Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas said, "The Prophet 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 turned away from him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ again asked,
«يَاأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ اللهَ قَدْ أَمْكَنَكُمْ مِنْهُمْ وَإِنَّمَا هُمْ إِخْوَانُكُمْ بِالْأَمْس»
(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 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,
لَّوْلاَ كِتَـبٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ سَبَقَ لَمَسَّكُمْ فِيمَآ 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,
لَّوْلاَ كِتَـبٌ 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 فِيمَآ أَخَذْتُمْ
(would have touched you for what you took), because of the captives.
عَذَابٌ عظِيمٌ
(a severe torment.) Allah, the Exalted said next,
فَكُلُواْ مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ حَلَـلاً طَيِّباً
(So enjoy what you have gotten of booty in war, lawful and good)." eAl-`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,
لَّوْلاَ كِتَـبٌ 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 عَامَّة»
(I have been given five things which were not given to any Prophet before me. (They are:) Allah made me victorious by awe, (by His frightening my enemies) for a distance of one month's journey. The earth has been made a place for praying and a purifyer for me. The booty has been made lawful for me, yet it = was not lawful for anyone else before me. I have been given the right of intercession (on the Day of Resurrection). Every Prophet used to be sent to his people only, but I have been sent to all mankind.)
Al-A`mash narrated that Abu Salih said that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«لَمْ تَحِلَّ الْغَنَائِمُ لِسُودِ الرُّؤُوسِ غَيْرَنَا»
(War booty was never allowed for any among mankind except us.) Abu Hurayrah said; This is why Allah the Most High said,
فَكُلُواْ مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ حَلَـلاً طَيِّباً
(So enjoy what you have gotten of booty in war, lawful and good.)
The Muslims then took the ransom for their captives. In his Sunan, Imam Abu Dawud recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fixed four hundred (Dirhams) in ransom from the people of Jahiliyyah in the aftermath of Badr. The majority of the scholars say that the matter of prisoners of war is up to the Imam. If he decides, he can have them killed, such as in the case of Bani Qurayzah. If he decides, he can accept a ransom for them, as in the case of the prisoners of Badr, or exchange them for Muslim prisoners. The Messenger ﷺ exchanged a woman and her daughter who were captured by Salamah bin Al-Akwa`, for exchange of some Muslims who were captured by the idolators, or if he decides he can take the prisoner as a captives.
Now eat of what you have plundered as lawful and good and fear God. Truly God is Forgiving Merciful.
فكلوا من الغنائم وفداء الأسرى فهو حلال طيب، وحافظوا على أحكام دين الله وتشريعاته. إن الله غفور لعباده، رحيم بهم.
قال الله تعالى "فكلوا ما غنمتم حلالا طيبا" الآية. وكذا روى العوفي عن ابن عباس وروى مثله عن أبي هريرة وابن مسعود وسعيد بن جبير وعطاء والحسن البصري وقتادة والأعمش أيضا أن المراد "لولا كتاب من الله سبق" لهذه الأمة بإحلال الغنائم وهو اختيار ابن جرير رحمه الله ويستشهد لهذا القول بما أخرجاه في الصحيحين عن جابر بن عبدالله رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "أعطيت خمسا لم يعطهن أحد من الأنبياء قبلي نصرت بالرعب مسيرة شهر وجعلت لي الأرض مسجدا وطهورا وأحلت لي الغنائم ولم تحل لأحد قبلي وأعطيت الشفاعة وكان النبي يبعث إلى قومه وبعثت إلى الناس عامة" وقال الأعمش عن أبي صالح عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "لم تحل الغنائم لسود الرءوس غيرنا" ولهذا قال تعالى "فكلوا مما غنمتم حلالا طيبا" الآية. فعند ذلك أخذوا من الأسارى الفداء وقد روى الإمام أبو داود في سننه حدثنا عبدالرحمن بن المبارك العبسي حدثنا سفيان بن حبيب حدثنا شعبة عن أبي العنبس عن أبي الشعثاء عن ابن عباس أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم جعل فداء أهل الجاهلية يوم بدر أربعمائة وقد استمر الحكم في الأسرى عند جمهور العلماء أن الإمام مخير فيهم إن شاء قتل كما فعل ببني قريظة وإن شاء فادى بمال كما فعل بأسرى بدر أو بمن أسر من المسلمين كما فعل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في تلك الجارية وابنتها اللتين كانتا في سبي سلمة بن الأكوع حيث ردهما وأخذ في مقابلتهما من المسلمين الذين كانوا عند المشركين وإن شاء استرق من أسر. هذا مذهب الإمام الشافعي وطائفة من العلماء وفي المسألة خلاف آخر بين الأئمة مقرر في موضعه من كتب الفقه.
