Taking Captives in War
Question:
Salaam bro,
In the Quran 47:4 states that when you meet the unbelievers (in battle), smite their necks until you have crushed them, then bind your captives firmly, thereafter (you are entitled to) set them free either by an act of grace or against ransom, until the war ends.
Verse 8:67 states that it behooves not a prophet to take captives until he has sufficiently suppressed the enemies in the land.
These verses were after the battle of Badr. At that stage Muslims had not suppressed the enemy, so my queries are two fold:
1. Were Muslims wrong to take captives after the battle of Badr and free them after ransom, should they have killed them
2. Is this a general directive about taking captives only when enemy has been suppressed or specific for that period of time.
Answer:
Salaam bro,
In the Quran 47:4 states that when you meet the unbelievers (in battle), smite their necks until you have crushed them, then bind your captives firmly, thereafter (you are entitled to) set them free either by an act of grace or against ransom, until the war ends.
Verse 8:67 states that it behooves not a prophet to take captives until he has sufficiently suppressed the enemies in the land.
These verses were after the battle of Badr. At that stage Muslims had not suppressed the enemy, so my queries are two fold:
1. Were Muslims wrong to take captives after the battle of Badr and free them after ransom, should they have killed them
2. Is this a general directive about taking captives only when enemy has been suppressed or specific for that period of time.
Answer:
