JIHAD SECTION · 134 – Separating Captives Who Have Entered Puberty
Iyas ibn Salama, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated:
We went out on an expedition with Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, and the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, appointed him as our commander. We began fighting the tribe of Fazara. We made raids from various directions. Then I looked at a group of people and saw children and women among them. I shot an arrow which fell amongst them in the mountains, and they remained there. I brought them to Abu Bakr. Among them was a woman from the tribe of Fazara, wearing soft leather garments. With her was one of the most beautiful girls of the Arabs. Abu Bakr gave me the girl of the woman as an extra [gift]. I came to Medina. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said to me, "O Iyas, gift it to me." I replied, “I swear by Allah, the woman pleased me, and I did not touch her garments.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, remained silent. When the next day arrived, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, again met me in the marketplace, and said, "O Iyas, I swear by Allah, gift it to me." I replied, “May you prosper, O Messenger of Allah! I swear by Allah that I did not strip her garments; may she be a gift to you.” He sent the girl to the people of Mecca. The Meccans had Muslim captives in their possession. By sending her to them, he provided ransom for those captives [and they were released].”
COMMENTARY:
This event occurred before the truce of Hudaibiyya. This hadith is evidence that it is permissible to separate a girl from her mother among captives.
*Qis*: Means leather.
*Unuk*: Refers to a group; this indicates an exchange of prisoners with the polytheists, where prisoners from the polytheists are given in return for Muslims.