Bab Maa Fa'ala Rasoolullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam bil-Ghana'im wal-Usara

In this passage, we learn about the actions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding spoils of war and prisoners of war. The Prophet's actions in these matters are considered part of his prophetic traditions.

Narration Chain

• Abu Ali al-Husayn ibn Muhammad al-Rudhbari informed us
• Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Bakr informed us
• Abu Dawud informed us
• Wahb ibn Baqiyyah informed us
• Khalid narrated from Dawud from Ikrimah from Ibn Abbas

The Day of Badr

On the Day of Badr, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Whoever does such and such actions will have such and such rewards." The young men advanced while the elders held onto the flags, not leaving them. When Allah granted them victory, the elders said, 'We were your shield. If your army had been defeated, you would have turned back to us. So do not take the spoils and leave us behind.' The young men refused, saying, 'The Messenger of Allah has given it to us.' Then Allah revealed the verse: 'They ask you about the spoils of war. Say: "The spoils are for Allah and the Messenger." So fear Allah and settle all matters of difference among you.' This was better for them, so be obedient to me, for I know the consequences of these matters."

These verses are from Surah al-Anfal (1-5).

This narration is mentioned in the book of Jihad by Abu Dawud in the chapter on spoils of war, hadith 2737, narrated by Wahb ibn Baqiyyah, through Khalid from Dawud, from Ikrimah, from Ibn Abbas, followed by another narration numbered 2738, narrated by Ziyad ibn Ayyub, from Hashim, from Dawud ibn Abi Hind, from Ikrimah, from Ibn Abbas.

Transmission of Hadith

Abu Ali Al-Rudhbary informed us, saying: Abu Bakr ibn Dasa informed us, saying: Abu Dawood informed us, saying: Haroon ibn Muhammad ibn Bakkar ibn Bilal informed us that Yazid ibn Khalid ibn Mohabb Al-Hamdani informed us, saying: Yahya ibn Abi Zaidah informed us that Dawood narrated this hadith with this chain, saying: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) distributed it equally." This is from the hadith of Khalid which is complete.

Another Chain of Transmission

Abu Abdurrahman Mohamed ibn Al-Hussein Al-Salmi informed us that Mohamed ibn Abdullah ibn Ibrahim ibn Abdah informed us that Ja'far ibn Muhammad ibn Al-Hussein (peace be upon him) informed us. Abu Nasr ibn Qatadah and Abu Bakr ibn Mohamed ibn Ibrahim Al-Farisi narrated to us that Abu Amr ibn Matar informed us, saying: Ibrahim ibn Ali Al-Dhuhli informed us that Yahya ibn Yahya informed us that Abdul Rahman ibn Abi Zinad narrated from his father who narrated from Ubaydullah ibn Abdullah that "the Prophet (peace be upon him) took up his sword Dhu al-Faqar on the Day of Badr." This is also mentioned further in the hadith (2739) by Haroon ibn Muhammad ibn Bakkar ibn Bilal, through Yazid ibn Khalid ibn Mohabb Al-Hamdani, through Yahya ibn Zakariya ibn Abi Zaidah, through Dawood with this chain.

Other References and Narrators

Relayed by Hafiz Ibn Katheer from Abu Dawood, Al-Nasa'i, Ibn Hibban, and Al-Hakim through the narration of Dawood ibn Abi Hind from Ikrimah from Ibn Abbas, in the beginning and end of "Al-Bidayah wa'l-Nihayah," also narrated by Al-Salehi in "Al-Sirah Al-Shamiyyah" from Ibn Abi Shaybah, Abu Dawood, Al-Nasa'i, Ibn Hibban, Abdul Razzaq in his collection, Abdul bin Hameed, Ibn Adi, Ibn Mardawayh, and Ibn Asakir.

