Chapter 39 : Battle of Badr V - Prisoners of War Flashcards
The Prisoners of War
- There were about 70 POW [ Prisoners of War ] captured by The Muslims
- Imam Ali captured no one
- Among the captives are :-
1) Uqbah Ibn Abi Mu’ayt
2) Al Nadr Ibn Al Harith
- The Prophet orders Imam Ali to execute both of them
Why Were They Executed ?
1) Uqbah Ibn Abi Mu’ayt was one of the Fiercest and Vilest Antagonists of The Prophet and The Muslims. Despite being A neighbour to The Prophet, his acts of hatred towards The Prophet included Insults, Mockery, Throwing The Entrails / Blood / Waste of A Camel on The Prophet as he prayed at The Kaabah, Stepping on The Prophet’s Neck while he was in Prostration, Spitting in The Prophet’s Face, Attempted Murder of The Prophet by Strangulation, Rejoicing at The Death of The Prophet’s son Abdullah and much more
2) Al Nadr Ibn Al Harith was notorious for his unrelenting persecution of The Muslims
What Does The New Testament Say About Capital Punishment / Death Penalty
- If critics take issue with The Prophet’s conduct and use his execution order as A proof of A lack of his mercy and an example of A barbaric medieval nature, they need only to look at The New Testament to find similar ‘ Harsh ‘ expressions reportedly expressed by Christ
- One such example is when he addresses The Scribes and Pharisees and their evil designs against him and his followers :-
” Ye serpents, Ye generation of vipers, How can ye escape the damnation of hell ? “
Matthew [ 23 : 33 ]
- The Prophet ordered his men not to kill any of The Banu Hashim but to capture them :-
1) Abbas Ibn Abdul Muttalib
2) Aqil Ibn Abu Talib
3) Nawfal Ibn Al Harith Ibn Abdul Muttalib
Prisoner Who Are Able To Pay Ransom
- The Prophet demands A ransom of 40 Purses of Gold [ 1,600 Dinars ] per person but he demands 100 Purses [ 4,000 Dinars ] from Abbas
- When Abbas claims that he is broke, The Prophet reminds him of the money that he secretly left with his wife in Makkah which convinces Abbas that Muhammad is A Prophet
- The Prophet ordered his men to treat the prisoners well
- The prisoners themselves later reported that :-
” They gave me their bread while they ate dates. “
Prisoners Who Had No Money But Could Read And Write
- It is also reported that some captives had no money but could read and write and so The Prophet told them that they could go free if they taught The Children of Ansar how to read and write
Prisoners Who Had No Money And Could Not Read Nor Write
- For those who could not afford any ransom and were also Illiterate, they were all sent back without any ransom
- It is said that Abu Azzah came to The Prophet and said :-
” O Messenger of Allah ! You know that I don’t have A powerful family. You know that I have no sons only daughters. I have no money and I have A large family. So be generous with me “
- So The Prophet freed him with one condition :-
” You are never allowed to fight against us again. Go back and never fight against us. “
- So Abu Azzah agreed to this and went back to Makkah and wrote A beautiful poem which is recorded in Ibn Ishaq praising the Generosity of The Prophet
- Many of The Prisoners at Badr eventually accepted Islam either before The Conquest [ 8 AH ] or immediately after
The Revelation of Surah Al Anfal
- There was strife in the ranks after the battle as various people made claims to the Spoils of War
- Allah reveals Surah Al Anfal at this time
- Al Anfal is named for the ‘ Spoils of War ‘ mentioned in The First Verse
- It was revealed after Badr [ Hence it is Madinan ] and deals with Jihad, Captives, Spoils of War, Strategy and Policies of Engagement
Surah Al Anfal - The Spoils of War
- Surah Al Anfal Verse 1 speaks about The Spoils of War :-
” They ask you about The Spoils of War [ al anfal ]. Say ‘ The Spoils of War belong to Allah and The Messenger. ‘ Mind Allah and rectify what is between yourselves [ dhata baynikum ] and obey Allah and His Messenger if you be believers. “
Al Quran [ 8 : 1 ]
- It can be understood that The Believers asked The Prophet for A ruling on The Spoils of War after they had asserted that they enjoyed ownership over it
- However, they differed over who had rights to it or how it should be distributed or both
- Thus, they fell into dispute
- The Verse ‘ The Spoils of War belong to Allah and The Messenger ‘ explains that they do not have the immediate right to possess it but rather God and His Messenger have authority over it and that it will be distributed as God and His Messenger please
- This severed the root of their disagreement
Surah Al Anfal - Characteristics of A True Believer
- Surah Al Anfal Verses 2 - 4 speaks about The Characteristics of A True Believer :-
” The believers are only those whose hearts tremble when the name of Allah is mentioned, whose faith increases when Allah’s signs are recited for them and who trust in their Lord who established the prayer and spend of what We have given them. Truly these are the believers, they have ranks before their Lord, forgiveness and an honourable sustenance. “
Al Quran [ 8 : 2 - 4 ]
- Out of all the characteristics of Faith, Allah selects 5 of them here
