All of you are the slaves of Allah

Narrated Abu Huraira may Allah be pleased with him:

The Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "You should not say, 'Feed your lord (Rabbaka), help your lord in performing ablution, or give water to your lord, but should say, 'my master (e.g. Feed your master instead of lord etc.) (Saiyidi), or my guardian (Maulai), and one should not say, my slave (Abdi), or my girl-slave (Amati). All of you are slaves of Allah and all of your women are slaves of Allah.  Rather, he should say, my lad (Fatai), my lass (Fatati), and 'my boy (Ghulami).

An important lesson is taken from this Hadith; that is to search for the best and the most beneficial words on the one hand. On the other hand one must avoid what contradicts the proper manners of dealing with Allah and with people. One must be aware of the improper words that oppose the moral principles and the good traditions.

This requires a Muslim to be familiar with the vocabulary of the selected Arabic language which corresponds to the language of the righteous people. The true Muslim shall follow the ways of the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his companions in their conversations.

The law of Islam is a complete legislation, and a complete life style. It leaves nothing of the people`s interest without legislating the rules that protect it.

The companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them) learned from him how to deal with people, and how the Muslim chooses the words that do not hurt their feelings as stated in this Hadith.

The Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: " You should not say, 'Feed your lord (Rabbaka), help your lord in performing ablution, or give water to your lord, but should say, 'my master (e.g. Feed your master instead of lord etc.)'" This is one of the prophetic etiquettes to deal with Allah. This is to avoid addressing the servants with these descriptions which reflect humiliation on the part of the servants as well as pride and arrogance on the part of the master.

The one who feels shy from Allah, would not ever utter these words. All of us are servants of Allah - Blessed and Exalted - and all of our women are his female servants. We knew that according to the natural inclination, and believed in it wholeheartedly with no doubt.

The Messenger of Allah (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) taught us what to say when we speak to them. He (may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) instructed us to address them with the words: " my lad (Fatai), my lass (Fatati)." These words speak of love, The speaker experiences the tenderness of the feelings and the kindness of the good sense with Allah and then with the people. As well it aims to discipline the soul, so that it will be cleansed of its arrogance and to submit to the greatness of the Creator.

Islam has been very careful to abolish slavery but in a quiet and purposeful manner, which has no negative effects on the economy, nor does it conflict with the justice. Rather, it is compatible with mercy and care of the interests of slaves in their present and in the future.