8. Al-Anfaal

But if they incline to peace, you also incline to it, and trust in Allah. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower (61)And if they intend to deceive you, then verily, Allah is All-Sufficient for you. He it is Who has supported you with His help and with the believers (62)And He has united their (believers') hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allah has united them. Certainly He is All-Mighty, All-Wise (63)

The Command to Facilitate Peace when the Enemy seeks a Peaceful Resolution

Allah says, if you fear betrayal from a clan of people, then sever the peace treaty with them, so that you both are on equal terms. If they continue being hostile and opposing you, then fight them,

وَإِن جَنَحُوا

(But if they incline), and seek,

لِلسَّلْمِ

(to peace), if they resort to reconciliation, and seek a treaty of non-hostility,

فَاجْنَحْ لَهَا

(you also incline to it), and accept offers of peace from them. This is why when the pagans inclined to peace in the year of Hudaybiyah and sought cessation of hostilities for nine years, between them and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ he accepted this from them, as well as, accepting other terms of peace they brought forth. 'Abdullah bin Al-Imam Ahmad recorded that 'Ali bin Abi Talib said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

إِنَّهُ سَيَكُونُ بَعْدِي اخْتِلَافٌ أَوْ أَمْرٌ فَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ يَكُونَ السِّلْمَ فَافْعَل

(There will be disputes after me, so if you have a way to end them in peace, then do so.)

Allah said next,

وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ

(and trust in Allah.) Allah says, conduct a peace treaty with those who incline to peace, and trust in Allah. Verily, Allah will suffice for you and aid you even if they resort to peace as a trick, so that they gather and reorganize their forces,

فَإِنَّ حَسْبَكَ اللَّهُ

(then verily, Allah is All-Sufficient for you).

Reminding the Believers of Allah's Favor of uniting Them

Allah mentioned His favor on the Prophet ﷺ, in that He aided him with believers, the Muhajirin and the Ansar,

هُوَ الَّذِي أَيَّدَكَ بِنَصْرِهِ وَبِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ - وَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ

(He it is Who has supported you with His help and with the believers. And He has united their hearts.)

The Ayah says, 'it is Allah who gathered the believers' hearts, believing, obeying, aiding and supporting you – O Muhammad,'

لَوْ أَنفَقْتَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا مَّا أَلَّفْتَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ

(If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts.) because of the enmity and hatred that existed between them. Before Islam, there were many wars between the Ansar tribes of Aws and Khazraj, and there were many causes to stir unrest between them. However, Allah ended all that evil with the light of faith,

وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ النَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ

(And remember Allah's favor on you, for you were enemies one to another, but He united your hearts, so that, by His grace, you …

But if they incline to peace, you also incline to it, and trust in Allah. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower (61)And if they intend to deceive you, then verily, Allah is All-Sufficient for you. He it is Who has supported you with His help and with the believers (62)And He has united their (believers') hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allah has united them. Certainly He is All-Mighty, All-Wise (63)

The Command to Facilitate Peace when the Enemy seeks a Peaceful Resolution

Allah says, if you fear betrayal from a clan of people, then sever the peace treaty with them, so that you both are on equal terms. If they continue being hostile and opposing you, then fight them,

وَإِن جَنَحُوا

(But if they incline), and seek,

لِلسَّلْمِ

(to peace), if they resort to reconciliation, and seek a treaty of non-hostility,

فَاجْنَحْ لَهَا

(you also incline to it), and accept offers of peace from them. This is why when the pagans inclined to peace in the year of Hudaybiyah and sought cessation of hostilities for nine years, between them and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ he accepted this from them, as well as, accepting other terms of peace they brought forth. 'Abdullah bin Al-Imam Ahmad recorded that 'Ali bin Abi Talib said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

إِنَّهُ سَيَكُونُ بَعْدِي اخْتِلَافٌ أَوْ أَمْرٌ فَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ يَكُونَ السِّلْمَ فَافْعَل

(There will be disputes after me, so if you have a way to end them in peace, then do so.)

