لطفا منتظر باشید ...
Publisher's Preface to the First Edition
Slavery is one of the oldest evils of society which defied the attempts of
reformers for so many centuries. Ancient civilisations could not eradicate slavery, so
they compromised with it. Some of these civilisations even patronised slavery. The
Christian churches participated in slave-trade. Their priests blessed the ships carrying
human cargo and admonished the slaves to be obedient, but never urged the masters to be
kind. As late as 1970, Roman Catholics purchased 1500 Indian girls because European girls
did not like to live as nuns. Among all the religions it was only Islam that attacked the
very foundations of this evil. But it is the irony of the history that the people who
nourished slavery, supported it, and derived benefit from it, later became champions of
its abolition.
'Allamah Sayyid Sa'eed Akhtar Rizvi, the Chief Missionary of Bilal
Muslim Mission of Tanzania has very ably and painstakingly written this book. Like a
research scholar that he is, he has objectively treated the theme of this book. He has
marshalled fact after fact from history; quoted from the Holy Qur'an, the traditions, and
contemporary writers on the subject; and cited Islamic and ancient laws. He has clearly
and vividly shown that Western civilisation is not so great a champion of emancipation of
slaves as it poses to be. In fact this book will prove to he an eye-opener for those who
blindly nod in approval to the propaganda about Western humanism.
Peermahomed Ebrahim Trust proudly presents this volume to the readers and
hopes that it will gain approval of the public.
Trustees,
Peermahomed Ebrahim Trust Karachi, Pakistan
15 Jamadi I, 1392
27 June, 1972
Author's Preface To The Second Edition
This book was written on the request of late Haji Hasanali P. Ebrahim, who
published it from Peermahomed Ebrahim Trust, Karachi, in 1972. It went out of stock very
soon, but the demand continues. Responding to that demand, my son, Hujjatul Islam Sayyid
Muhammad Rizvi has now prepared this second edition.
Some minor changes have been made in chapters' arrangement; paragraphs
have been added here and there; and my son has prepared the foot-notes which has enhanced
the academic value of the book. May Allah grant him long life and strength him to serve
the cause of true Islam with sincerity.
I am also thankful to all the friends who have contributed in any way to
this publication.
S. S. A. Rizvi
Gopalpur (India)
28 November, 1987.
