The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 219
V - Conduct of the Holy Prophet sa with Slaves and His Teachings on the Issue of Slavery 219 except for temporary restrictions, no other hindrances were imposed upon their freedom. Then, even during this temporary period of restriction, the Holy Prophet sa issued such emphatic commandments with respect to their ease and comfort that under this influence, the Companions took off their shirts and gave them to such prisoners who were thirsty for their blood. 1 They would survive on dried dates themselves and give their prisoners cooked food. 2 They walked on foot themselves, while their enemies were allowed to ride. 3 Can such an example be found in any nation of the world or in any era? A summary of the Islāmic teaching relevant to prisoners of war may be encapsulated in three Qur’ānic verses, two of which directly relate to prisoners of war, while one is a fundamental principle. Allāh the Exalted states: Meaning, “It does not accord with the greatness of the Prophet at all that prisoners of war be taken captive for him until proper fighting does not take place on the field of battle against the enemy. O ye Muslims! Your eyes are set upon an immediate gain (in that prisoners should be taken swiftly so that you may prepare to fight the enemy after collecting payment of ransom). However, Allāh the Exalted desires for you the hereafter (and since this practice is not favourable with respect to the hereafter, and has a negative effect as far as morals are concerned, therefore, he orders you to refrain from this practice). If however, you fear the number and strength of the enemy, then remember that Allāh the Exalted is Mighty above all powers and Wise, i. e. , He is the one who fulfills your true needs. ” 4 In this verse of the Holy Qur’ān, it has been taught that with the thought of their own weakness and strength of the enemy, or for the purpose of strengthening their financial state through ransom, Muslims should not 1 Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Jihād Was-Siyar, Bābul-Kiswati Lil-Usārā, Ḥadīth No. 3008 2 As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Mālik bin Hishām, p. 439, Dhikru Ru’yā ‘Ātikata binti ‘Abdil-Muṭṭalib / Maqtalun-Naḍri Wa ‘Uqbah, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001) 3 The Life of Mahomet, By Sir William Muir, Chapter XII (Prisoners Kindly Treated at Medîna), Prisoners treated kindly, p. 242, Published by Smith, Elder, & Co. London (1878) 4 Al-Anfāl (8:68)