ثم زاد - سبحانه - المؤمنين فضلا ومنه فقال : ( فَكُلُواْ مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ حَلاَلاً طَيِّباً واتقوا الله إِنَّ الله غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ) .قال الآلوسى روى أنه لما نزلت الآية الأولى ( مَا كَانَ لِنَبِيٍّ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُ أسرى . . . ) كف الصحابة أيديهم عما أخوا من الفداء فنزلت هذه الآية .فالمراد بقوله ( مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ ) إما الفدية وإما مطلق الغنائم ، والمراد بيان حكم ما اندرج فيها من الفدية ، وإلا فحل الغنيمة مما عداها علم سابقاً من قوله :( واعلموا أَنَّمَا غَنِمْتُمْ ) وقيل المراد بقوله : ( مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ ) الغنائم من غير اندراج الفدية فيها ، لأن القوم لما نزلت الآية الأولى امتنعوا عن الأكل والتصرف فيها تزهداً منهم ، لا ظناً لحرمتها . . والفاء للعطف على سبب مقدر ، أى قد أبحت لكم الغنائم فكلوا مما غنمتم .والمعنى : لقد عفوت عنكم - أيها المؤمنون - فيما وقعتم فيه من تفضيلكم أخذ الفداء من الأسرى على قتلهم ، وأبحث لكم الانتفاع بالغنائم فكلوا مما غنمتم من أعدائكم حلالا طيباً ، أى لذيذاً هينئاً لا شبهة فى أكله ولا ضرر ( واتقوا الله ) فى كل أحوالكم بأن تخشوه وتراقبوه ( إِنَّ الله غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ) ولذا غفر لكم ما فرط منكم وأباح إليه توبة صادقة .وقوله ( حَلاَلاً ) حال من " ما " الموصولة فى قوله : ( مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ ) أو صفة لمصدر محذوف ، أى : أكلاً حلالا .ووصف هذا المأمور بأكله بأنه حلال طيب ، تأكيداً للإِباحة حتى يقبلوا على الأكل منه بدون تحرج أو تردد ، فإن معاتبتهم على أخذ الفداء قبل ذلك جعلتهم يترددون فى الانتفاع به وبما غنموه من أعدائهم .
القول في تأويل قوله : فَكُلُوا مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ حَلالا طَيِّبًا وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ (69)قال أبو جعفر: يقول تعالى ذكره للمؤمنين من أهل بدر: (فكلوا)، أيها المؤمنون =(مما غنمتم)، من أموال المشركين =(حلالا)، بإحلاله لكم =(طيبا واتقوا الله)، يقول: وخافوا الله أن تعودوا، أن تفعلوا في دينكم شيئا بعد هذه من قبل أن يُعْهَد فيه إليكم, كما فعلتم في أخذ الفداء وأكل الغنيمة، وأخذتموهما من قبل أن يحلا لكم =(إن الله غفور رحيم). (61)* * *وهذا من المؤخر الذي معناه التقديم, وتأويل الكلام: (فكلوا مما غنمتم حلالا طيبا),(إن الله غفور رحيم),(واتقوا الله).* * *ويعني بقوله: (إن الله غفور)، لذنوب أهل الإيمان من عباده =(رحيم)، بهم، أن يعاقبهم بعد توبتهم منها.------------------------الهوامش:(61) انظر تفسير ألفاظ الآية فيما سلف من فهارس اللغة .
فقال الله تعالى : ( فكلوا مما غنمتم حلالا طيبا واتقوا الله إن الله غفور رحيم ) روي أنه لما نزلت الآية الأولى كف أصحاب رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - أيديهم عما أخذوا من الفداء فنزل : ( فكلوا مما غنمتم ) الآية . وروينا عن جابر رضي الله عنه أن النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - قال : " أحلت لي الغنائم ولم تحل لأحد قبلي " .أخبرنا حسان بن سعيد المنيعي ، أنا أبو طاهر الزيادي ، أنا محمد بن الحسين القطان ، ثنا أحمد بن يوسف السلمي ، ثنا عبد الرزاق ، أنبأنا معمر عن همام ، ثنا أبو هريرة قال : قال رسول الله : " لم تحل الغنائم لأحد من قبلنا ، وذلك بأن الله رأى ضعفنا وعجزنا فطيبها لنا " . .
الفاء تؤذن بتفريع هذا الكلام على ما قبله . وفي هذا التفريع وجهان :أحدهما : الذي جرى عليه كلام المفسّرين أنّه تفريع على قوله : { لولا كتاب من الله سبق } [ الأنفال : 68 ] إلخ . . . أي لولا ما سبق من حلّ الغنائم لكم لمسّكم عذاب عظيم ، وإذ قد سبق الحلّ فلا تبعة عليكم في الانتفاع بمال الفداء . وقد روي أنّه لمّا نزل قوله تعالى : { ما كان لنبي أن يكون له أسرى } [ الأنفال : 67 ] الآية ، أمسكوا عن الانتفاع بمال الفداء ، فنزل قوله تعالى : { فكلوا مما غنمتم حلالاً طيبا } وعلى هذا الوجه قد سمّي مال الفداء غنيمة تسمية بالاسم اللغوي دون الاسم الشرعي؛ لأنّ الغنيمة في اصطلاح الشرع هي ما افتكّه المسلمون من مال العدوّ بالإيجاف عليهم .والوجه الثاني : يظهر لي أنّ التفريع ناشىء على التحذير من العود إلى مثل ذلك في المستقبل ، وأنّ المعنى : فاكتفوا بما تغنمونه ولا تفادوا الأسرى إلى أن تثخنوا في الأرض . وهذا هو المناسب لإطلاق اسم الغنيمة هنا إذ لا ينبغي صرفه عن معناه الشرعي .ولمّا تضمّن قوله : { لولا كتاب من الله سبق } [ الأنفال : 68 ] امتناناً عليهم بأنّه صرف عنهم بأس العدوّ ، فرّع على الامتنان الإذن لهم بأن ينتفعوا بمال الفداء في مصالحهم ، ويتوسّعوا به في نفقاتهم ، دون نكد ولا غصّة ، فإنّهم استغنوا به مع الأمن من ضرّ العدوّ بفضل الله . فتلك نعمة لم يشُبها أذى .