The Message of Islam — Page 35
The Battle of Badr 35 prisoner. The Prophet saw, while giving thanks to God for the great deliverance which He had vouchsafed, was deeply grieved that so many of Quraish had perished in pursuit of their vain purpose. There was much debate as to the fate of the prisoners. According to Arab custom, they could have been dispatched immediately; but the Prophet saw determined that those who could offer suitable ransom would be released on payment of ran- som, and those who could not offer ransom would be released as an act of grace. The ransom of such prisoners as were literate was fixed at teaching ten Muslim boys to read and write. When the news of the catastrophe reached Makkah, there was mourning in every house. But all customary lamentations and other expressions and exhibitions of grief were forbidden by the Elders till Quraish had had time to reorganize their forces and to avenge the disastrous defeat. The profits gained by the caravan that had arrived safely in Makkah were not distributed, but were reserved for the purpose of equipping another force against the Muslims. There is no other instance in human history of such a clear and decisive Divine Sign in support of truth against falsehood. The grave disparity in all respects between the opposing forces predicated the certain and utter ruin of the weaker side. Except for the succour and grace of God, there can be no feasible explana- tion of the disaster that overtook Quraish. The unequal struggle would continue for another four years, but there is no doubt that the spine of the vaunted might of Quraish was effectively broken in the field of Badr.