The New World Order of Islam — Page 64
New World Order 64 shoulders of the aggressor who starts such a war. If he does not refrain from aggression and deliberately provokes war, he is certainly a menace and deserves to be made a prisoner. Such conduct is his own choice. If he had not sought to deprive others of spiritual freedom, his own liberty would not have been put in jeopardy. Assuming that a war of this description becomes unavoidable and Muslims are forced to take up arms, the Quran enjoins: - 0 ZM ( 6 9 > #[ A ؕ \$W \ IM - ]% @ ( > )? A$M ۬ ◌ۚ ◌۫ ◌ۛ $6 b - \ c LI5 R de0M $& - 0 J= $ۢR#& $&$M ۗ◌ۙh$[ "And when you meet in regular battle those who disbelieve, smite their necks; and, when you have overcome them, bind fast the fetters—then afterwards either release them as a favour or by taking ransom—until the war lays down its burdens. " (47:5) That is to say, in a war so defined, you may take prisoners. But if you do so, you must adopt one of the two courses: When the war comes to an end, you must either release the prisoners out of pure benevolence; or, you must agree to release them on payment of ransom. If a prisoner is not released out of pure benevolence, he must remain in custody till he is ransomed, and during that period he must do suitable work for his captor. This cannot be regarded as hardship. For, even in modern times, prisoners of war