Through Force or Faith? — Page 184
?— A Reply to Pope Benedict XVI 184 Jihad ; Chapter on Appointment of the Leaders of Expeditions. Tradition No. 3261) This is the evidence of history and the teachings that show that there was no possibility of plunder. In addition the Holy Prophet s as had expressly forbidden looting and plunder. The Holy Quran had declared openly that war to collect booty is forbidden. اًنِمْؤُم١ۚ َنْوُغَتْبَت َضَرَع ِةوٰيَحْلا اَيْنُّدلا١ٞ َدْنِعَف ِهّٰللا ُمِناَغَم ٌةَرْيِثَك١ؕ اَهُّيَاٰۤي َنْيِذَّلا اْۤوُنَمٰا اَذِا ْمُتْبَرَض ْيِف ِلْيِبَس ِهّٰللا اْوُنَّيَبَتَف َو اَل اْوُلْوُقَت ْنَمِل ىٰۤقْلَا ُمُكْيَلِا َمٰلَّسلا َتْسَل O ye who believe! When you go forth to fight in the cause of Allah, make proper investigation and say not to anyone who greets you with the greeting of peace, ‘Thou art not a believer’. You seek the goods of this life, but with Allah are good things in plenty… ( S u rah an-Nis a ’, 4:95) Similarly it was said about the prisoners of war: اَم َناَك ٍّيِبَنِل ْنَا َنْوُكَّي ۤٗهَل ىٰرْسَا ىّٰتَح َنِخْثُي يِف ِضْرَاْلا١ؕ It does not behove a Prophet that he should have captives until he engages in regular fighting in the land… ( S u rah al-Anf a l, 8:68) And, it was decreed about the ones who are taken prisoners in the course of war that: اَّمِاَف اًّۢنَم ُدْعَب َو اَّمِا ًءٓاَدِف … then afterwards either release them as a favour or by tak- ing ransom… ( S u rah Mu h ammad, 47:5)