Slavery is permitted in Islam. Slaves captured in war become the property of the victor. Just like any property, they could be sold or transferred. The owner has every right over the body and soul of his slave men and women. In Islamic countries slavery was practiced as late as only a few years ago. It was a flourishing trade. Christian and Jewish women were prized items. African slaves were good for labor. Many were castrated (although castration of Moslems is banned in Islam) and employed as eunuchs in the harems. The slave market of Mecca, located very near the shrine of Kaaba, was closed down very recently due to the pressure of public opinion abroad.

Then there were the janissaries. These were the Christian youths captured by the Turks and forced to become Moslems and join the ranks of the Islamic army, after circumcision. Usually, as can be easily imagined, the slaves had a very rough time. Slavery went hand in hand with slaughter as one could have the slaves only by killing the husbands or fathers and brothers of the prospective slave men and women.

The Armenians had been massacred many times by the Turks in unspeakable butcheries. The survivors were taken as prisoners and sold in the slave markets of Aleppo. These captives were stripped naked, both men and women, lashed with whips and forced to run before the horses. Those who fell behind were stabbed to death on the way and the roads were Covered with Armenian dead bodies.

Female slaves or concubines were kept in the 'harems' for sexual gratification. The codes of conduct of a Moslem Vis-a-vis women that we often hear about, are really meant for Moslem women and have nothing to do with a Moslem's behavior with a kafir's wife or mother. Infidel women are beyond the limits set by the holy book. In Islamic societies even a wedded wife is treated as personal property comparable to gold, silver and land. They are veiled and hidden from public view if they happen to be wives. jut the concubines are circulated as gifts among the friends.

The afternoon siestas of the Sheikhs of Arab countries and their sexual escapades with slave women or concubines, are common knowledge. If the master, for whatever reason takes the life of a slave or maims him or her for life, there is no one to question him for the laws of Islam, the 'Sharia' have given the believers unlimited right over the person of the slave.