- If people turn their attention towards these 5 traits and try to instill them inside themselves, it will pave the way for their souls to be mindful of God
- These 5 traits are :-
1) Their Hearts Tremble And Flutter At The Remembrance of God
2) Their Faith Increases When They Hear The Verses of The Quran
3) They Trust in God
4) They Establish The Prayer
5) They Spend [ Charitably And on Others ] Our of The Sustenance That God Has Granted Them
Surah Al Anfal - God’s Favour At Badr And Exhortations To Stand Strong Against The Enemy
- Surah Al Anfal Verses 5 - 29 speaks about God’s Favour at Badr and Exhortations to stand strong against the enemy :-
” [ Remember ] when you sought aid [ tastaghitu ] from your Lord and He answered you ‘ I will assist you [ mumiddukum ] with a thousand angels following [ murdafin ]. ‘ “
Al Quran [ 8 : 9 ]
” [ Remember ] when He blanketed you with sleepiness [ nu’as ], security [ amnatan ] from Him and sent upon you water from the sky to purify you and wash away Satan’s dirt [ rijz ] and to fortify your hearts and steady your feet. “
Al Quran [ 8 : 11 ]
” [ Remember ] when your Lord revealed to the Angels ‘ I am with you so make the believers firm. I shall cast terror into the hearts of the faithless. Then strike above their necks and their every fingertip. ‘ “
Al Quran [ 8 : 12 ]
” O you who believe ! When you meet [ laqitum ] the rejectors arrayed for battle [ zahfan ], do not turn your backs [ tuwalluhum al adbar ] to them. Whoever turns their backs to them on that day, unless it be a stratagem of battle [ mutaharrifan ] or to withdraw [ mutahayyizan ila fi’ah ] to another company shall earn [ ba’a ] Allah’s wrath. His abode shall be hell, an evil land ! “
Al Quran [ 8 : 15 - 16 ]
” Remember when you were few, deemed weak [ mustad’afun ] in the land, fearing [ yatakhattafakum ] that people might snatch you away. He sheltered you [ fa-awakum ] and strengthened you [ ayyadakum ] with His aid and provided you with wholesome things that you might be grateful. “
Al Quran [ 8 : 26 ]
Surah Al Anfal - Reminder of The Pagan Response in Makkah Leading Up To The Hijra As A Justification For Fighting Them At Badr
- Surah Al Anfal Verses 30 - 40 speaks about The Justification of Fighting The Pagans at Badr :-
” [ Remember ] when those who rejected their faith plotted against you [ yamkuru bika ] to capture you [ li - yuthbituka ] or kill you or expel you. They plotted and Allah plotted and Allah is the best of plotters. “
Al Quran [ 8 : 30 ]
” Why shouldn’t Allah punish them [ wa ma lahum alla yu’adhdhibuhum Allah ] when they are barring [ People ] from The Sacred Mosque while they are not its guardians. Only the reverent may be its guardians, however, most of them do not know. “
Al Quran [ 8 : 34 ]
” Those who reject their faith spend their wealth to hinder people from the way of Allah. They will spend it, then regret, then be overcome, and those who reject their faith shall be gathered in hell. “
Al Quran [ 8 : 36 ]
” Tell those who reject their faith and if they desist [ yantahu ], their past [ ma wad salafa ] shall be forgiven and if they return [ To Hostility ], then the wont [ sunnah ] of those of old has already passed. “
Al Quran [ 8 : 38 ]
Surah Al Anfal - Khums on Spoils of War
- Surah Al Anfal Verse 41 discusses Khums on The Spoils of War :-
” Know that whatever you gain [ ghanimtum ], A Fifth of it is for Allah and The Messenger and the near of kin [ dhu al qurba ] and the orphans [ al yatama ] and the needy and the wayfarer. If you believe in Allah and what We revealed to Our servant on the day of sorting, the day when the two hosts met. And Allah has power over all things. “
Al Quran [ 8 : 41 ]
Surah Al Anfal - God’s Aid to Muslims At Badr, Warning Not To Be Like The Pagans of Makkah In Their Delusions of Greatness And Invincibility And Not To Heed The Detractions of The Hypocrites
- Surah Al Anfal Verses 42 - 51 speak about God’s Aid to Muslims At Badr, Warning Not To Be Like The Pagans of Makkah In Their Delusions of Greatness And Invincibility And Not To Heed The Detractions of The Hypocrites :-
” When He showed them to you, when you met, he made them see few in your eyes and He made you seem little in their eyes so that Allah could bring about A matter which was to be done and to Allah are all matters returned. “
Al Quran [ 8 : 44 ]
” O you who believe ! When you meet A battle contingent, be firm and remember Allah much that you may be successful. And obey Allah and His Messenger. Do not quarrel lest you falter and lose your advantage. Be patient, Allah is with the patient. Be not like those who left their homes exulting, to be seen by men who turn [ Others ] away from the way of Allah while Allah comprehends what they do. “
Al Quran [ 8 : 45 - 47 ]
Surah Al Anfal - The Muslims vs Pagans Being Like Moses vs Pharoah
- Surah Al Anfal Verses 52 - 54 speaks about The Muslims vs Pagans Being Like Moses vs Pharoah :-
” Like The People of The Pharoah [ da’b-i-al-i- Fir’awn ] “ and those before him. They disbelieved in Allah’s communications and signs. Therefore Allah destroyed them because of their faults. Allah is strong, severe in retribution.