وعبّر عن الانتفاع الهنيء بالأكل : لأنّ الأكل أقوى كيفيّات الانتفاع بالشيء ، فإنّ الآكِل ينعم بلذاذة المأكول وبدَفْع ألم الجوع عن نفسه ودفع الألم لذاذة ويكسبه الأكلُ قوة وصحّة والصحة مع القوّة لذاذة أيضاً .والأمر في { كلوا } مستعمل في المنّة ولا يحمل على الإباحة هنا : لأنّ إباحة المغانم مقرّرة من قبله يوم بدر ، وليكون قوله : { حلالاً } حالاً مؤسسّة لا مؤكّدة لمعنى الإباحة .و { غنمتم } بمعنى فاديتم لأنّ الفداء عوض عن الأسرى والأسرى من المغانم .والطيب : النفيس في نوعه ، أي حلالاً من خير الحلال .وذُيّل ذلك بالأمر بالتقوى : لأنّ التقوى شكر الله على ما أنعم من دفع العذاب عنهم .وجملة : { إن الله غفور رحيم } تعليل للأمر بالتقوى ، وتنبيه على أنّ التقوى شكر على النعمة ، فحرف التأكيد للاهتمام ، وهو مغن غَناء فاء التفريع ، كقول بشار: ... إنّ ذاك النجاح في التبكيروقد تقدّم ذكره غير مرة .وهذه القضية إحدى قضايا جاء فيها القرآن مؤيّداً لرأي عمر بن الخطاب . فقد روى مسلمٌ عن عمر ، قال : «وافقتُ ربّي في ثلاث : في مقام إبراهيم ، وفي الحجاب ، وفي أسارى بدر» .
تفسير الآيتين 68 و69 :ـ {لَوْلَا كِتَابٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ سَبَقَ} به القضاء والقدر، أنه قد أحل لكم الغنائم، وأن اللّه رفع عنكم ـ أيها الأمة ـ العذاب {لَمَسَّكُمْ فِيمَا أَخَذْتُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ} وفي الحديث: (لو نزل عذاب يوم بدر، ما نجا منه إلا عمر) {فَكُلُوا مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا} وهذا من لطفه تعالى بهذه الأمة، أن أحل لها الغنائم ولم يحلها لأمة قبلها. {وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ} في جميع أموركم ولازموها، شكرا لنعم اللّه عليكم،. {إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ} يغفر لمن تاب إليه جميع الذنوب،.ويغفر لمن لم يشرك به شيئا جميع المعاصي. {رَحِيمٌ} بكم، حيث أباح لكم الغنائم وجعلها حلالا طيبا.
قوله تعالى فكلوا مما غنمتم حلالا طيبا واتقوا الله إن الله غفور رحيم يقتضي ظاهره أن تكون الغنيمة كلها للغانمين ، وأن يكونوا مشتركين فيها على السواء ، إلا أن قوله تعالى : واعلموا أنما غنمتم من شيء فأن لله خمسه بين وجوب إخراج الخمس منه وصرفه إلى الوجوه المذكورة . وقد تقدم القول في هذا مستوفى .
At the battle of Badr, the Muslims killed seventy of the Quraysh’s greatest men and captured another seventy. Many of these captives were chiefs. After the battle, a consultation was held to decide the fate of these prisoners. The majority of the companions were for ransoming them. These enemies were continuously hostile. But the Muslims lacked the resources to defend themselves. So, it was thought that the ransom could be utilised to purchase armaments. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab and Sa‘d ibn Ma‘az were against this opinion. ‘Umar said: ‘O, Prophet of God, these prisoners are the leaders of those who deny the truth. The real strength of our enemies has fallen into our hands. They should be killed so that the problem is solved once and for all.’ However, the Prophet Muhammad acted on the first opinion. Later on, those verses were revealed in which there were comments on the battle. While the ransom was declared legitimate by God, displeasure was expressed on that transaction. Releasing the war prisoners on a ransom was apparently a matter of mercy and grace, but it was not in accordance with the long term plan of God. God planned to root out paganism and polytheism and had caused all the leaders of the Quraysh (except Abu Lahab and Abu Sufyan) to gather on the field of Badr, arranging matters in such a way that they came entirely under the control of the Muslims. Had these leaders been killed at that time, the resistance of paganism and polytheism to montheism would have been completely buried in Badr itself. The result of releasing these leaders was that they were able to re-organise themselves and continue the resistance movement. This decision was against the Muslims’ war strategy, and could have become the cause of the most serious difficulties for them. These leaders, along with their followers, could have completely finished the entire mission of Islam. But God had ordained that the Last Prophet and his companions should necessarily overcome everything. That is the reason why, in spite of this shortcoming in strategy, the Quraysh were not able to overcome the Faithful.
