So, are the verses that speak of “milkul yamin” no longer “relevant” due to the absence of its legal context? This highlights the importance of understanding the Quran not only as a book of laws but also, in the words of Fazlur Rahman, as a book containing moral spirit.
If one limits their understanding to the Quran as a legal text, many verses in the Quran may no longer seem relevant today because of the significant differences between the context of their revelation and contemporary issues. Therefore, to grasp the Quran comprehensively and align it with the evolution of time, a commentator must capture the moral spirit within a verse.
For instance, when examining the verse on “milkul yamin” from a moral perspective, it reveals a fundamental message of human equality. In that era, this perspective was remarkably progressive, challenging the prevailing disparity between slaves and free individuals. In essence, both were creations of God.