Allah said next,

وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ

(and trust in Allah.) Allah says, conduct a peace treaty with those who incline to peace, and trust in Allah. Verily, Allah will suffice for you and aid you even if they resort to peace as a trick, so that they gather and reorganize their forces,

فَإِنَّ حَسْبَكَ اللَّهُ

(then verily, Allah is All-Sufficient for you).

Reminding the Believers of Allah's Favor of uniting Them

Allah mentioned His favor on the Prophet ﷺ, in that He aided him with believers, the Muhajirin and the Ansar,

هُوَ الَّذِي أَيَّدَكَ بِنَصْرِهِ وَبِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ - وَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ

(He it is Who has supported you with His help and with the believers. And He has united their hearts.)

The Ayah says, 'it is Allah who gathered the believers' hearts, believing, obeying, aiding and supporting you – O Muhammad,'

لَوْ أَنفَقْتَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا مَّا أَلَّفْتَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ

(If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts.) because of the enmity and hatred that existed between them. Before Islam, there were many wars between the Ansar tribes of Aws and Khazraj, and there were many causes to stir unrest between them. However, Allah ended all that evil with the light of faith,

وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ النَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ

(And remember Allah's favor on you, for you were enemies one to another, but He united your hearts, so that, by His grace, you …

But if they incline to peace, you also incline to it, and trust in Allah. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower (61)And if they intend to deceive you, then verily, Allah is All-Sufficient for you. He it is Who has supported you with His help and with the believers (62)And He has united their (believers') hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allah has united them. Certainly He is All-Mighty, All-Wise (63)

The Command to Facilitate Peace when the Enemy seeks a Peaceful Resolution

Allah says, if you fear betrayal from a clan of people, then sever the peace treaty with them, so that you both are on equal terms. If they continue being hostile and opposing you, then fight them,

وَإِن جَنَحُوا

(But if they incline), and seek,

لِلسَّلْمِ

(to peace), if they resort to reconciliation, and seek a treaty of non-hostility,

فَاجْنَحْ لَهَا

(you also incline to it), and accept offers of peace from them. This is why when the pagans inclined to peace in the year of Hudaybiyah and sought cessation of hostilities for nine years, between them and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ he accepted this from them, as well as, accepting other terms of peace they brought forth. 'Abdullah bin Al-Imam Ahmad recorded that 'Ali bin Abi Talib said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

إِنَّهُ سَيَكُونُ بَعْدِي اخْتِلَافٌ أَوْ أَمْرٌ فَإِنِ اسْتَطَعْتَ أَنْ يَكُونَ السِّلْمَ فَافْعَل

(There will be disputes after me, so if you have a way to end them in peace, then do so.)

Allah said next,

وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ

(and trust in Allah.) Allah says, conduct a peace treaty with those who incline to peace, and trust in Allah. Verily, Allah will suffice for you and aid you even if they resort to peace as a trick, so that they gather and reorganize their forces,

فَإِنَّ حَسْبَكَ اللَّهُ

(then verily, Allah is All-Sufficient for you).

Reminding the Believers of Allah's Favor of uniting Them

Allah mentioned His favor on the Prophet ﷺ, in that He aided him with believers, the Muhajirin and the Ansar,

هُوَ الَّذِي أَيَّدَكَ بِنَصْرِهِ وَبِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ - وَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ

(He it is Who has supported you with His help and with the believers. And He has united their hearts.)

The Ayah says, 'it is Allah who gathered the believers' hearts, believing, obeying, aiding and supporting you – O Muhammad,'

لَوْ أَنفَقْتَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا مَّا أَلَّفْتَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ

(If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts.) because of the enmity and hatred that existed between them. Before Islam, there were many wars between the Ansar tribes of Aws and Khazraj, and there were many causes to stir unrest between them. However, Allah ended all that evil with the light of faith,

وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُم بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِّنَ النَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنْهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ

(And remember Allah's favor on you, for you were enemies one to another, but He united your hearts, so that, by His grace, you …