Ruling 1: In the verse under discussion, admonition came upon releasing prisoners against ransom or collecting spoils, warning of Divine punishment was given, then came forgiveness. But, what remained still not clear was the future course Muslims would be required to take in such matters. Therefore, in the next verse (69), the matter relating to spoils was made all too clear by saying: فَكُلُوا مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ (So, eat of the spoils you have got), that is, it has been made lawful for you in the future. But, even now, there remains a doubt to the effect that the injunction making spoils lawful had come at the present stage, however, spoils which had been collected in error before the coming of this injunction may contain some element of undesirability in it. Therefore, by saying: حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا (lawful and pure - 69) soon after it, even this doubt was removed. It means: Though, taking the initiative in collecting spoils, before the revelation of Divine guideline, was not correct - but now that the injunction making spoils lawful has been revealed, all that has been collected earlier is also lawful without any shade of repugnance or reprehensibility (karahah) in it.
Ruling 2: At this point, worth notice and retention is a principle of Islamic jurisprudence: When some impermissible initiative is regularized through a standing verse, no effect of the previous initiative remains operative therein. The property becomes lawful and pure - as it happened here. But, there is a corresponding instance relevant to what has been stated above. Take a case in which there was an injunction already revealed, but its revelation did not seem to affect the initiators of an action, based on which they went on to contravene it. It was later on that they found out that the particular deed of theirs was contrary to such and such injunction of the Qur'an and Sunnah. Then, in such a situation, after the coming of the injunction, that property does not remain lawful - even though the previous error is forgiven. (Nuru 'l-Anwar, Mulla Jiwan) However, in the present verse, spoils have, no doubt, been declared to be lawful and pure, but the restriction imposed at the end of the verse was: وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ (and fear Allah. Surely, Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful - 69). The hint given here is that, though spoils have been made lawful, but that too has been made lawful under a particular law. Taking against that law or taking more than due shall not still be permissible.
There were two matters in question here: (1) Spoils (2) Release of prisoners against ransom. The first problem was resolved clearly by the present verse, but the other matter was yet to be cleared. Regarding this, the following verse of Surah Muhammad was revealed:
فَإِذَا لَقِيتُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَضَرْبَ الرِّقَابِ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَثْخَنتُمُوهُمْ فَشُدُّوا الْوَثَاقَ فَإِمَّا مَنًّا بَعْدُ وَإِمَّا فِدَاءً حَتَّىٰ تَضَعَ الْحَرْبُ أَوْزَارَهَا
So, when you confront those who disbelieve at war, then keep beheading them until when you have had a thorough blood-shed to break their power, then shackle them tight. After that, either free them as favour without any return or release them against ransom - until the war lays down its arms - 47:4)
Sayyidna ` Abdullah ibn ` Abbas ؓ says: Divine admonition came upon releasing prisoners against ransom in the battle of Badr. This was the first Jihad of Islam. That was a time when the might and power of disbelievers was yet to break apart. It was by chance that they had run into trouble. Finally, when Islam and Muslims went on to achieve total ascendency, Allah Ta` ala abrogated the earlier injunction and revealed the verse of the Surah Muhammad quoted above in which the Holy Prophet ﷺ and Muslims have been given four options about prisoners. These are:
ان شاء واقتلوھم وان شاء وا استعبدوھم وان شاء وا افادوھم وان شاء وا اعتقوھم۔
If they wish, they can kill them all; or if they wish, they can put them in bondage; or if they wish, they can release them against ransom; or if they wish, they can (just) free them (without taking any ransom). (Mazhari)
There is a consensus of the entire Muslim Ummah on the first two of the four options mentioned above that the Amir of Muslims has the dual right of killing the prisoners and holding them in bondage, but there is a difference of opinion among Muslim jurists about setting them free without compensation or releasing them against it.
The position taken by Imam Malik, Shafi` i, Ahmad. ibn Hanbal, Thawri, Ishaq, and Hasan al-Basri and 'Ata' from among the Tabi` in, is that both these forms are permissible for the Amir of Muslims - that he may release the prisoners against compensation, or set them free without compensation, or exchange them for Muslim prisoners.
But Imam Abu- Hanifah, Abu Yusuf, Muhammad, Awza` i, and Qatadah, Dahhak, Suddiyy and Ibn Jurayj say that setting them free is just not permissible without compensation. Even releasing them against ransom is not permissible in the well-known creed of Imam Abu Hanifah. However, it appears in a report of al-Siyar al-Kabir that, should Muslims be in need of financial support, they can release prisoners against ransom. However, releasing them in exchange for Muslim prisoners is permissible with Imam Abu Hanifah and the two Jurists, Imams Abu Yusuf and Muhammad. (As evident from the two reports from them - Mazhari).
Those who have permitted release against ransom or without ransom, they - as said by Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas ؓ - regard the verse of Surah Muhammad to be the abrogator (nasikh) of the verse of Surah Al-Anfal and take the later as abrogated (mansukh). According to Hanafi jurists, what stands abrogated (mansukh) is the verse of Surah Muhammad, while the verses of Surah Al-Anfal: فَشَرِّدْ بِهِم مَّنْ خَلْفَهُمْ (make them an example, for those behind them -57) and Surah Al-Taubah: فَاقْتُلُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ حَيْثُ وَجَدتُّمُوهُمْ (kill the Mushriks wherever you find them -9:5) are its abrogator (nasikh). Therefore, according to them, it is not permissible to release the prisoners, whether against ransom or without it. (Mazhari)
But, a careful deliberation into the respective words of the verses of Su-rah Al-Anfal and Surah Muhammad leaves us with the impression that none of these two can be called the abrogator or the abrogated. In fact, they are two injunctions for two different situations.
