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December 23, 2005
WHAT IS SLAVERY?
I seek refuge in Allah from satan the rejected.
In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.
A few months ago, a South African white farmer, whose black employee asked to quit the job, got enraged, and took him to a lion’s den where he threw him over the fence, to become their meal. The white farmer turned a deaf ear to the frantic pleas of the black employee pleading for his life. Did the employee show any aggression or intimidation towards the owner / farmer? His only fault was to use the God-given right to change jobs in order to advance in life; therefore, he refused to work for this white farmer anymore. He did not realize that his white employer had taken control over his life as a SLAVE, though he had not bought him to be classified as an “owner”, The boss denied his request to quit the job – in his rage, he decided to teach him an unforgettable lesson – one that the people of the world would see and remember. The SLAVE victim’s bones and skull were recovered from the lion’s den later on, after he had been devoured by the animals.
The people and the countries on earth have maintained silence to this heinous crime. I have not heard anything from the United Nations or the Human Rights Groups, either. It seems as if the “human life” is not treasured, or worth anything – especially when it is a non-white person who is the victim. The conscience of the people to disregard and ignore this sad, unjustifiable aggression against an innocent, poor and a helpless man is unconscionable.
Imagine if a black person had delivered the same treatment and fate to a white person. It would have caused uproar around many countries and would have been front page news. In this case, the black person would have been labeled as cruel, inhuman, animalistic – and much more. As this incident happened in a country known for its history of apartheid, racial segregation, and injustice towards black people; and the crime was committed by a white person, it went unnoticed by the media on earth. Such is the nature of injustice that surrounds the human minds.
The aggressor and murderer, a white farmer, was endowed with power and money, which he recklessly used against a powerless, innocent and a poor human being. The definition of “slavery” is given in the Quran, through verses 16:75-76. These verses explain the difference between a slave and a believing master, owner, or employer.
16:75 GOD cites the example of a slave who is owned, and is totally powerless, compared to one whom we blessed with good provisions, from which he gives to charity, secretly and publicly. Are they equal? Praise be to GOD, most of them do not know.
16:76 And GOD cites the example of two men: one is dumb, lacks the ability to do anything, is totally dependent on his master – whichever way he directs him, he cannot produce anything good. Is he equal to one who rules with justice, and is guided in the right path?
Revealed: The Allah letters are 34 and 35, revealing the diff. of 1 – revealing the profound system of GOD, who has blessed some humans over others, and has set the laws in place to follow. GOD will teach us the meaning of “equal”.
The numbers 1 and 1 are equal; 2 and 2 are equal; 5 and 5 are equal; 20 and 20 are equal, and so on. So you know what equal means now. When you place two identical things or values of the same denomination, they are considered equal. Now examine the above 2 verses and appreciate what GOD is going to show you, to prove the meaning of the word “EQUAL”.
16:75 says, in the verse: “ARE THEY EQUAL”
Revealed: The Arabic letters up to this word are precisely, 77, revealing the Seven Pairs.
16:76 says, in the verse: “IS HE EQUAL”
Revealed: The Arabic letters up to this word are precisely, 77, revealing the Seven Pairs.
You have just witnessed the Miracle of God defining the meaning of the word, “EQUAL”, whereby the Arabic letters in each verse are MATCHED to equal 77 and
77. Such is the PERFECTNESS of GOD, MOST WISE. Glory be to Him.
GOD is the ONE who created the ranks amongst the humans, in order to test them against each other. Some are blessed and provided for, more than others. Slavery is mentioned in the Quran – it is within God’s system, though the treatment of slaves is regulated by GOD. Murder is not permissible in Islam. The taking of a human life is only allowed in the course of justice – to execute or kill a human who is proven to have killed another human, but is decided by the victim’s family, who can also opt for a financial compensation instead of taking the life of the murderer. Notice that
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in verse 16:76, GOD mentions: “a believing person will rule with justice, as he is guided in the right path”. Let me show you the Miracle behind this statement of GOD. You have seen the meaning of “equality”, and now you will see what it means to “rule with justice”, over your slaves, servants, or employees.
16:76 Part: “One who rules with justice,” 16:76 Part: “And is guided in the right path.”
Revealed: The Arabic letters in each part are 15 and 15 – MATCHING: “those who are guided by GOD will weigh and balance the justice, in accordance with GOD’S laws”.
Revealed: The messenger's letters in each part are 9 and 9 – MATCHING, and revealing the System of GOD, whereby He guides the messengers to rule with justice.