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

Chain of Narrators: Abu Abdullah Al-Hafiz reported: Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Abdullah Al-Saffar told us: Ahmad ibn Yunus Al-Dabbi (may Allah be pleased with them) narrated. Abu Abdullah said: Isma'il ibn Ahmad Al-Jurjani informed us that Abu Ya'la reported from Zuhayr ibn Harb, who reported from Umar ibn Yunus Al-Hanafi, who reported from Ikrima ibn Ammar, who reported from Abu Zumayl, a fisherman and Hanafi, who reported from Abdullah ibn Abbas, who reported from Umar ibn Al-Khattab.

The Incident of Badr: On the day of Badr, Ibn Abbas mentioned: When they took the captives, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) asked Abu Bakr, Ali, and Umar, "What do you think about these captives?" Abu Bakr replied, "O Messenger of Allah! They are from our relatives and tribes. I suggest that we accept ransom from them to strengthen us against the disbelievers, hoping that Allah may guide them to Islam." The Prophet then asked Umar, and he proposed a different course of action, suggesting strategic strikes on the enemy leadership. The Prophet agreed with Umar's plan. The next day, the Prophet and Abu Bakr were found weeping. When asked by Umar, the Prophet explained that he cried for what was suggested by his companions, which was less severe than what could have been, as revealed by Allah.

Conclusion: The Prophet's tears were not for the captives but for the mercy and compassion that he had shown even in the face of war, as mentioned in Sahih Muslim.

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

Allah granted them war spoils. This narration is reported by Muslim in Sahih from Zuhayr bin Harb. Abu Abdullah Al-Hafiz informed us; he said: Abu Zakariya Al-Anbari told us that Muhammad ibn Abdus Salam told us that Ishaq bin Ibrahim narrated to us that Jarir reported from Al-A'mash, from Amr ibn Murrah, from Abu Ubaydah bin Abdullah, from his father who said: On the day of Badr, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, asked them, "What do you say about these prisoners?" Abdullah bin Rawaha said, "You are in a valley full of firewood, so light a fire and throw them in it." Al-Abbas said, "May Allah sever your ties." Umar said, "They fought you and belied you, so strike their necks." Abu Bakr said, "Your people and clans." The Messenger of Allah then entered for some of his needs when a group said, "What Umar said is correct." The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, came out and said, "What do you say about these people? Indeed, these are like a group among their own brethren who existed before them." Nuh said: "My Lord, do not leave upon the earth from among the disbelievers an inhabitant." (8) (9) (10)

(7) The Quranic verse (67) from Surah Al-Anfal and onwards to verse (69).

(8) This is part of a longer hadith narrated in Muslim, in Book 32: The Book of Jihad and Expeditions, Chapter 18: The Support of Angels, Hadith 58, pages 1383-1385. Hanad bin Sari reported it from Ibn Mubarak, from Ikrimah bin Ammar, from Samak, from Ibn Abbas, from Umar ibn al-Khattab, and it was also reported by Abu Dawood in the Book of Jihad, Chapter on Ransom for Prisoners with Money, from Ahmad ibn Hanbal, from Abu Nu'aym, from Ikrimah bin Ammar. (9) He is Abu Ubaydah bin Abdullah bin Masud. (10) Found in all versions: "their leaders" - as reported in the Maghazi of Al-Waqidi. It is mentioned, "They are the leaders of disbelief and the guides of misguidance." (11) The Quranic verse (26) from Surah Nuh.

Reported Sayings regarding the Ransom of People in the Battle of Badr

1. Narration from Abdullah ibn 'Ar'ara: I transmitted this to Azhar, and he insisted, saying: "Ubaidah from Ali."

This report relays a statement by the Prophet (peace be upon him) concerning Allah's judgment regarding those to be ransomed among them, exactly as he said.

Chain of Transmission:

- Abu Ali al-Rudhbary narrated to us
- Abu Bakr ibn Dasah narrated to us
- Abu Dawud narrated to us
- Abdurrahman ibn Al-Mubarak Al-Ayshi narrated to us
- Sufyan ibn Habib narrated to us
- Shu'bah narrated from Abu Al-‘Anbas from Abu Al-Sha'tha from Ibn Abbas

The Prophet (peace be upon him) ransomed the people of pre-Islamic era on the day of Badr with four hundred dirhams each.