It can be seen that the pivotal injunction of breaking the power of disbelievers (اَثخان فی العرض) has been taken up in the verse of Surah Al-Anfal, then, the option of releasing prisoners without compensation or against it (in the form of: من وفداء) has been given in Surah Muhammad too, but the main objective has already been stated in the former - that of' ithkhan fi 'l-ard'. Thus, it means that once the power facade of the disbelievers has been broken through a thorough blood-shed, Muslims have the option of releasing prisoners against ransom, or setting them free without any ransom.
The report of al-Siyar al-Kabir from Imam Abu Hanifah (رح) could also be intended to establish that both kinds of injunctions can be given keeping in view the conditions and needs Muslims are faced with. 1.
1. Some more detail about the war-prisoners will appear in the commentary of Surah Muhammad insha-allah. (Editor)
(Now enjoy what ye have won) at Badr of spoils of war, (as lawful and good, and keep your duty to Allah) and fear Allah regarding this. (Lo! Allah is Forgiving) He overlooks transgressions, (Merciful) regarding that which ensued from you at Badr concerning the ransom of prisoners.
But [now] enjoy what you took in war, lawful and good�He said:The lawful (ḥalāl) is that in which [a person] does not disobey God, and the good (ṭayyib) is that in which he does not forget God.His words:
Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas said, "The Prophet 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 turned away from him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ again asked,
«يَاأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ اللهَ قَدْ أَمْكَنَكُمْ مِنْهُمْ وَإِنَّمَا هُمْ إِخْوَانُكُمْ بِالْأَمْس»
(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 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,
لَّوْلاَ كِتَـبٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ سَبَقَ لَمَسَّكُمْ فِيمَآ 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,
لَّوْلاَ كِتَـبٌ 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 فِيمَآ أَخَذْتُمْ
(would have touched you for what you took), because of the captives.
عَذَابٌ عظِيمٌ
(a severe torment.) Allah, the Exalted said next,
فَكُلُواْ مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ حَلَـلاً طَيِّباً
(So enjoy what you have gotten of booty in war, lawful and good)." eAl-`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,
لَّوْلاَ كِتَـبٌ 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 عَامَّة»
(I have been given five things which were not given to any Prophet before me. (They are:) Allah made me victorious by awe, (by His frightening my enemies) for a distance of one month's journey. The earth has been made a place for praying and a purifyer for me. The booty has been made lawful for me, yet it = was not lawful for anyone else before me. I have been given the right of intercession (on the Day of Resurrection). Every Prophet used to be sent to his people only, but I have been sent to all mankind.)
Al-A`mash narrated that Abu Salih said that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
«لَمْ تَحِلَّ الْغَنَائِمُ لِسُودِ الرُّؤُوسِ غَيْرَنَا»
(War booty was never allowed for any among mankind except us.) Abu Hurayrah said; This is why Allah the Most High said,
فَكُلُواْ مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ حَلَـلاً طَيِّباً
(So enjoy what you have gotten of booty in war, lawful and good.)
The Muslims then took the ransom for their captives. In his Sunan, Imam Abu Dawud recorded that Ibn `Abbas said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fixed four hundred (Dirhams) in ransom from the people of Jahiliyyah in the aftermath of Badr. The majority of the scholars say that the matter of prisoners of war is up to the Imam. If he decides, he can have them killed, such as in the case of Bani Qurayzah. If he decides, he can accept a ransom for them, as in the case of the prisoners of Badr, or exchange them for Muslim prisoners. The Messenger ﷺ exchanged a woman and her daughter who were captured by Salamah bin Al-Akwa`, for exchange of some Muslims who were captured by the idolators, or if he decides he can take the prisoner as a captives.
Now eat of what you have plundered as lawful and good and fear God. Truly God is Forgiving Merciful.
فكلوا من الغنائم وفداء الأسرى فهو حلال طيب، وحافظوا على أحكام دين الله وتشريعاته. إن الله غفور لعباده، رحيم بهم.
قال الله تعالى "فكلوا ما غنمتم حلالا طيبا" الآية. وكذا روى العوفي عن ابن عباس وروى مثله عن أبي هريرة وابن مسعود وسعيد بن جبير وعطاء والحسن البصري وقتادة والأعمش أيضا أن المراد "لولا كتاب من الله سبق" لهذه الأمة بإحلال الغنائم وهو اختيار ابن جرير رحمه الله ويستشهد لهذا القول بما أخرجاه في الصحيحين عن جابر بن عبدالله رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "أعطيت خمسا لم يعطهن أحد من الأنبياء قبلي نصرت بالرعب مسيرة شهر وجعلت لي الأرض مسجدا وطهورا وأحلت لي الغنائم ولم تحل لأحد قبلي وأعطيت الشفاعة وكان النبي يبعث إلى قومه وبعثت إلى الناس عامة" وقال الأعمش عن أبي صالح عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم "لم تحل الغنائم لسود الرءوس غيرنا" ولهذا قال تعالى "فكلوا مما غنمتم حلالا طيبا" الآية. فعند ذلك أخذوا من الأسارى الفداء وقد روى الإمام أبو داود في سننه حدثنا عبدالرحمن بن المبارك العبسي حدثنا سفيان بن حبيب حدثنا شعبة عن أبي العنبس عن أبي الشعثاء عن ابن عباس أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم جعل فداء أهل الجاهلية يوم بدر أربعمائة وقد استمر الحكم في الأسرى عند جمهور العلماء أن الإمام مخير فيهم إن شاء قتل كما فعل ببني قريظة وإن شاء فادى بمال كما فعل بأسرى بدر أو بمن أسر من المسلمين كما فعل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في تلك الجارية وابنتها اللتين كانتا في سبي سلمة بن الأكوع حيث ردهما وأخذ في مقابلتهما من المسلمين الذين كانوا عند المشركين وإن شاء استرق من أسر. هذا مذهب الإمام الشافعي وطائفة من العلماء وفي المسألة خلاف آخر بين الأئمة مقرر في موضعه من كتب الفقه.