The last part of 16:75 also informs us that “most people” do not know the diff. between owner and slave. Therefore, they are not even aware and conscious of the diff. between “freedom of choice, or forced belief”, and much more. Consistently, God refers to the majority of the humans as being unaware, ignorant, arrogant, evil, and disbelievers. Witness the last portion of this verse confirming God’s testimony.
16:75 Part: Are they equal? Praise be to GOD, most of them do not know.
Revealed: The GV of Allah letters is 228, a multiple of 19.
Revealed: The GV of messenger's letters is 532, a multiple of 14 & 19. This confirms that “most people” surely do not know, but believers know the difference.
Because of the extreme variations of human ranks, whereby GOD has created those who are privileged in material wealth and the have-nots, those who are knowledgeable and the illiterate, those who are healthy and strong and those who are weak and handicapped, those who are the oppressors and the oppressed, those who are leaders in a controlling position and the ones who follow them – the system is designed to test all the individuals as well as all the groups.
GOD has defined a “slave” as being owned and totally powerless: they are powerless because they do not enjoy the privileges of free speech, freedom of movement, freedom to choose careers or advance in life, freedom to marry – they lack all the freedoms normally enjoyed by other humans. Moreover, they are under the complete control of their owner.
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Not too long ago, the slaves used to be sold in an open market, at a negotiated price between the seller and the buyer. The eager and anxious owners bought them, and made them work like animals, mistreated them, and manipulated them in every way possible. As most of these owners were not guided by GOD, their ruling and treatment of the slaves was not through His laws. Acts of adultery were performed with female slaves. Though slavery has been officially abolished and outlawed in many countries against God’s laws, it continues unabated under a different guise. The word “slavery” has taken over different forms; it has always existed and will continue to exist, under different names and methods. Here are a few different ways that we see it exist.
The recent trends of a different kind of slavery practiced through absolute and manipulative control over other human beings is on children from poorer countries. These children are sold and used as sex slaves, for begging and collecting charities for their masters, for child labor to increase the profits of the business owners. The women and children are especially vulnerable. The practice of “honor killing” of women and the burning of the brides, by the men is repulsive, inhumane, and cruel. Others employed as household servants are also manipulated to work long hours without adequate wages, though hiring of servants is permissible in Islam.
There is a lot of inequity and inequality among the people of various countries. The countries blessed with abundance of resources, technology, power, influence, and wealth; deliberately misuse these blessings against the entire populations of weaker and poorer countries. The misuse occurs when they dictate and enslave these people politically, economically, socially, militarily, including controlling their resources and the availability of markets to sell their products. Another way to control the populations is to pick and choose their leaders or support the leaders acceptable to the powerful countries, thus depriving them of true democracy and freedom of speech.
Such hand-picked leaders by foreign powers follow the dictates and wishes of their masters and against the interests of ordinary people and their country. Another way is to advance loans at high interest rates, which become difficult to pay back; when they suffer, they are further advanced more loans to permanently put them in the list of debtor and bankrupt nations. They thus lose all political and diplomatic clout and say in world affairs. Economic and trade sanctions are another way to cut of trade, agriculture, technology, machinery, etc. to deprive, starve, strangulate, and weaken the entire populations of poorer countries. Once weakened by sanctions, their resources of oil, minerals, agriculture, and everything else is then controlled by the powerful nations. These methods are routinely practiced by powerful countries against weaker countries.
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Spying has become another way for the privileged countries to monitor, from within, and from outside the borders, of poorer countries. This method keeps the rich countries informed of the progress and development – political, economic, and military – to effectively pre-empt actions and to counter, deter and stop their progress.
Thus, all of this is done in violation of GOD’S laws to prevent the progress and peace of others, out of jealousy and sheer resentment that GOD should bestow His grace and mercy upon whomever He chooses. The unjustifiable, selfish, and aggressive behavior of individuals, groups or countries against the innocent and unsuspecting people is driven by motivation from satan. The disbelieving humans exploit, extort, manipulate, and take advantage of the weaker ones, to advance their agendas, goals – real or perceived – at the expense of others. Such humans, individually, or collectively as a group or country, are possessed by the devils, as the Quranic verses inform us. Those who do not believe fully, fall into the other group, defined by GOD as the aggressors, the arrogant, the evil, the doubtful, and the disbelievers. This group does not have any LORD or MASTER, which is ALLAH; therefore, they are taken over readily by the enemy of ALLAH, which is satan and his offspring.
Where is the good side of humanity and why do we not hear or see that? Why are the newspapers and T.V. coverage full of bad and heart-breaking news all the time? Why does a human inflict such cruel behavior and punishments upon another human, made of flesh and blood, who feels the pain just as they feel? The answer lies in GOD’S system, at the doorsteps of satan, through the verses I shall now present as “pairs of verses”, to show the proven revelations of the MOST WISE.