O Prophet! Allah is sufficient for you and for the believers who follow you (64)O Prophet! Urge the believers to fight. If there are twenty steadfast persons among you, they will overcome two hundred, and if there be a hundred steadfast persons they will overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because they (the disbelievers) are people who do not understand (65)Now Allah has lightened your (task), for He knows that there is weakness in you. So if there are of you a hundred steadfast persons, they shall overcome two hundred, and if there are a thousand of you, they shall overcome two thousand by the leave of Allah. And Allah is with the patient (66)

Encouraging Believers to fight in Jihad; the Good News that a Few Muslims can overcome a Superior Enemy Force

Allah encourages His Prophet ﷺ and the believers to fight and struggle against the enemy, and wage war against their forces. Allah affirms that He will suffice, aid, support, and help the believers against their enemies, even if their enemies are numerous and have sufficient supplies, while the believers are few. Allah said,

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ حَرِّضِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَى الْقِتَالِ

(O Prophet! Urge the believers to fight), encouraged and called them to fight. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to encourage the Companions to fight when they faced the enemy. On the day of Badr when the idolators came with their forces and supplies, he said to his Companions,

قُومُوا إِلَى جَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ

(Get ready and march forth towards a Paradise as wide as the heavens and earth.)

Umayr bin Al-Humam said, "As wide as the heavens and earth?" The Messenger ﷺ said,

نَعَم

(Yes) 'Umayr said, "Excellent! Excellent!" The Messenger ﷺ asked him,

مَا يَحْمِلُكَ عَلَى قَوْلِكَ: بَخٍ بَخٍ

(What makes you say, 'Excellent! Excellent!'?) He said, "The hope that I might be one of its dwellers." The Prophet ﷺ said,

فَإِنَّكَ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا

(You are one of its people.) Umayr went ahead, broke the scabbard of his sword, took some dates and started eating from them. He then threw the dates from his hand, saying, "Verily, if I lived until I finished eating these dates, then it is indeed a long life." He went ahead, fought and was killed, may Allah be pleased with him.

Allah said next, commanding the believers and conveying good news to them,

إِن يَكُن مِّنكُمْ عِشْرُونَ صَابِرُونَ يَغْلِبُوا مِائَتَيْنِ ۚ وَإِن يَكُن مِّنكُم مِّائَةٌ يَغْلِبُوا أَلْفًا مِّنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا

(If there are twenty steadfast persons among you, they will overcome two hundred, and if there be a hundred steadfast persons, they will overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve.)

The Ayah says, one Muslim should endure ten disbelievers. Allah abrogated this part later on, but the good news remained. 'Abdullah bin Al-Mubarak said that Jarir bin Hazim narrated to them that, Az-Zubayr bin Al-Khirrit narrated to him, from 'Ikrimah, from Ibn 'Abbas, "When this verse was revealed,

إِن يَكُن مِّنكُمْ عِشْرُونَ صَابِرُونَ يَغْلِبُوا مِائَتَيْنِ

(If there are twenty steadfast persons among you, they will overcome two hundred...) it became difficult for the Muslims, when Allah commanded that one Muslim is …

O Prophet! Allah is sufficient for you and for the believers who follow you (64)O Prophet! Urge the believers to fight. If there are twenty steadfast persons among you, they will overcome two hundred, and if there be a hundred steadfast persons they will overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because they (the disbelievers) are people who do not understand (65)Now Allah has lightened your (task), for He knows that there is weakness in you. So if there are of you a hundred steadfast persons, they shall overcome two hundred, and if there are a thousand of you, they shall overcome two thousand by the leave of Allah. And Allah is with the patient (66)

Encouraging Believers to fight in Jihad; the Good News that a Few Muslims can overcome a Superior Enemy Force

Allah encourages His Prophet ﷺ and the believers to fight and struggle against the enemy, and wage war against their forces. Allah affirms that He will suffice, aid, support, and help the believers against their enemies, even if their enemies are numerous and have sufficient supplies, while the believers are few. Allah said,

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ حَرِّضِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَى الْقِتَالِ

(O Prophet! Urge the believers to fight), encouraged and called them to fight. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to encourage the Companions to fight when they faced the enemy. On the day of Badr when the idolators came with their forces and supplies, he said to his Companions,

قُومُوا إِلَى جَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ

(Get ready and march forth towards a Paradise as wide as the heavens and earth.)

