What is the difference between al-ʿabīd (male slaves), al-mamālīk (male slaves), al-ʾimāʾ (female slaves), and al-jawārī (female slaves)?
Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported Sep 2, 2026
There is no distinction between 'abid' (slaves) and 'mamalik' (owned persons), nor between 'imaa' (female slaves) and 'jawari' (slave girls). This is evidenced by the prohibition against saying "my 'abd'" and "my 'amah'", and for the owned person to say "my master" and "my mistress," and the command to say "my lad" and "my lass" and "my سيد" (master) and "my سيدة" (mistress). This is also indicated by 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) referring to a veiled female slave as a 'jariyah'. The term 'jariyah' may also be applied to a young free girl.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/64957
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- Original fatwa ID
- 64957
- Imported
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