True Justice and Peace — Page 28
28 “It does not behove a Prophet that he should have captives until he engages in a regular fighting in the land. ” [19] At a time when it was a common practice to impris- on the people of an enemy tribe, it was Islam that spoke out against it. It is asserted that to imprison someone who has not taken up arms against Islam is in fact against justice and fairness. Today, if any government or so-called government conducts this practice in the name of Islam, it is totally contrary to its teachings and is not permissible. Regarding prisoners of wars, Islam states: اَّمِاَف اًّۢنَم ُدْعَب َو اَّمِا ًءٓاَدِف “Then afterwards either release them as a favour or by taking ransom. ” [20] Furthermore, kind treatment is extended towards prisoners of war. In the days when such wars broke out, every soldier was responsible for his own military equipment and also for his own freedom if he were cap- tured. And so, [in the instance of becoming a captive] either he would himself try or his relatives would make efforts to make arrangements for his release. At times, certain relatives would become hard-hearted and in or- der to accumulate more wealth they would simply leave