JIHAD SECTION · 136 – The Mushriks' Slaves Joining the Muslims and Becoming Muslim
Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated:
At the time of the Treaty of Hudaibiyyah, before the treaty was finalized, slaves came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, fleeing (from Mecca). Their masters wrote a letter to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, saying: “O Muhammad, by Allah, these slaves did not come to you because they embraced your religion. Rather, they fled to escape slavery.”
A group of the companions said, "O Messenger of Allah, return the slaves to their masters."
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was angered by this statement and said: “O tribe of Quraysh, I do not think you will cease this practice until Allah sends someone among you who will strike your necks.” He did not return the slaves to their masters and declared, "These are those whom the Most High, the Glorious, has freed." [479]