Additional Details:

- Abu Abdullah al-Hafiz told us
- Abu Al-Abbas Muhammad ibn Ya’qub told us
- Ahmad ibn Abdul-Jabbar narrated to us
- Yunus ibn Bukayr narrated from Isma'il ibn Abdul-Rahman al-Suddi

The ransom for the people of Badr included Abbas, Aqeel (his nephew), and Nawfal, each to pay four hundred dinars.

Further Narration:

- Abu Abdullah al-Hafiz reported to us
- Abu Al-Abbas Muhammad ibn Ya’qub reported to us
- Ahmad ibn Abdul-Jabbar reported to us
- Yunus ibn Bukayr narrated from Ibn Ishaq
- Al-‘Abbas ibn Abdillah ibn Ma‘bad reported from some of his family, from Abdullah ibn Abbas

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said on the day of Badr: "I have learned that some of Banu Hashim and others have been forced out against their will to fight us. So, whoever from among you meets anyone from Banu Hashim, do not kill him. And whoever meets Abu Al-Bakhtari ibn Hisham or Al-‘Abbas ibn ‘Abdul-Muttalib, do not kill them. They were only expelled under compulsion." (Related by Abu Dawud in the Book of Jihad, Chapter on Ransoming Prisoners with Money, Hadith 2691, p. 3:61-62)

Meeting Abbas After the Battle of Badr

"Our fathers, brothers, and clansmen are being killed, while Abbas is spared. By Allah, if I meet him, I will strike him with the sword." When this reached the Prophet, he asked Umar ibn Al-Khattab, "O Abu Hafs." Umar replied, "May Allah be pleased with him! It was the day of great fervor towards the Messenger of Allah. Will Abbas be fought with a sword?" Umar answered, "O Messenger of Allah, permit me, and I will strike his neck, for he has indeed been hypocritical." Abu Hudhaifa said, "By Allah, I have never felt secure since that day, except that Allah might absolve me from it." He was martyred at the Battle of Yamama.

The Prophet's Disapproval of Killing Abu al-Bakhtari

The Prophet prohibited killing Abu al-Bakhtari because he shielded the Messenger of Allah in Mecca and did him no harm. Ibn Ishaq narrated a story where Abu al-Bakhtari avoided capture until he was killed.

Rasulullah's Compassion during the Battle of Badr

During the Battle of Badr, the captives were bound and the Prophet spent the night vigilant. When asked why he did not sleep, he mentioned hearing the groans of his uncle, Abbas. Upon his release, the Prophet fell asleep. Most of the captives were ransomed for the sake of Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib, who redeemed himself with a hundred ounces of gold.

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

Hadith Narration on Ransom in Islamic History

Al-Mughirah reported: Isma'il ibn Abi Uways informed us that Isma'il ibn Ibrahim ibn 'Uqba narrated from Musa ibn 'Uqba, who said Ibn Shihab told me that Anas ibn Malik reported: "A group of Ansar sought permission from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, and said: 'Grant us permission, O Messenger of Allah, to ransom our nephew, 'Abbas.' He replied, 'No, by Allah, you will not leave a dirham.'"

Musa ibn 'Uqba mentioned in the chain of narration: "Their ransom was forty ounces of gold, and they were ransomed after arriving in Medina, and they were competing in ransom." This hadith is narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari from Isma'il ibn Abi Uways.