7:16 He said, (satan) “Since You have willed that I go astray, I will skulk for them on Your straight path.
7:17 “I (satan) will come to them from before them, and from behind them, and from their right, and from their left, and You will find that most of them are unappreciative.”
Revealed: The Aleefs are 5 and 6, revealing the diff. of 1 – The challenge to ALLAH’S Absolute Authority by satan to corrupt, mislead, entice, preach evil and lead the descendants of Adam astray was agreed upon by ALLAH, for reasons known only to HIM. Note that the verse tells us that satan comes to humans from before and behind them, from their right and their left – this means the disbelieving humans’ actions and deeds is fully “surrounded” and influenced by satan.
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THE MOST POWERFUL LORD PROCLAIMED HIS DECISION
7:17 (satan said) I will come to them from before them, and from behind them, and from their right, and from their left, and You will that most of them are unappreciative.”
7:18 (Allah said) He said, “Get out therefrom, despised and defeated. Those among them who follow you, I will fill HELL with you all.”
Revealed: The Aleefs are 6 and 8, revealing the diff. of 2 – the challenge to GOD’S Absolute Authority resulted in 2 gods – ALLAH and satan. The whole system of God and His revealed words over time are based on these historical facts, and the laws and teachings of God reflect this. You can either believe in GOD, and what He commands to do, or “satan” becomes your lord. There is a choice to be made between the two – GOD - the Living, Eternal, Infinite, Creator, Omnipotent, Almighty, OR satan – powerless, temporary, cannot create, cannot provide, and cannot help himself or his followers on the Day of Judgment, from the Fire of Hell.
Revealed: The Allah letters are 16 and 15, revealing the diff. of 1 – (Why did God give Revelation of 1, after giving the Revelation of 2 above?). This tells us that “satan” did not challenge the Existence or the Omnipresence of GOD, but only challenged His Absolute Authority to command and control, as He willed. Nor did he challenge the “Sovereignty” of GOD over the universe.
The command to the angels to fall prostrate before Adam, came from the “God” called “ALLAH”, therefore, all His name letters are used in this pair of verse to reveal the diff. of 1. Everything, therefore, is happening in accordance with GOD’S will. It was His will to let the “challenge” happen, and it is also His will to let the disbelieving humans do the worst crimes in order to pay them back severely on the Day of Resurrection. The Allah letters in the sequence of 16 and 15, further bear testimony to His profound mathematical Code, as 16,15 = 19 x 85.
What is the number “85” made up of? The name of the Creator, ALLAH is 66, He is ONE, (Wahid) 19, the sum is therefore, 85. Praise be to the Omnipotent. This number opens the “key” to chapter 85 in the Quran, where the last 2 verses are marked and stamped with the Creator’s Signature to end the chapter.
85:21 Indeed, it is a glorious Quran. 85:22 In a preserved master tablet.
Revealed: The Allah letters are precisely 4, to match the letters in His Name, ALLAH.
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Revealed: The GV of Allah letters is also precisely 66, to match His name, ALLAH.
Revealed: The messenger's letters are also matched as 7 and 7, to reveal the SEVEN PAIRS, and to confirm the revelations given to me, which were pre-ordained before the messenger's birth, and are preserved in GOD’S MASTER RECORD IN THE HEAVEN. Glory and Praise be to GOD.
Revealed: Note, that the remaining verses to the end of the Quran from 85:22 are precisely 306, being the GV of the messenger's full name, Makbool Husain. This kind of inscription and proof from the Creator of the High Heavens and the Earth should remove any doubts the humans may have about GOD’S message, delivered through a human being like themselves.
Revealed: The number 85 opens the “key” to another fact and the truth of the Quran. There are a total of 114 chapters, and the diff. between 85 and 114 is precisely 29, therefore, the chapters starting with Quranic Initials are only
29. On the other hand, the “key” opens and reveals another Miracle - 85 chapters have the mentions of His name – “ALLAH”, while 29 chapters do not. Both Miracles of Quranic Initials and Allah’s name are split in the same manner: 85 and 29, to total 114. These numbers will further reveal both the Sacred Codes:
85 + 29 = 114, a multiple of 19.
85 – 29 = 56, a multiple of 14, Alhumdo Lillah.
If GOD willed, that I apply the “key” further, the topic of His miracles will continue forever. Glory be to Him. Earlier on, I said in this sermon, that “slavery” is within God’s system. I do not see a verse warning the owners of slaves that they will go to Hell, except if they disobeyed His laws. Instead, He has devised this system for the “believers” to benefit through the “atonement of their sins”. By releasing or freeing a slave, you can atone for your sins, as mentioned in the verses. This is a highly charitable act to offer money to the owner of the slave, in order to free him / her from the bondage of slavery.