ثم زاد - سبحانه - المؤمنين فضلا ومنه فقال : ( فَكُلُواْ مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ حَلاَلاً طَيِّباً واتقوا الله إِنَّ الله غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ) .قال الآلوسى روى أنه لما نزلت الآية الأولى ( مَا كَانَ لِنَبِيٍّ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُ أسرى . . . ) كف الصحابة أيديهم عما أخوا من الفداء فنزلت هذه الآية .فالمراد بقوله ( مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ ) إما الفدية وإما مطلق الغنائم ، والمراد بيان حكم ما اندرج فيها من الفدية ، وإلا فحل الغنيمة مما عداها علم سابقاً من قوله :( واعلموا أَنَّمَا غَنِمْتُمْ ) وقيل المراد بقوله : ( مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ ) الغنائم من غير اندراج الفدية فيها ، لأن القوم لما نزلت الآية الأولى امتنعوا عن الأكل والتصرف فيها تزهداً منهم ، لا ظناً لحرمتها . . والفاء للعطف على سبب مقدر ، أى قد أبحت لكم الغنائم فكلوا مما غنمتم .والمعنى : لقد عفوت عنكم - أيها المؤمنون - فيما وقعتم فيه من تفضيلكم أخذ الفداء من الأسرى على قتلهم ، وأبحث لكم الانتفاع بالغنائم فكلوا مما غنمتم من أعدائكم حلالا طيباً ، أى لذيذاً هينئاً لا شبهة فى أكله ولا ضرر ( واتقوا الله ) فى كل أحوالكم بأن تخشوه وتراقبوه ( إِنَّ الله غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ ) ولذا غفر لكم ما فرط منكم وأباح إليه توبة صادقة .وقوله ( حَلاَلاً ) حال من " ما " الموصولة فى قوله : ( مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ ) أو صفة لمصدر محذوف ، أى : أكلاً حلالا .ووصف هذا المأمور بأكله بأنه حلال طيب ، تأكيداً للإِباحة حتى يقبلوا على الأكل منه بدون تحرج أو تردد ، فإن معاتبتهم على أخذ الفداء قبل ذلك جعلتهم يترددون فى الانتفاع به وبما غنموه من أعدائهم .
القول في تأويل قوله : فَكُلُوا مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ حَلالا طَيِّبًا وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ (69)قال أبو جعفر: يقول تعالى ذكره للمؤمنين من أهل بدر: (فكلوا)، أيها المؤمنون =(مما غنمتم)، من أموال المشركين =(حلالا)، بإحلاله لكم =(طيبا واتقوا الله)، يقول: وخافوا الله أن تعودوا، أن تفعلوا في دينكم شيئا بعد هذه من قبل أن يُعْهَد فيه إليكم, كما فعلتم في أخذ الفداء وأكل الغنيمة، وأخذتموهما من قبل أن يحلا لكم =(إن الله غفور رحيم). (61)* * *وهذا من المؤخر الذي معناه التقديم, وتأويل الكلام: (فكلوا مما غنمتم حلالا طيبا),(إن الله غفور رحيم),(واتقوا الله).* * *ويعني بقوله: (إن الله غفور)، لذنوب أهل الإيمان من عباده =(رحيم)، بهم، أن يعاقبهم بعد توبتهم منها.------------------------الهوامش:(61) انظر تفسير ألفاظ الآية فيما سلف من فهارس اللغة .
فقال الله تعالى : ( فكلوا مما غنمتم حلالا طيبا واتقوا الله إن الله غفور رحيم ) روي أنه لما نزلت الآية الأولى كف أصحاب رسول الله - صلى الله عليه وسلم - أيديهم عما أخذوا من الفداء فنزل : ( فكلوا مما غنمتم ) الآية . وروينا عن جابر رضي الله عنه أن النبي - صلى الله عليه وسلم - قال : " أحلت لي الغنائم ولم تحل لأحد قبلي " .أخبرنا حسان بن سعيد المنيعي ، أنا أبو طاهر الزيادي ، أنا محمد بن الحسين القطان ، ثنا أحمد بن يوسف السلمي ، ثنا عبد الرزاق ، أنبأنا معمر عن همام ، ثنا أبو هريرة قال : قال رسول الله : " لم تحل الغنائم لأحد من قبلنا ، وذلك بأن الله رأى ضعفنا وعجزنا فطيبها لنا " . .