Story of Badr Battle Ransoms

Abu Abdullah al-Hafiz reported from Abu al-'Abbas Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, who narrated from Ahmad ibn 'Abd al-Jabbar, who narrated from Yunus ibn Bukayr, who narrated from Ibn Ishaq in the chain of narration about the story of the Battle of Badr. They reported: "Quraysh sent to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, regarding the ransom of their captives. Each tribe ransomed their captives as they pleased. Al-'Abbas ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib said, 'O Messenger of Allah, I was a Muslim.' The Messenger of Allah replied, 'I am aware of your Islam. If what you say is true, Allah will reward you for it. But as for what you have openly shown, it is up to us. So ransom yourself, and the sons of your brother, Nawfal ibn al-Harth ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib, and 'Aqil ibn Abi Talib ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib, and your ally, 'Utba ibn 'Amr, the brother of Banu al-Harith ibn Fihr.' Al-'Abbas said, 'I do not have it, O Messenger of Allah.' The Messenger of Allah asked, 'Where is the wealth that you buried with your mother, al-Fadl?' He replied, 'If I die during this journey, this wealth is for my sons: al-Fadl ibn al-'Abbas, 'Abdullah ibn al-'Abbas, and Qutham ibn al-'Abbas!' He said to the Messenger of Allah, 'By Allah, O Messenger of Allah...'"

End quote.

Conversation with the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

The man said, "O Allah, I know that you are the Messenger of Allah. There is something that no one except me and Umm al-Fadl knows about. Please calculate for me, O Messenger of Allah, the equivalent of twenty ounces of wealth that I had." The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) responded, "No, that is something Allah has given us from you. He ransomed himself and the two sons of his uncle and ally, and Allah Almighty revealed in it, 'O Prophet, say to whoever is in your hands of the captives, 'If Allah knows [any] good in your hearts, He will give you [something] better than what was taken from you, and He will forgive you.' And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.' So Allah gave me in place of the twenty ounces in Islam twenty slaves, all of whom have money in their hands that they use to strike [a bargain] along with what I hope for from Allah's forgiveness."

Chain of Transmission

It was narrated by Ibn Ishaq from Abu Najih from Ataa from Ibn Abbas in this verse as we have mentioned.

Abu Zakariya ibn Abi Ishaq al-Muzakki informed us, saying: Abu al-Hasan Ahmad ibn Muhammad al-Tarayfii informed us, saying: Uthman ibn Saeed told us, saying: Abdullah ibn Saleh informed us, saying: Muawiya ibn Saleh narrated to me, from Ali ibn Abi Talha, from Ibn Abbas, regarding his saying, 'O Prophet, say to whoever is in your hands of the captives, 'If Allah knows [any] good in your hearts, He will give you [something] better than what was taken from you, and He will forgive you.' And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.' The Abbas was captured on the Day of Badr, and he ransomed himself with forty ounces of gold. When this verse was revealed, Abbas said, "Indeed, Allah Almighty has given us two qualities that I wish to have in this world. I was captured on the day of Badr and ransomed myself with forty ounces of gold, so Allah granted me forty slaves. I hope for the forgiveness that Allah Almighty has promised us."

Translation of the Classical Arabic Text

Abu Abdullah Al-Hafiz reported: He said, "Abu Ahmad Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Shuayb Al-Muaddil informed us, saying: Asad ibn Nuh reported to us, saying: Hisham ibn Yahya narrated to us, saying: Muhammad ibn Saad informed us, saying: Ali ibn Isa Al-Nawfali from his father, from his paternal uncle Is-haq ibn Abdullah ibn Al-Harith, from his father Abdullah ibn Al-Harith ibn Nawfal, who said: 'When Nawfal ibn Al-Harith was captured at Badr, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said to him, 'Ransom yourself, O Nawfal.' He replied, 'I have nothing to ransom myself with, O Messenger of Allah.' The Prophet said, 'Ransom yourself with what you have from Malik at Hurrat.' He testified that he believed in the Messenger of Allah, so he ransomed himself with it and it was the ransom."

The famous account among the people of battles is that Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, ransomed him.

It was narrated in this hadith that he ransomed himself with the wealth that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, informed about.

Reference: Tabqat Ibn Saad (4:43) and Al-Salhi in Al-Sirah Al-Shamiyyah (4:105)