Slavery is within the System of GOD
5:89 GOD does not hold you responsible for the mere utterance of oaths. He holds you responsible for your actual intentions. If you violate an oath, you shall atone by feeding ten poor people from the same food you offer to your own family, or clothing them, or by freeing a slave. If you cannot afford this, then you shall fast three days. This is the atonement for violating the oaths that you swore to
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keep. You shall fulfill your oaths. GOD thus explains His revelations to you, that you may be appreciative.
4:92 No believer shall kill another believer, unless it is an accident. If one kills a believer by accident, he shall atone by freeing a believing slave, and paying a compensation to the victim’s family, unless they forfeit such a compensation as a charity. If the victim belonged to people who at war with you, though he was a believer, you shall atone by freeing a believing slave. If he belonged to people with whom you have signed a peace treaty, you shall pay a compensation in addition to freeing a believing slave. If you cannot find a slave to free, you shall atone by fasting two consecutive months, in order to be redeemed by GOD. GOD is Knower, Most Wise.
Distribution System for Charities
9:60 Charities shall go to the poor, the needy, the workers who collect them, the new converts, to free the slaves, to those burdened by sudden expenses, in the cause of GOD, and to the traveling alien. Such is GOD’S commandment. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.
90:12 Which one is the difficult path?
90:13 The freeing of the slaves.
***The believers cannot “free” the slaves, to work righteousness, if there are no slaves to be freed.
Marriage Laws
4:25 Those among you who cannot afford to marry free believing women, may marry believing slave women. GOD knows best about your belief, and you are equal to one another, as far as belief is concerned. You shall obtain permission from their guardians before you marry them, and pay them their due dowry equitably. They shall maintain moral behavior, by not committing adultery, or having secret lovers. Once they are freed through marriage, if they commit adultery, their punishment shall be half that for the free women. Marrying a slave shall be a last resort for those unable to wait. To be patient is better for you. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
***The two categories of women are given in the verse – the free and the slave women. One of the ways the slave women are freed is through marriage, but God advises the believing men to marry slave women only as a last option. All the laws of
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God are applicable, such as taking permission from the guardians of slave women, paying them their dowries, and not having adultery before marrying them. Note, if the slave woman commits adultery, her punishment is only half of the free believing woman. This should make everyone aware that the price of freedom carries a higher penalty and punishment for breaking God’s laws, here on Earth, and in the Hereafter.
58:3 Those who estrange their wives in this manner, then reconcile thereafter, shall atone by freeing a slave before resuming their sexual relations. This is to enlighten you. GOD is Cognizant of everything you do.
58:4 If you cannot find a slave to free, you shall fast two consecutive months before resuming sexual relations. If you cannot fast, then you shall feed sixty poor people. You shall believe in GOD and His messenger. These are GOD’s laws. The disbelievers have incurred a painful retribution.
Righteousness Defined
2:177 Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the east or the west. Righteous are those who believe in GOD, the Last Day, the angels, the scripture, and the prophets; and they give the money, cheerfully, to the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the traveling alien, the beggars, and to free the slaves; and they observe the Salat (Contact Prayers) and give the Zakat (the obligatory charity); and they keep their word whenever they make a promise; and they steadfastly persevere in the face of persecution, hardship, and war. These are the truthful; these are the righteous.
Groups or countries enslaving the people
23:45 Then we sent Moses and his brother Aaron with our revelations and a profound proof.
23:46 To Pharaoh and his elders, but they turned arrogant. They were oppressive people.
23:47 They said, “Shall we believe for two men whose people are our slaves?” 23:48 They rejected the two, and consequently, they were annihilated.
Through the Quranic verses, it is proven, that “slavery” is permissible according to God’s laws, but the owners have to rule with justice and in accordance with God’s laws. It is a test for the owners of slaves; and a test for the believers whether they follow God’s commands to atone for their sins by freeing the slaves or not; and whether they give their charities to the slaves or not. If the disbelieving humans abolish “slavery”, then the verses from the Quran cannot be applied and practiced.
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Nowhere does God advocate mistreatment, cruel, inhumane behavior, adultery, or the killing of the slaves. It simply means that you “own” a person, as you “bought” it by paying money. Similarly, you own other things in life, for which you paid money to buy them. Verse 16:76 governs the believers in their conduct and treatment of the slaves.
Peace be upon the messengers.
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Universe.