Concubinage - in Islamic Theology

In Islamic Theology

Islamic primary sources the Quran and the Sunnah declare that concubinage is permitted (halal) under strict conditions. Chapter four (Sura-e-Nisa), verse three of the Quran states that a man may be married to a maximum of four women if he can treat them fairly. Islamic rights for concubines ensure fair treatment within the household, and promise living expenses for concubines and their children. A Muslim man who could ensure equitable financial support for multiple spouses was allowed as many concubines as he pleased, in addition to the prescribed four wives.

Islam considers every human free from birth (Deen-e-Fitrat), and considers concubinage acceptable as a social need only under certain guidelines. Children of concubines must be considered as legitimate as children born in wedlock. All children must receive living and education expenses until they become independent. Modern women rarely wish to become concubines; therefore, debates about the rights of concubines are largely irrelevant. Chattel employment is currently regarded as inappropriate in Islam.

Two sources for concubines were permitted under an Islamic regime. Primarily, non-Muslim women taken as prisoners of war were made concubines. Islam forbade raping concubines captured in wars, encouraging their keeping in Muslim households where they could be motivated to embrace Islam by affectionate and humanitarian treatment. Alternately, an agreement between a man and a woman could mold their relationship into concubinage when it was an acceptable social practice. In Turkey, an odalisque could "train" to become a concubine.

The Sunnah reports that Muhammad had two or three concubines during his life. Umm-ul-Momineen (Mother of Muslims) Rehana was a prisoner of war whom Muhammad kept as a concubine after the battle against the tribe of Bani Qariza (Ghazwa-e-Bani Qariza). Umm-ul-Momineen (Mother of Muslims) Maria Qibtia is reported to be another concubine given to Muhammad by King Maqooqas in response to his letter inviting him to Islam. King Maqooqas, in appreciation for the invitation, gave two concubines (Maria Qibtia and her sister, Sirin) two horses. Muhammad kept Umm-ul-Momineen (Mother of Muslims) Maria Qibtia as a concubine. Both Rehana and Maria Qibtia were granted equivalent status in the prestigious Muslim household to the other wives (Ummahat-ul-Momineen), the highest rank in Arab society that a woman could have. It was a change for Arabs to award to concubines (slave women) status equivalent to wives. Muhammad did so to set an example of equality. This measure by Muhammad was necessary to curb the tradition in Arab society of misusing servants as concubines and later refuting their rights and those of their children. Muhammad promoted his concubines Maria Qibtia and Rehana as Umm-ul-Momineen (Mother of all Muslims), awarding them the same household rights, privileges and status as he did for his wives. That was how Islam discouraged unjust attitudes and customs concerning slaves and concubines.

Muhammad and the concubine Maria Qibtia had a son, named Ibrahim. After the birth of Ibrahim, the other wives of Muhammad alleged that Ibrahim was not his son. As a result, Chapter 66 (Sura-e-Tahreem) of the Quran instructed Muhammad to divorce his wife for maliciously defaming Maria Qibtia. This is how Islam equated a slave and a free human, as justice demanded. Sura-e-Tahreem advised Muhammad to warn Ayesha Bint-e-Abu-Bakr not to envy Maria Qibtia in the future. God (Allah) reinforced the significance of reserving and maintaining rights and equality for concubines in Arab society; earlier they were used for sexual pleasure, without economic security or respect. The above-mentioned reports are adopted from authentic sources explaining Shia and Sunni Islam.

In a legend shared with Jewish tradition, Hajra (Hagar) was the "handmaiden" of the prophet Abraham. At the directive of God (Allah), Abraham took Hagar as a concubine with the consent of his wife Sarah (who was infertile, according to Islamic sources). Hajra gave birth to the prophet Ismail (the forefather of Muhammad), and Abraham ensured due rights to his concubine and her son.

According to the rules of Islamic Fiqas, what is halal (permitted) by Muhammad cannot be altered by any authority or individual. Therefore, although the concept of concubinage is halal concubines are no longer permitted. Although a change of Islamic law is impossible, if there a concubine in the modern era she must be given all the due rights which Islam has preserved in the past. Domestic and female employees are not concubines and sex is forbidden, unless nikah mut'ah is begun with mutual consent. Every adult unmarried woman reserves the right to accept concubinage for her employer without coercion or force, but Islamic scholars are in consensus that for sexual relations nikah mut'ah should be adopted instead of concubinage.