Umayr bin Al-Humam said, "As wide as the heavens and earth?" The Messenger ﷺ said,

نَعَم

(Yes) 'Umayr said, "Excellent! Excellent!" The Messenger ﷺ asked him,

مَا يَحْمِلُكَ عَلَى قَوْلِكَ: بَخٍ بَخٍ

(What makes you say, 'Excellent! Excellent!'?) He said, "The hope that I might be one of its dwellers." The Prophet ﷺ said,

فَإِنَّكَ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا

(You are one of its people.) Umayr went ahead, broke the scabbard of his sword, took some dates and started eating from them. He then threw the dates from his hand, saying, "Verily, if I lived until I finished eating these dates, then it is indeed a long life." He went ahead, fought and was killed, may Allah be pleased with him.

Allah said next, commanding the believers and conveying good news to them,

إِن يَكُن مِّنكُمْ عِشْرُونَ صَابِرُونَ يَغْلِبُوا مِائَتَيْنِ ۚ وَإِن يَكُن مِّنكُم مِّائَةٌ يَغْلِبُوا أَلْفًا مِّنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا

(If there are twenty steadfast persons among you, they will overcome two hundred, and if there be a hundred steadfast persons, they will overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve.)

The Ayah says, one Muslim should endure ten disbelievers. Allah abrogated this part later on, but the good news remained. 'Abdullah bin Al-Mubarak said that Jarir bin Hazim narrated to them that, Az-Zubayr bin Al-Khirrit narrated to him, from 'Ikrimah, from Ibn 'Abbas, "When this verse was revealed,

إِن يَكُن مِّنكُمْ عِشْرُونَ صَابِرُونَ يَغْلِبُوا مِائَتَيْنِ

(If there are twenty steadfast persons among you, they will overcome two hundred...) it became difficult for the Muslims, when Allah commanded that one Muslim is …

It is not (fitting) for a Prophet that he should have prisoners of war until he has fought (his enemies thoroughly) in the land. You desire the goods of this world, but Allah desires (for you) the Hereafter. And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise (67)Were it not a previous ordainment from Allah, a severe torment would have touched you for what you took (68)So enjoy what you have gotten of booty in war, lawful and good, and have Taqwa of Allah. Certainly, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (69)

Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas said, "The Prophet ﷺ asked the people for their opinion about the prisoners of war of Badr, saying,

إِنَّ اللهَ قَدْ أَمْكَنَكُمْ مِنْهُم

(Allah has made you prevail above them.) 'Umar bin Al-Khattab stood up and said, 'O Allah's Messenger! Cut off their necks,' but the Prophet ﷺ turned away from him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ again asked,

يَاأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ اللهَ قَدْ أَمْكَنَكُمْ مِنْهُمْ وَإِنَّمَا هُمْ إِخْوَانُكُمْ بِالْأَمْسِ

(O people! Allah has made you prevail over them, and only yesterday, they were your brothers.)

Umar again stood up and said, 'O Allah's Messenger! Cut off their necks.' The Prophet ﷺ ignored him and asked the same question again and he repeated the same answer. Abu Bakr As-Siddiq stood up and said, 'O Allah's Messenger! I think you should pardon them and set them free in return for ransom.' Thereupon the grief on the face of Allah's Messenger ﷺ vanished. He pardoned them and accepted ransom for their release. Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, revealed this verse,

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)."

Ali bin Abi Talhah narrated that Ibn 'Abbas said about Allah's statement,

لَّوْلَا كِتَابٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ سَبَقَ

(Were it not a previous ordainment from Allah...),

"In the Preserved Book, that war spoils and prisoners of war will be made allowed for you,

لَمَسَّكُمْ فِيمَا أَخَذْتُمْ

(would have touched you for what you took), because of the captives.

عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ

(a severe torment.) Allah, the Exalted said next,

فَكُلُوا مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا

(So enjoy what you have gotten of booty in war, lawful and good)."

Al-'Awfi also reported this statement from Ibn 'Abbas. A similar statement was collected from Abu Hurayrah, Ibn Mas'ud, Sa'id bin Jubayr, 'Ata', Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Qatadah and Al-A'mash. They all stated that,

لَّوْلَا كِتَابٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ سَبَقَ

(Were it not a previous ordainment from Allah. .) refers to allowing the spoils of war for this Ummah.

Supporting this view is what the Two Sahihs recorded that Jabir bin 'Abdullah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

أُعْطِيتُ خَمْسًا لَمْ يُعْطَهُنَّ أَحَدٌ مِنَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ قَبْلِي: نُصِرْتُ بِالرُّعْبِ مَسِيرَةَ شَهْرٍ، وَجُعِلَتْ لِيَ الْأَرْضُ مَسْجِدًا وَطَهُورًا، وَأُحِلَّتْ لِيَ الْغَنَائِمُ وَلَمْ تُحَلَّ لِأَحَدٍ قَبْلِي، وَأُعْطِيتُ الشَّفَاعَةَ، وَكَان النَّبِيُّ يُبْعَثُ إِلَى قَوْمِهِ، وَبُعِثْتُ إِلَى النَّاسِ عَامَّةً

(I have been given five things which were not given to any Prophet before me. (They are:) Allah made me victorious …

It is not (fitting) for a Prophet that he should have prisoners of war until he has fought (his enemies thoroughly) in the land. You desire the goods of this world, but Allah desires (for you) the Hereafter. And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise (67)Were it not a previous ordainment from Allah, a severe torment would have touched you for what you took (68)So enjoy what you have gotten of booty in war, lawful and good, and have Taqwa of Allah. Certainly, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (69)

Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas said, "The Prophet ﷺ asked the people for their opinion about the prisoners of war of Badr, saying,

إِنَّ اللهَ قَدْ أَمْكَنَكُمْ مِنْهُم

(Allah has made you prevail above them.) 'Umar bin Al-Khattab stood up and said, 'O Allah's Messenger! Cut off their necks,' but the Prophet ﷺ turned away from him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ again asked,

يَاأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ اللهَ قَدْ أَمْكَنَكُمْ مِنْهُمْ وَإِنَّمَا هُمْ إِخْوَانُكُمْ بِالْأَمْسِ

(O people! Allah has made you prevail over them, and only yesterday, they were your brothers.)

Umar again stood up and said, 'O Allah's Messenger! Cut off their necks.' The Prophet ﷺ ignored him and asked the same question again and he repeated the same answer. Abu Bakr As-Siddiq stood up and said, 'O Allah's Messenger! I think you should pardon them and set them free in return for ransom.' Thereupon the grief on the face of Allah's Messenger ﷺ vanished. He pardoned them and accepted ransom for their release. Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, revealed this verse,

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)."

Ali bin Abi Talhah narrated that Ibn 'Abbas said about Allah's statement,

لَّوْلَا كِتَابٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ سَبَقَ

(Were it not a previous ordainment from Allah...),

"In the Preserved Book, that war spoils and prisoners of war will be made allowed for you,

لَمَسَّكُمْ فِيمَا أَخَذْتُمْ

(would have touched you for what you took), because of the captives.

عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ

(a severe torment.) Allah, the Exalted said next,

فَكُلُوا مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا

(So enjoy what you have gotten of booty in war, lawful and good)."

Al-'Awfi also reported this statement from Ibn 'Abbas. A similar statement was collected from Abu Hurayrah, Ibn Mas'ud, Sa'id bin Jubayr, 'Ata', Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Qatadah and Al-A'mash. They all stated that,

لَّوْلَا كِتَابٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ سَبَقَ

(Were it not a previous ordainment from Allah. .) refers to allowing the spoils of war for this Ummah.

