JIHAD SECTION · 131 – RELEASING PRISONERS IN EXCHANGE FOR PROPERTY
‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
When the battle of Badr occurred, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) took ransom from the captives. The Mighty and Sublime Allah revealed the verse, “No prophet has taken captives until the victory comes to them on earth,” [Qur’an 8:67], along with the verse, "Indeed, what you have taken would have brought you a great torment," [Qur'an 8:68]. Then Allah made war spoils permissible for them.
Abu Dawud said: I heard Ahmad ibn Hanbal being asked about the name of Abu Nuh, and he said: What will you do with his name? It is a reprehensible name.
Abu Dawud said: The name of Abu Nuh is Qirad, and the authentic one is Abdurrahman ibn Gazwa. [473]
According to a narration from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) set the ransom for the people of jahiliyyah captured at Badr at four hundred dirhams.
COMMENTARY: The ransoms for those captured at Badr were four hundred dirhams each. Those who paid this amount were released. Furthermore, any captive who taught reading and writing to ten Medinans would be released.
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) related:
When the people of Mecca sent ransom for their captives, [the Prophet’s] daughter Zaynab also sent property as a ransom for her husband, Abu al-As’. Among that property was a necklace belonging to Zaynab. That necklace had belonged to Khadija (may Allah be pleased with her). She had placed it in Zaynab's dowry when Abu al-As’ married her.
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) saw that necklace, which was a keepsake from Khadija, he became deeply moved. He said, “Do you think it appropriate to release the captive and return to Zaynab the heirloom necklace as ransom?”
The companions replied, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah."
[The Prophet] took an oath from Abu al-As’ that he would allow Zaynab to come to Medina to [the Prophet]. Or, Abu al-As’ gave him his word. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) sent Zayd ibn Harithah and a man from the Ansar, saying to them, “Wait in the valley of Yaji until Zaynab reaches you, and accompany her until you bring her here.”
According to a narration from Ibn al-Shahab, may Allah be pleased with him, he said:
Urwa bin Zubayr and Miswar bin Mahrama reported to him. When the delegation of the Banu Huzaima came as Muslims and requested the return of their property, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said to them, “The soldier accompanying me is also entitled to it. The best speech is the most truthful one. Either choose captives or your property.” The companions said, "We prefer the release of our captives." Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, stood up, praised Allah, and then said: “After this beginning, these (Banu Huzaima) brothers have turned away from disbelief. I am of the opinion to return their captives without compensation. Whoever can do so with good will should do so. And whoever wants something in return for returning what is his share, we shall give him a substitute from the first spoils that Allah gave us.”
They said, “O Messenger of Allah, we returned what was due to us to them with good will.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said to them, "We do not know who among you permitted this and who did not. Return. Let your leaders inform us of your opinion." The people turned back and the leaders spoke with them. The leaders reported that they all welcomed it and gave permission. They said, “No one wants anything in return, O Messenger of Allah.”
It is narrated from the grandfather of Amr bin Shu’ayb that he said:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Return to them their women (their sons). Whoever has something of this booty and returns it to its owners, I will give him six camels from the first booty Allah grants us.” Then He approached a camel and plucked a hair from its hump. Afterwards, He said, "O people, I have nothing from this booty, not even as much as this hair in my hand," and raised two fingers. “Except for one-fifth, which is being returned to you [for your equipment and provisions].” And whatever you took from the spoils of war – needles and thread – bring it back.” A man who had a ball of wool stood up and said, "O Messenger of Allah, I took this to repair the hole under the camel's shoe." The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “This booty is yours, for me and the Banu Abd al-Muttalib.” The man said, “Since it has reached this degree of burden, I do not need it,” and threw it on the ground. [475]
EXPLANATION
Kebbe: A ball of wool.