As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim Christian and conservative, I find it critical to explore the hidden chapters of history, particularly those involving the intersection of Islam and the slave trades. While the Atlantic Slave Trade has been rightly condemned for its brutality, the lesser-known role of Islam in the Viking slave trade and other slave economies across Europe is often overlooked. Both historical truth and theological implications drive me to shed light on this uncomfortable topic.
Islam’s involvement in the Viking and Atlantic Slave Trades is well documented but rarely discussed in mainstream narratives. In the early days of Islamic expansion, slavery was not only permitted but was a significant part of the empire's economy, deeply ingrained in the fabric of Islamic society. Jihadist conquests often resulted in the capture of non-Muslims—be they Africans, Europeans, or Asians—who were then enslaved and sold throughout the expanding Islamic world.
One of the most intriguing and lesser-known aspects of this history is the relationship between the Vikings and Muslim merchants. Between the 8th and 11th centuries, the Vikings became notorious for their raids across Europe, looting monasteries and towns and capturing slaves. These slaves were often sold to Muslim buyers who were eager to replenish their harems and workforce as the Islamic empire's internal supply of white European slaves diminished after Muslim military setbacks in Europe, such as the defeat at the Battle of Tours in 732.
The Vikings, sensing the economic opportunity, entered the slave trade with full force. They would capture Slavic, Anglo-Saxon, and other Northern European peoples, then sell these slaves to Muslim merchants. Some of the Vikings' silk came from their Muslim trade partners, a vivid illustration of how interconnected these two worlds became, with Islam's demand for slaves feeding into Europe's raiding culture.
This disturbing reality also raises theological concerns. Islam's scriptures and Prophet Muhammad's own actions legitimized slavery, including sex slavery, which played a large role in Islamic harems. Historical records show Muhammad himself took slaves, including female captives, setting a precedent for his followers. As a Christian, the dignity of every human being as made in the image of God contradicts this foundational Islamic acceptance of slavery. To me, it illustrates the inherent dangers of any ideology that seeks to codify domination and subjugation into law.
The Islamic slave trade didn’t just involve the Vikings. Muslim rulers also played a crucial role in supplying African slaves to European traders during the Atlantic Slave Trade. It is estimated that around 80% of the African slaves sold to Europeans were initially captured by Muslim slave merchants. This points to a shared complicity in a global network of human exploitation, one that spanned centuries and involved multiple civilizations.
This global web of human suffering lasted for centuries, yet discussions about Islamic complicity in these atrocities are relatively scarce. Part of this silence might be because slavery is still permitted under certain interpretations of Islamic law, a fact that makes many modern discussions uncomfortable.
In conclusion, slavery, in all its forms, represents a dark chapter in human history. Both Islamic and European civilizations bear responsibility for these horrors. As a conservative who values truth and justice, it is vital to uncover all aspects of history, even those that challenge mainstream narratives. Islam’s role in the Viking and Atlantic slave trades should not be forgotten, just as we remember the atrocities of the Atlantic Slave Trade. History demands honesty, and only through acknowledging these painful truths can we hope to prevent future generations from repeating these mistakes.
For more detailed accounts, M.A. Khan's book Islamic Jihad: A Legacy of Imperialism, Forced Conversion, and Slavery offers a rigorous exploration of this complex and dark chapter of history .
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