Supporting this view is what the Two Sahihs recorded that Jabir bin 'Abdullah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

أُعْطِيتُ خَمْسًا لَمْ يُعْطَهُنَّ أَحَدٌ مِنَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ قَبْلِي: نُصِرْتُ بِالرُّعْبِ مَسِيرَةَ شَهْرٍ، وَجُعِلَتْ لِيَ الْأَرْضُ مَسْجِدًا وَطَهُورًا، وَأُحِلَّتْ لِيَ الْغَنَائِمُ وَلَمْ تُحَلَّ لِأَحَدٍ قَبْلِي، وَأُعْطِيتُ الشَّفَاعَةَ، وَكَان النَّبِيُّ يُبْعَثُ إِلَى قَوْمِهِ، وَبُعِثْتُ إِلَى النَّاسِ عَامَّةً

(I have been given five things which were not given to any Prophet before me. (They are:) Allah made me victorious …

It is not (fitting) for a Prophet that he should have prisoners of war until he has fought (his enemies thoroughly) in the land. You desire the goods of this world, but Allah desires (for you) the Hereafter. And Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise (67)Were it not a previous ordainment from Allah, a severe torment would have touched you for what you took (68)So enjoy what you have gotten of booty in war, lawful and good, and have Taqwa of Allah. Certainly, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (69)

Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas said, "The Prophet ﷺ asked the people for their opinion about the prisoners of war of Badr, saying,

إِنَّ اللهَ قَدْ أَمْكَنَكُمْ مِنْهُم

(Allah has made you prevail above them.) 'Umar bin Al-Khattab stood up and said, 'O Allah's Messenger! Cut off their necks,' but the Prophet ﷺ turned away from him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ again asked,

يَاأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ اللهَ قَدْ أَمْكَنَكُمْ مِنْهُمْ وَإِنَّمَا هُمْ إِخْوَانُكُمْ بِالْأَمْسِ

(O people! Allah has made you prevail over them, and only yesterday, they were your brothers.)

Umar again stood up and said, 'O Allah's Messenger! Cut off their necks.' The Prophet ﷺ ignored him and asked the same question again and he repeated the same answer. Abu Bakr As-Siddiq stood up and said, 'O Allah's Messenger! I think you should pardon them and set them free in return for ransom.' Thereupon the grief on the face of Allah's Messenger ﷺ vanished. He pardoned them and accepted ransom for their release. Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, revealed this verse,

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)."

Ali bin Abi Talhah narrated that Ibn 'Abbas said about Allah's statement,

لَّوْلَا كِتَابٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ سَبَقَ

(Were it not a previous ordainment from Allah...),

"In the Preserved Book, that war spoils and prisoners of war will be made allowed for you,

لَمَسَّكُمْ فِيمَا أَخَذْتُمْ

(would have touched you for what you took), because of the captives.

عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ

(a severe torment.) Allah, the Exalted said next,

فَكُلُوا مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا

(So enjoy what you have gotten of booty in war, lawful and good)."

Al-'Awfi also reported this statement from Ibn 'Abbas. A similar statement was collected from Abu Hurayrah, Ibn Mas'ud, Sa'id bin Jubayr, 'Ata', Al-Hasan Al-Basri, Qatadah and Al-A'mash. They all stated that,

لَّوْلَا كِتَابٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ سَبَقَ

(Were it not a previous ordainment from Allah. .) refers to allowing the spoils of war for this Ummah.

