Question:
Assalam u alayekum!
I am not still clear about the concept of female slaves in Islam. Does one have to pay meher to his female slave? Can slaves be bought in reward of money ? Whether this concept is applicable in the present age or not? (I am asking this because some people claim that its been going on like that and even today people from Islamic countries buy female slaves from relatively poor countries i.e Afghanistan, Bangladesh etc and keep relationship with them and they say that it is permissible to do so since they are our slaves now.)
Waiting for your detailed guidance in this regard.
Shukran
Answer:
`Alaykum as-Salam,
In the absence of a lawful sultan who sells or places war captives into slavery there are no slaves. If true, the scenario described is in actuality forced zina (fornication), i.e. rape and – if victims are remunerated – forced prostitution. Our refuge is in Allah from such crimes.
Hajj Gibril Haddad
