Muslim Slave System in Medieval India c16.7

c16.7

From the teachings of the Quran quoted above, it will be seen that while Muhammad restricted the number of lawful wives, he did not restrict the number of slave girls and concubines.⁵ All female slaves taken as plunder in war are the lawful property of their master, and the master has power to take to himself any female slave married or single. T.P. Hughes adds that there is absolutely no limit to the number of slave girls with whom a Muhammadan may cohabit, and it is the *consecration* of this illimitable indulgence which so popularizes the Muhammadan religion amongst uncivilized nations, and so popularizes slavery in the Muslim religion.⁶