Al Quran [ 8 : 52 ]
Surah Al Anfal - The Chastisement of The Traitorous Jews of Madinah Who Made Treaties With The Prophet And Then Broke Them
Surah Al Anfal Verses 55 - 58 speaks about The Chastisement of The Traitorous Jews of Madinah Who Made Treaties With The Prophet And Then Broke Them :-
” Those whom you make an agreement with [ minhum ] then they break their agreement each time and are not wary. “
Al Quran [ 8 : 56 ]
Surah Al Anfal - Battle Strategies
- Surah Al Anfal Verses 59 - 63 speaks about Battle Strategies :-
” Prepare against them [ wa a’iddulahum ] what force [ quwwatin ] you can and horses tethered [ ribat al khayl ] to frighten thereby [ tarhabuna bihi ] the enemy of Allah and your enemy and others beside them whom you do not know. Allah knows them. Whatever you spend in Allah’s way will be paid back to you fully and you shall not be treated unjustly. “
Al Quran [ 8 : 60 ]
” If they incline [ janahu ] to peace [ salm ], incline to it and trust in Allah. He is The Hearing, The Knowing. If they intend to deceive you, Allah suffices you. He it is who strengthened you with His help and with the believers. “
Al Quran [ 8 : 61 - 62 ]
Surah Al Anfal - Encouraging The Muslims To Fight Willingly
- Surah Al Anfal Verses 64 - 66 speaks about Encouraging The Muslims To Fight Willingly :-
” O Prophet ! Urge [ harrid ] the believers to fight, If you have 20 patient ones, they will overcome 200 and if you have 100, they shall overcome 1,000 of those who reject their faith because they are A people who do not understand. “
Al Quran [ 8 : 65 ]
Surah Al Anfal - Chastisement For Taking POW Before Established
- Surah Al Anfal Verses 67 - 71 speaks about The Chastisement For Taking POW Before Established :-
” It is not for A Prophet to take captives [ asra ] until he subdues [ yuthkhina ] the land. You [ pl ] desire the fleeting things [ arad ] of this world while Allah desires the hereafter [ For you ] and Allah is Mighty, Wise. Were it not for an ordinance from Allah that had already gone forth, an awful doom would have befallen you because of what you [ pl ] took. Eat then of what you have acquired in war, lawful and good [ halalan tayyiban ] and mind Allah, Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. “
Al Quran [ 8 : 67 - 69 ]
Surah Al Anfal - Formalization of The Relationship Between The Muhajireen And The Ansar
- Surah Al Anfal Verses 72 - 75 speaks about The Formalization of The Relationship Between The Muhajireen And The Ansar :-
” Those who believed and migrated and strove with their wealth and their selves in the way of Allah and those who gave shelter and aid are guardians of each other. Those who believed but did not migrate are not under your guardianship in any way until they migrate. If they ask you for help for the sake of religion, you must help them unless it is against A people whom you have a treaty with. Allah sees what you do. The faithless are guardians of each other. If you do not do this, chaos and great corruption shall spread throughout the land. Those who believed and migrated and strove in Allah’s way and those who gave shelter and aid are the true faithful. They have forgiveness and A generous sustenance. “
Al Quran [ 8 : 72 - 74 ]
Dividing The Spoils of War
- 1/5 of all The Spoils of War were given to The Prophet as Khums
- They divided up the rest of the 4/5 of The Spoils of War equally among the fighters and all others who were part of the campaign including his deputies in Madinah and Quba and those who couldn’t come because of illness
- The Prophet exercised his right to The Safi before any division was made :-
1) He took Abu Jahl’s Camel
2) He took the sword of Al Munabbih Ibn Al Hajjaj which was known as Dhul Al Faqar because it contained tiny Fiqarat or Depressions that adorned it [ Some narrations mention this ]
- However, most Shia Scholars believe in the following :-
1) Some reports say that it was brought by Gabriel to The Prophet [ The Most Popular And Accepted Report Among Shia Scholars ]
2) Some reports say Imam Ali brought some iron from an Idol in Yemen and The Prophet had it made into 2 Swords
