Slavery and Islam

Name: Slavery and Islam
Brand: Allen & Unwin
SKU: 9781786078391
Price: 97.0 NZD
Availability: InStock

By Jonathan A.C. Brown

0.0 (0 reviews)

4.16

( 335 ratings, 70 reviews)

Summary

Slavery and Islam by Jonathan A.C. Brown delves into the challenging moral and theological issues surrounding slavery within Islamic tradition and its historical practices. The book explores how Islam viewed slavery in theory, contrasts this with its diverse historical realities, and examines Muslim arguments for abolition. It situates these discussions within the broader context of how major religions have grappled with slavery, especially in modern times when it is universally condemned, highlighting the tension between venerating religious authority and confronting past injustices.
Read More

Format: Paperback / softback

$97⁰⁰

International Supplier

This title is in-stock with overseas suppliers. While it is not available locally, we fly books in weekly from the US and UK to our Auckland warehouse for immediate dispatch.

AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 2-3 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Slavery and Islam

$97⁰⁰

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is well suited for students, scholars, and readers interested in religion, history, ethics, and Islamic studies, especially those looking to understand complex intersections between faith and slavery.

A thorough exploration of slavery from the perspective of Islam’s authoritative texts as well as moral and philosophical debates on the subject

A thorough exploration of slavery from the perspective of Islam’s authoritative texts as well as moral and philosophical debates on the subject

Description

What happens when authorities you venerate condone something you know is wrong?

Every major religion and philosophy once condoned or approved of slavery, but in modern times, nothing is seen as more evil. Americans confront this crisis of authority when they erect statues of Founding Fathers who slept with their slaves. Muslims faced it when ISIS revived sex-slavery, justifying it with verses from the Quran and the practice of Muhammad.

Exploring the moral and ultimately theological problem of slavery, Jonathan A.C. Brown traces how the Christian, Jewish, and Islamic traditions have tried to reconcile modern moral certainties with the infallibility of God’s message. He lays out how Islam viewed slavery in theory and the reality of how it was practised across Islamic civilization. Finally, Brown carefully examines arguments put forward by Muslims for the abolition of slavery.

Slavery and Islam provides a thorough examination of these challenging and controversial issues.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Reviews praise Slavery and Islam as a scholarly yet accessible work that tackles a difficult subject with depth and clarity. The Literary Review acknowledges it raises important unresolved questions, while The Economist highlights its insight into the moral dilemmas posed by historic authority. The Journal of Islamic Ethics calls it a must-read for those interested in slavery and religion. Sherman A. Jackson commends the book as courageous and comprehensive, predicting it will be widely debated and influential.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781786078391

Publisher: Oneworld Publications

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 October 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Oneworld Academic

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 33.0mm

Width: 146.0mm

Height: 225.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 448

Collections

Education & Reference History & Archaeology History & Military Jonathan A.C. Brown Non-Fiction Religion & Spirituality

About the Author

Jonathan A.C. Brown is Assistant Professor of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Washington, Seattle.

Also by Jonathan A.C. Brown

View all

Pre-order

Justice and Islamic Law

By Jonathan A.C. Brown

Hardback

$69⁹⁹

Pre-order
Out 30 Jun 2026