Supporting this view is what the Two Sahihs recorded that Jabir bin 'Abdullah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

أُعْطِيتُ خَمْسًا لَمْ يُعْطَهُنَّ أَحَدٌ مِنَ الْأَنْبِيَاءِ قَبْلِي: نُصِرْتُ بِالرُّعْبِ مَسِيرَةَ شَهْرٍ، وَجُعِلَتْ لِيَ الْأَرْضُ مَسْجِدًا وَطَهُورًا، وَأُحِلَّتْ لِيَ الْغَنَائِمُ وَلَمْ تُحَلَّ لِأَحَدٍ قَبْلِي، وَأُعْطِيتُ الشَّفَاعَةَ، وَكَان النَّبِيُّ يُبْعَثُ إِلَى قَوْمِهِ، وَبُعِثْتُ إِلَى النَّاسِ عَامَّةً

(I have been given five things which were not given to any Prophet before me. (They are:) Allah made me victorious …

O Prophet! Say to the captives that are in your hands: "If Allah knows any good in your hearts, He will give you something better than what has been taken from you, and He will forgive you, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (70)But if they intend to betray you, they indeed betrayed Allah before. So He gave (you) power over them. And Allah is All-Knower, All-Wise (71)

Pagan Prisoners at Badr were promised better than what They lost, if They become Righteous in the Future

Muhammad bin Ishaq reported that 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas said that before the battle of Badr, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,

إِنِّي قَدْ عَرَفْتُ أَنَّ أُنَاسًا مِنْ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ وَغَيْرِهِمْ قَدْ أُخْرِجُوا كَرْهًا لَا حَاجَةَ لَهُمْ بِقِتَالِنَا فَمَنْ لَقِيَ مِنْكُمْ أَحَدًا مِنْهُمْ - أَيْ مِنْ بَنِي هَاشِمٍ - فَلَا يَقْتُلْهُ، وَمَنْ لَقِيَ أَبَا الْبُخْتَرِي بْنَ هِشَامٍ مُسْتَكرِهًا

(I have come to know that some people from Bani Hashim and others were forced to accompany the pagans, although they had no desire to fight us. Therefore, whoever meets any of them (Bani Hashim), do not kill him. Whoever meets Abu Al-Bukhtari bin Hisham, should not kill him. Whoever meets Al-'Abbas bin 'Abdul-Muttalib, let him not kill him, for he was forced to come (with the pagan army).)

Abu Hudhayfah bin 'Utbah said, "Shall we kill our fathers, children, brothers and tribesmen (from Quraysh), and leave Al-'Abbas? By Allah! If I meet him, I will kill him with the sword." When this reached the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he said to 'Umar bin Al-Khattab,

يَا أَبَا حَفْصٍ

(O Abu Hafs!), and 'Umar said, "By Allah that was the first time that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ called me Abu Hafs."

أَيُضْرَبُ وَجْهُ عَمِّ رَسُولِ اللهِ بِالسَّيْفِ

(Will the face of the Messenger of Allahs's uncle be struck with the sword?) 'Umar said, "O Allah's Messenger! Give me permission to cut off his neck (meaning Abu Hudhayfah) for he has fallen into hypocrisy, by Allah!" Ever since that happened, Abu Hudhayfah used to say, "By Allah! I do not feel safe from this statement coming back to haunt me, and I will continue to fear its repercussions, unless Allah, the Exalted, forgives me for it through martyrdom." Abu Hudhayfah was martyred during the battle of Al-Yamamah, may Allah be pleased with him.

Ibn 'Abbas said, "On the eve after Badr, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ spent the first part of the night awake, while the prisoners were bound. His Companions said to him, 'O Allah's Messenger! Why do you not sleep?' Al-'Abbas had been captured by a man from Al-Ansar, and the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to them,

سَمِعْتُ أَنِينَ عَمِّي الْعَبَّاسِ فِي وِثَاقِهِ فَأَطْلِقُوهُ

(I heard the cries of pain from my uncle Al-'Abbas, because of his shackles, so untie him.)

When his uncle stopped crying from pain, Allah's Messenger ﷺ went to sleep." In his Sahih, Al-Bukhari recorded a Hadith from Musa bin 'Uqbah who said that Ibn Shihab said that Anas bin Malik said that some men from Al-Ansar said to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, "O Allah's Messenger! Give us permission and we will set free our maternal cousin Al-'Abbas without taking ransom from him." He said,

لَا وَاللهِ! لَا تَذَرُونَ مِنْهُ دِرْهَـمًا

(No, by Allah! Do …