The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 84
Seal of the Prophets - Volume II 84 down their arms. They were ordered to either prevail or become martyrs. They were permitted however, to fall back temporarily as a strategy of war. 1 However, if due to weakness, there were some who fled, the Holy Prophet sa would not express heavy displeasure. Rather, he would encourage them to exhibit greater resilience in the future and state, “Perhaps you have fallen back as a tactic of war in order to prepare for another attack. ” 27. The Companions were ordered not to strike the face of another person in battle. 2 28. The Holy Prophet sa would state, “A Muslim should be most gentle of all people in inflicting an injury. ” 3 29. Strict orders were given not to take prisoners until the practical commencement of battle. It was not acceptable to catch the enemy off guard and then begin taking prisoners. 4 30. It was ordered that afterwards, according to circumstances, prisoners should be set free as an act of benevolence or kept in prison if necessary. However, this imprisonment was only permitted until war ensued, or until the losses which had been incurred as a result of the war had been repaid; but not thereafter. 5 31. It was ordered that prisoners should be treated with great compassion and kindness. As such, history proves that due to this order of the Holy Prophet sa , the Companions would worry about the comfort of prisoners even more than their own ease. It was also commanded by the Holy Prophet sa that those prisoners who were close relatives of one another should not on any account be separated. 6 32. It was not insisted that the ransom of prisoners be paid in cash only. As such, the Holy Prophet sa came to an agreement with various literate prisoners of Badr, that they would be released if 1 Al-Anfāl (8:16-17) 2 * Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābudh-Dhabā’iḥi Waṣ-Ṣaid, Bābul-Wasmi Wal-‘Alami Fiṣ-Ṣūrati, Ḥadīth No. 5541 * Ṣaḥīḥu Muslim, Kitābul-Birri Waṣ-Ṣilati Wal-Adab, Bābun-Nahyi ‘An Ḍarbil-Wajhi, Ḥadīth No. 6651 3 Sunanu Abī Dāwūd, Kitābul-Jihād, Bābu Fin-Nahyi ‘Anil-Muthlah, Ḥadīth No. 2666 4 Al-Anfāl (8:68) 5 Muḥammad (47:5) 6 * Sunanut-Tirmidhī, Kitābus-Siyar, Bābu Fī Karāhiyatit-Tafrīqi Bainas-Sabyi, Ḥadīth No. 1566 * Sunanut-Tirmidhī, Kitābul-Buyū‘, Bābu Mā Jā’a Fī Karāhiyatil-Farqi Bainal-Akhawain…. . , Ḥadīth No. 1283