I’d recommend some Garbage tracks like ‘Androgyny’ and ‘Sex is Not the Enemy’

At the time, the tradition was that women who were captives of war who left behind their husbands in the domain of war and entered the domain of Islam, their marriages were nullified. But since slavery is abolished now worldwide, none of this would apply.

When Islam first came, slavery wasn’t abolished completely because it was so integrated into society it would have destablised the whole society financially, and structurally, it just wasn’t compatible. However Islam set in place a system that would slowly but surely eradicate slavery altogether with the spread of Islam, hence there is believed to be a high reward for freeing a slave, also it was only allowed under a fully operating khilafa, so it could be regulated and not abused. Islam gave slaves rights, so its not how we usually think of slaves. They’re basically same as anyone else, they’re like maids/servants rather than ‘slaves’. So you have to treat them well, and feed and clothe them with the same standard you yourself wear and what you give to your own family.

So regarding marriage, the actual contract makes official the passing of guardianship from the father of the girl to the husband. That’s what it is essentially, however for a slave girl, her guardian is already the ‘master’ so the actual marriage is not needed, but she practically has the same rights as a wife. So if the owner and slavewoman want to have a relationship they can without the marriage contract. However the quran says that you’re not allowed to force them against their will, and its only if they agree to it. Any children born would still have the same rights as any children born under a marriage contract.

I’m using the words ‘master’ and ‘slave’ for want of better words to be honest, I don’t really like what they imply but just using them for explanation purposes. No human has the right to ‘own’ another human being, so the words servant or maids are much better choices, I just used ‘slave’ because you did.

RE
This doesn’t appear to be true for slave women. Quran 4:24 says they can be used for sex by their owner, even if they’re already married to someone else.

I 100% agree, but we are getting away from sportscenter’s coverage a little here arn’t we? I never said watching non-professional competition wasn’t entertaining in its own right. But you claim that geography has a lot to do with fan interest/following. I would counter your argument with this. http://yourather.com/550/value-of-sports

Its an online poll of over 23k people. 85% would rather find 5 DOLLARS than have their WNBA team win a championship. Now I know this isn’t an official study, but how far off can it really be? And maybe it just speaks to people’s greediness, but when I look at that, I see little to no interest from the general public in the WNBA. Why? I don’t know, but 85% of people feel the same way I do.

So getting back to my original criticism, this is an issue of general interest. Sportscenter chooses not to air most wnba highlights because no one really cares. ESPN can’t be condemed for using good business practices…

All I am saying is that the quality of play is not a completely overriding reason for why people watch a sport on TV. Your statement that “The LPGA and WNBA for example, are not the best in the world” is not the overriding reason why they do not get as many viewers as other entities.

I think professional soccer is an interesting example of sports viewership. You mention that the lower tiers in English soccer “don’t get the same exposure as the Premiere league because the level of competition is lower.” It’s certainly true that the level is lower. But even though everyone would say that the EPL has the best talent in the world, that doesn’t mean that the Italian Serie A followers would rather watch an EPL game on TV, even though I’d think they would have the option of watching any European league they want. But, here in the U.S., I prefer watching the top games in the EPL, Champions League, and Barcelona and Real Madrid, over the MLS games—with the exception that I watch as many of my home team’s (DC United) games as I can. In other words, teams that people have chosen to root for (frequently based on geography), rather than skill level, are one of the biggest factors moving a person to watch a game on TV.

There are many reasons why a person chooses to root for a particular team. Skill level is only one of the many. A person can get the same enjoyment and thrill in watching a son’s or daughter’s youth league basketball game as in watching a high school game, a college game, or a professional game. ESPN is continuing to increase the number of high school basketball games it televises. Obviously, the skill level is not the same as in the NBA.

They simply are not the best in the world. We are fans of these leagues because they present the very this sport has to offer. The LPGA and WNBA for example, are not the best in the world. Let me explain.

I’m ready to get a wave of backlash for this statement, but women can’t compete with men in most athletics. If you disagree, I’ll ask you why the olympic games are separated by gender? Or any other professional sport for that matter. Men are just physically bigger and stronger. I’m not trying to say women are not physically strong, but I think you would agree that men are “built” for sports and competition more so than women.

On a grand scale (and there are THOUSANDS of exceptions, I’m sure) Women can’t compete at the level men can. Theres a reason Brittany Greiner dunking gets a lot of attention — It just doesn’t happen very often. Theres a reason the NBA doesn’t have any female players…

Again, I’m not saying this to discredit female athletes. They work just as hard as men do, if not harder.

I’m saying this because it sheds light on why people who watch sportscenter don’t care about women’s sports. Its like lower tier football (soccer) in England. There are lower level leagues that exist (and have very rapid followers like the WNBA) but they don’t get the same exposure as the Premiere league because the level of competition is lower. They aren’t seeing the very best footballers in the world, and that is a BIG part of what makes watching it worthwhile.

So realize that ESPN is a business that aims to satisfy their average viewers wants – which I’m sorry to say, doesn’t include women’s sports. So while there may be more female athletes than ever before, the good ol’ boys just want to watch some football and drink their beer. They arn’t trying to discredit women’s sports, they just could frankly care less.

Make no mistake, ESPN knows EXACTLY what coverage gets them the most viewers. (NFL, NBA, MLB) Being a NHL fan first an foremost, I wish it were different. But its not. And I’ve learned to deal with it by getting my NHL news elsewere. I’d suggest you do the same with women’s sports.

Its not an issue of gender. Its an issue of interest.