Understanding Islam — Page 175
173 state prisons at that time. It was common practice in the world at that time that prisoners were distributed among the soldiers, and the Muslims did the same. Over time, this system changed and today there are state prisons where such prisoners are kept. Due to the beautiful teachings of Islam in regard to the prisoners of war, the reality is that the prisoners in possession of Muslim soldiers enjoyed a comfortable stay as compared to being in a state prison. The prisoners of war ended up living as members of the families to which they were assigned. This also became the reason for prisoners of war to convert to Islam as the kind treatment served to them was unparalleled. Regardless, due to the fact that the old ways have changed and now the prisoners of war can easily be accommodated in state prisons, it is no longer necessary to assign them to families. In fact, such a practice would be un-Islamic, as the Promised Messiah as also notes: It is a matter of gratification that in the present times non-Muslim nations have abandoned the aggressive