An Outline of Early Islamic History — Page 42
42 He was also governor of Iraq. He conquered Iraq. He conquered Iran. He was young when he took part in the battle of Badr. He died at the age of eighty. Before his death, he asked for the cloak he had worn at Badr. He had kept it safe. He put it on when he was dying. He said he had saved it for that day. He was buried in the same cloak. Humane Treatment of enemy P. O. W’s The Prophet ordered that the enemy prisoners of war should be treated with kindness. At that time prisoners of war were dealt with very savagely. They were kept as slaves and used as beasts. The Prophet was the first man in history to give prisoners of war humane treatment. He ordered that they should be set free on payment of ransom. Some prisoners were asked to teach Muslims how to read and writ e. This duty was to earn them their freedom. Abbas, an uncle of the Prophet, who had been forced to join the Meccan army, was taken prisoner. He was bound up like the others. He felt pain and moaned at night. The Prophet felt very uneasy on that account. T he Muslims noted this. They at once loosened the bonds of Abbas. He felt at peace. When he did not moan any more, the Prophet knew the reason why. He ordered all the prisoners to be treated alike. Soon the bonds of all were made loose. Muslims were very good to the Quresh prisoners of war. They gave them food and starved themselves. They gave them mounts and themselves walked on foot.