Surah Al-Anfal, Verse 67/68

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 *Surah Al-Anfal, Verse 67:*

مَا كَانَ لِنَبِيٍّ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُ أَسْرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ يُثْخِنَ فِي الْأَرْضِ تُرِيدُونَ عَرَضَ الدُّنْيَا وَاللَّهُ يُرِيدُ الْآخِرَةَ وَاللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

It is not for a Prophet that he should have prisoners of war (and free them with ransom) until he had made a great slaughter (among his enemies) in the land. You desire the good of this world (i.e. the money of ransom for freeing the captives), but Allah desires (for you) the Hereafter. And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.

#COMMENTARY

An ordinary war may be for territory or trade, revenge or military glory, - all "temporal goods of this world." Such a war is condemned. But a jihād is fought under strict condition laid down by Islam, and solely for the cause of Almighty ALLĀH (Sub-haanahu wata'aala). All baser motives, therefore are strictly excluded. The gain in the shape of ransom from captives has no place in such warfare.

At the same time, if there had been heavy loss of life already, captives may be taken, and it would be for the Imām to exercise his discretion as to the time when it was safe to release them, and whether the release should be free or on parole or on a fine by way of punishment. Destruction and slaughter, however repugnant to a gentle soul like that of Prophet Muhammad (Blessings and Peace of ALLĀH be upon him), were inevitable where evil tried to suppress the good. Even Jesus, whose mission was more limited, had to say: "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace but a sword." (Mathew, chapter, verse 34).

Seventy captives were taken at Badr, and it was decided to take ransom for them. While the general principle of fighting for the purpose of taking captives in order to get their ransom is condemned, the particular action in this case was approved in chapter vv, verse 68-71).

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*Surah Al-Anfal, Verse 68:*

لَّوْلَا كِتَابٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ سَبَقَ لَمَسَّكُمْ فِيمَا أَخَذْتُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ

Were it not a previous ordainment from Allah, a severe torment would have touched you for what you took.

#COMMENTARY

Though any motive of worldly gain, which may have been in the minds of some among the victorious Muslim army, is condemned as worthy of a severe penalty, what actually happened is ascribed to the Plan of Almighty ALLĀH (Sub-haanahu wata'aala), which was pre-ordained. Among the prisoners taken were the Prophet's uncle 'Abbās and Hadhrat 'Ali's brother, Aqil, who afterwards became Muslims. 'Abbās was an ancestor of the founder of the celebrated 'Abbāsi Dynasty which played such a notable part in Islamic history. In his case the promise made in verse 70 was amply fulfilled. In the case of all prisoners, if there was any good in their hearts, their very fight against Islam and their capture led to their being blessed with Islam. Thus does Almighty ALLĀH's Plan work in a marvellous way, and evolve good out of seeming evil.