الفاء تؤذن بتفريع هذا الكلام على ما قبله . وفي هذا التفريع وجهان :أحدهما : الذي جرى عليه كلام المفسّرين أنّه تفريع على قوله : { لولا كتاب من الله سبق } [ الأنفال : 68 ] إلخ . . . أي لولا ما سبق من حلّ الغنائم لكم لمسّكم عذاب عظيم ، وإذ قد سبق الحلّ فلا تبعة عليكم في الانتفاع بمال الفداء . وقد روي أنّه لمّا نزل قوله تعالى : { ما كان لنبي أن يكون له أسرى } [ الأنفال : 67 ] الآية ، أمسكوا عن الانتفاع بمال الفداء ، فنزل قوله تعالى : { فكلوا مما غنمتم حلالاً طيبا } وعلى هذا الوجه قد سمّي مال الفداء غنيمة تسمية بالاسم اللغوي دون الاسم الشرعي؛ لأنّ الغنيمة في اصطلاح الشرع هي ما افتكّه المسلمون من مال العدوّ بالإيجاف عليهم .والوجه الثاني : يظهر لي أنّ التفريع ناشىء على التحذير من العود إلى مثل ذلك في المستقبل ، وأنّ المعنى : فاكتفوا بما تغنمونه ولا تفادوا الأسرى إلى أن تثخنوا في الأرض . وهذا هو المناسب لإطلاق اسم الغنيمة هنا إذ لا ينبغي صرفه عن معناه الشرعي .ولمّا تضمّن قوله : { لولا كتاب من الله سبق } [ الأنفال : 68 ] امتناناً عليهم بأنّه صرف عنهم بأس العدوّ ، فرّع على الامتنان الإذن لهم بأن ينتفعوا بمال الفداء في مصالحهم ، ويتوسّعوا به في نفقاتهم ، دون نكد ولا غصّة ، فإنّهم استغنوا به مع الأمن من ضرّ العدوّ بفضل الله . فتلك نعمة لم يشُبها أذى .وعبّر عن الانتفاع الهنيء بالأكل : لأنّ الأكل أقوى كيفيّات الانتفاع بالشيء ، فإنّ الآكِل ينعم بلذاذة المأكول وبدَفْع ألم الجوع عن نفسه ودفع الألم لذاذة ويكسبه الأكلُ قوة وصحّة والصحة مع القوّة لذاذة أيضاً .والأمر في { كلوا } مستعمل في المنّة ولا يحمل على الإباحة هنا : لأنّ إباحة المغانم مقرّرة من قبله يوم بدر ، وليكون قوله : { حلالاً } حالاً مؤسسّة لا مؤكّدة لمعنى الإباحة .و { غنمتم } بمعنى فاديتم لأنّ الفداء عوض عن الأسرى والأسرى من المغانم .والطيب : النفيس في نوعه ، أي حلالاً من خير الحلال .وذُيّل ذلك بالأمر بالتقوى : لأنّ التقوى شكر الله على ما أنعم من دفع العذاب عنهم .وجملة : { إن الله غفور رحيم } تعليل للأمر بالتقوى ، وتنبيه على أنّ التقوى شكر على النعمة ، فحرف التأكيد للاهتمام ، وهو مغن غَناء فاء التفريع ، كقول بشار: ... إنّ ذاك النجاح في التبكيروقد تقدّم ذكره غير مرة .وهذه القضية إحدى قضايا جاء فيها القرآن مؤيّداً لرأي عمر بن الخطاب . فقد روى مسلمٌ عن عمر ، قال : «وافقتُ ربّي في ثلاث : في مقام إبراهيم ، وفي الحجاب ، وفي أسارى بدر» .
تفسير الآيتين 68 و69 :ـ {لَوْلَا كِتَابٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ سَبَقَ} به القضاء والقدر، أنه قد أحل لكم الغنائم، وأن اللّه رفع عنكم ـ أيها الأمة ـ العذاب {لَمَسَّكُمْ فِيمَا أَخَذْتُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ} وفي الحديث: (لو نزل عذاب يوم بدر، ما نجا منه إلا عمر) {فَكُلُوا مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا} وهذا من لطفه تعالى بهذه الأمة، أن أحل لها الغنائم ولم يحلها لأمة قبلها. {وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ} في جميع أموركم ولازموها، شكرا لنعم اللّه عليكم،. {إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ} يغفر لمن تاب إليه جميع الذنوب،.ويغفر لمن لم يشرك به شيئا جميع المعاصي. {رَحِيمٌ} بكم، حيث أباح لكم الغنائم وجعلها حلالا طيبا.
قوله تعالى فكلوا مما غنمتم حلالا طيبا واتقوا الله إن الله غفور رحيم يقتضي ظاهره أن تكون الغنيمة كلها للغانمين ، وأن يكونوا مشتركين فيها على السواء ، إلا أن قوله تعالى : واعلموا أنما غنمتم من شيء فأن لله خمسه بين وجوب إخراج الخمس منه وصرفه إلى الوجوه المذكورة . وقد تقدم القول في هذا مستوفى .
