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الادب المفرد
Adab al-Mufrad
كتاب
Book of Good Treatment of Servants
بَابُ لا يَقُولُ: عَبْدِي
Chapter: Do Not Say: "My Slave"
Al-Adab al-Mufrad 209 — Do Not Say: "My Slave"
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللهِ قَالَ: حَدَّثَنِي ابْنُ أَبِي حَازِمٍ، عَنِ الْعَلاَءِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: ”لَا يَقُلْ أَحَدُكُمْ: عَبْدِي، أَمَتِي، كُلُّكُمْ عَبِيدُ اللهِ، وَكُلُّ نِسَائِكُمْ إِمَاءُ اللهِ، وَلْيَقُلْ: غُلاَمِي، جَارِيَتِي، وَفَتَايَ، وَفَتَاتِي.“
Narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "None of you should say to (his male slave) «عبدي» and to (his female slave) «امتي», because you are all slaves of Allah and all your women are bondwomen of Allah. Rather, you should say: my slave, my bondwoman, my young man, and my young woman."
Explanation & Benefits
Shaykh Maulana Usman Muneeb
Benefits and Issues:
In the Arabic language, there are several words used for a slave, among which is "abd" as well. However, calling someone "my abd" (my slave) carries a very pronounced sense of arrogance and superiority, which is why the Shariah has commanded to avoid using such a word, because in reality, all are slaves of Allah. As for the other words, they are sometimes used even for free persons. "Fata" and "fataah" can be translated as servant (male) and maidservant (female).
In summary, one should not address anyone with such titles that convey arrogance and a sense of superiority, for this is befitting only for Allah Ta'ala.
In the Arabic language, there are several words used for a slave, among which is "abd" as well. However, calling someone "my abd" (my slave) carries a very pronounced sense of arrogance and superiority, which is why the Shariah has commanded to avoid using such a word, because in reality, all are slaves of Allah. As for the other words, they are sometimes used even for free persons. "Fata" and "fataah" can be translated as servant (male) and maidservant (female).
In summary, one should not address anyone with such titles that convey arrogance and a sense of superiority, for this is befitting only for Allah Ta'ala.
Source: Fadlullah al-Ahad: Urdu Commentary on al-Adab al-Mufrad, Page: 209
