Ma malakat aymanukum
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The term Ma malakat aymanukum is traditionally considered to refer to prisoners of war, or more broadly to slaves in general, according to the usual tafsirs (e.g. Ibn Kathir); however, some (e.g. Muhammad Asad) have proposed alternative explanations, whereby it would mean "one's rightful spouse"[1].
[edit] Overview
The term maa malakat aymanukum (that is, "what your right hands possess" or "anything owned blessed to you") occurs 14 times in the Qur'an, in the following Arabic forms:
- ما ملكت أيمانكم
- ما ملكت أيمانهم
- ما ملكت أيمانهن
- ما ملكت يمينك
- الذين ملكت أيمانكم
It is most often used with reference to women, but is applied to both sexes and possibily anything, not necessary have to be a person.
Most Muslim scholars agree the term indicating it as a slave is obsolete with a society that abolished slavery, and hence it is inappropriate to apply it to a society without slavery. [2]
[edit] "Ma malakat aymanukum" in the Qur'an
The main points about "those whom one's right hands possess" in the Qur'an are:
[edit] No maximum limit
Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi writes in his discussion on Slave girls in his Tafsir of this verse <ref>Tahfeem ul Qur'an Volume 2 pages 112-113 footnote 44</ref>:
| The maximum limit of four has not been prescribed for slave girls as is the case of wives for the simple reason that the number of female prisoners of war is unpredictable. But the lack of limit does by no means provide a license for the well to do people to have any number of slave girls for licentious purposes. |
[edit] A believer may have sex with them
al-Muminun 6 and al-Maarij 30 both, in identical wording, draw a distinction between spouses and "those whom one's right hands possess", saying " أَزْوَاجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُمْ" (literally, "their spouses or what their right hands possess"), while clarifying that sex with either is permissible. Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi explains that "two categories of women have been excluded from the general command of guarding the private parts: (a) wives, (b) women who are legally in one's possession". [3]
an-Nisa 24 can be interpreted either as explaining that "those whom one's right hands possess" are the only category of women with whom one may have sex even if they are already married, or as using the term to refer to one's own wife as opposed to others' wives. The phrasing in the rest of that verse could be read in isolation either as excepting or as including "those whom one's right hands possess" among those to whom one must give a dowry "for the enjoyment you have of them." The following verse adds that a believer, if he cannot afford to marry a chaste believer and cannot restrain his desires, may marry a believing girl who is chaste (not a fornicator or an adulteress) from among "those whom your right hands possess", giving due dowry to her household (literally "household", but translated by some as "owner" or "master"); if the woman so married commits indecency, the punishment is half that for chaste women. (To keep this verse from contradicting itself, the translators understand "chaste"—محصنات muhsanat—as meaning "free" in the general case, but "chaste" when referring to the slave.) an-Nisa 3 also confirms that a believer may marry "that which your right hands possess", particularly if he fears that he will deal unjustly otherwise. al-Ahzab 50 confirms that, literally, "what your hand has taken from what God has assigned you" (understood by most translators as "from among the prisoners of war") are also permissible for the Prophet just as are his wives, and female cousins who emigrated with him, and believing women who wish to marry him, a point emphasised by al-Ahzab 52, which says that no other women than those mentioned are allowed him, even if their beauty pleases him, except those "whom his right hand possesses".
[edit] A believing woman need not cover herself before them
An-Nur 30–33, in the course of laying down the familiar dress code of Islam, explains that women "should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty" except to various familiar people, including those "whom their right hands possess". Al-Ahzab 55 makes it explicit that the same liberty is given to the Prophet's wives.
[edit] They should ask permission to see one if one is likely to be undressed
an-Nur 58 says that "those whom your right hands possess" and underage children should ask a believer's permission (before they come to their presence) at the three times of day when one is likely to be undressed.
[edit] The behavior of the fortunate towards them is a metaphor for God's towards man
an-Nahl 71 and ar-Rum 28 both use the same metaphor: just as the fortunate among people do not share their wealth with "those whom their right hands possess" to the point of making them equals, nor fear them as they fear each other, so does God with people, bestowing more on some than others, but never making them equals, let alone fearing them.
[edit] A believer should be good to them
An-Nisa 36 reminds us that a believer should do good to a variety of people, including "what your right hands possess", for the love of God.
[edit] They should be freed if they are good
Verse 24:33 of the Qur'an states "...if any of your slaves ask for a deed in writing (to enable them to earn their freedom for a certain sum), give them such a deed if ye know any good in them: yea, give them something yourselves out of the means which Allah has given to you."
[edit] They should not be forced into prostitution if they desire chastity
Verse 24:33 also states, "But force not your maids to prostitution when they desire chastity, in order that ye may make a gain in the goods of this life. But if anyone compels them, yet, after such compulsion, is Allah, Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (to them)".
[edit] Traditional Sunni and Shi'a viewpoint
According to all four Sunni madhhabs and Shi'a islam, the rights and duties of those "right hand possessions" are as follows:
- Juridically they were considered as property or at least the responsibility of their master.
- They could not marry or divorce without their masters permission.
- Her master had the right to dissolve her marriage if he did not approve it.
- Her master was allowed to have sex with her if she was unmarried, to fulfill sexual needs.
As soon as she was impregnated by her master, her status changed to "mudabbar", which entitled her to additional rights:
- She was entitled to the same treatment as the master's regular wives.
- Her offspring were considered as legitimate children of her master, i.e. they were not slaves anymore.
- She could not be sold to others.
- After his death she was manumitted and enjoyed the same treatment as other wives, e.g. she got an equal share in the inheritance.
[edit] Alternative viewpoints
A minority group <ref>[4]</ref> rejects this traditional interpretation as a falsification of later centuries which is at odds with the Qur'an. According to them, the Qur'anic references to ma malakat amaynukum refer to fiancees <ref>[5]</ref> rather than slaves.
[edit] List
A list of Ma malakat aymanukum include:
- Salim Mawla Abu Hudhayfah
- Safiyya bint Huyayy <ref>Safiyya bint Huyayy was breafly a Ma malakat aymanukum until she was set free and married Muhammad.</ref>
- Maria al-Qibtiyya — initialy a concubine of Muhammad, some state that they married later on
- Abu Suhail an-Nafi [citation needed] — became a famous medieval Muslim scholar.
- The father of Hasan al-Basri [citation needed]
[edit] See also
- Nikah Mut'ah (Islamic "temporary marriage")
- Nikah Misyar
- Mamluk
[edit] Notes
<References/>
[edit] External links
[edit] Traditional Sunni viewpoints
- IslamOnline fatwa
- Fatwa: Intercourse with female prisoners of war
- Fatwa: What is a right hand servant? Do you have to be married to have one? How can you finalize it and get one and state this person as your right hand servant?
[edit] Traditional Shi'a viewpoints
[edit] Alternative Islamic viewpoints
- Rules of Engagement (free-minds.org)
- Ma malakat amaynukum (free-minds.org)