At the battle of Badr, the Muslims killed seventy of the Quraysh’s greatest men and captured another seventy. Many of these captives were chiefs. After the battle, a consultation was held to decide the fate of these prisoners. The majority of the companions were for ransoming them. These enemies were continuously hostile. But the Muslims lacked the resources to defend themselves. So, it was thought that the ransom could be utilised to purchase armaments. ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab and Sa‘d ibn Ma‘az were against this opinion. ‘Umar said: ‘O, Prophet of God, these prisoners are the leaders of those who deny the truth. The real strength of our enemies has fallen into our hands. They should be killed so that the problem is solved once and for all.’ However, the Prophet Muhammad acted on the first opinion. Later on, those verses were revealed in which there were comments on the battle. While the ransom was declared legitimate by God, displeasure was expressed on that transaction. Releasing the war prisoners on a ransom was apparently a matter of mercy and grace, but it was not in accordance with the long term plan of God. God planned to root out paganism and polytheism and had caused all the leaders of the Quraysh (except Abu Lahab and Abu Sufyan) to gather on the field of Badr, arranging matters in such a way that they came entirely under the control of the Muslims. Had these leaders been killed at that time, the resistance of paganism and polytheism to montheism would have been completely buried in Badr itself. The result of releasing these leaders was that they were able to re-organise themselves and continue the resistance movement. This decision was against the Muslims’ war strategy, and could have become the cause of the most serious difficulties for them. These leaders, along with their followers, could have completely finished the entire mission of Islam. But God had ordained that the Last Prophet and his companions should necessarily overcome everything. That is the reason why, in spite of this shortcoming in strategy, the Quraysh were not able to overcome the Faithful.
Ruling 1: In the verse under discussion, admonition came upon releasing prisoners against ransom or collecting spoils, warning of Divine punishment was given, then came forgiveness. But, what remained still not clear was the future course Muslims would be required to take in such matters. Therefore, in the next verse (69), the matter relating to spoils was made all too clear by saying: فَكُلُوا مِمَّا غَنِمْتُمْ (So, eat of the spoils you have got), that is, it has been made lawful for you in the future. But, even now, there remains a doubt to the effect that the injunction making spoils lawful had come at the present stage, however, spoils which had been collected in error before the coming of this injunction may contain some element of undesirability in it. Therefore, by saying: حَلَالًا طَيِّبًا (lawful and pure - 69) soon after it, even this doubt was removed. It means: Though, taking the initiative in collecting spoils, before the revelation of Divine guideline, was not correct - but now that the injunction making spoils lawful has been revealed, all that has been collected earlier is also lawful without any shade of repugnance or reprehensibility (karahah) in it.
Ruling 2: At this point, worth notice and retention is a principle of Islamic jurisprudence: When some impermissible initiative is regularized through a standing verse, no effect of the previous initiative remains operative therein. The property becomes lawful and pure - as it happened here. But, there is a corresponding instance relevant to what has been stated above. Take a case in which there was an injunction already revealed, but its revelation did not seem to affect the initiators of an action, based on which they went on to contravene it. It was later on that they found out that the particular deed of theirs was contrary to such and such injunction of the Qur'an and Sunnah. Then, in such a situation, after the coming of the injunction, that property does not remain lawful - even though the previous error is forgiven. (Nuru 'l-Anwar, Mulla Jiwan) However, in the present verse, spoils have, no doubt, been declared to be lawful and pure, but the restriction imposed at the end of the verse was: وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ (and fear Allah. Surely, Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful - 69). The hint given here is that, though spoils have been made lawful, but that too has been made lawful under a particular law. Taking against that law or taking more than due shall not still be permissible.
There were two matters in question here: (1) Spoils (2) Release of prisoners against ransom. The first problem was resolved clearly by the present verse, but the other matter was yet to be cleared. Regarding this, the following verse of Surah Muhammad was revealed:
فَإِذَا لَقِيتُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَضَرْبَ الرِّقَابِ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا أَثْخَنتُمُوهُمْ فَشُدُّوا الْوَثَاقَ فَإِمَّا مَنًّا بَعْدُ وَإِمَّا فِدَاءً حَتَّىٰ تَضَعَ الْحَرْبُ أَوْزَارَهَا
So, when you confront those who disbelieve at war, then keep beheading them until when you have had a thorough blood-shed to break their power, then shackle them tight. After that, either free them as favour without any return or release them against ransom - until the war lays down its arms - 47:4)
Sayyidna ` Abdullah ibn ` Abbas ؓ says: Divine admonition came upon releasing prisoners against ransom in the battle of Badr. This was the first Jihad of Islam. That was a time when the might and power of disbelievers was yet to break apart. It was by chance that they had run into trouble. Finally, when Islam and Muslims went on to achieve total ascendency, Allah Ta` ala abrogated the earlier injunction and revealed the verse of the Surah Muhammad quoted above in which the Holy Prophet ﷺ and Muslims have been given four options about prisoners. These are:
ان شاء واقتلوھم وان شاء وا استعبدوھم وان شاء وا افادوھم وان شاء وا اعتقوھم۔
If they wish, they can kill them all; or if they wish, they can put them in bondage; or if they wish, they can release them against ransom; or if they wish, they can (just) free them (without taking any ransom). (Mazhari)
There is a consensus of the entire Muslim Ummah on the first two of the four options mentioned above that the Amir of Muslims has the dual right of killing the prisoners and holding them in bondage, but there is a difference of opinion among Muslim jurists about setting them free without compensation or releasing them against it.
The position taken by Imam Malik, Shafi` i, Ahmad. ibn Hanbal, Thawri, Ishaq, and Hasan al-Basri and 'Ata' from among the Tabi` in, is that both these forms are permissible for the Amir of Muslims - that he may release the prisoners against compensation, or set them free without compensation, or exchange them for Muslim prisoners.
But Imam Abu- Hanifah, Abu Yusuf, Muhammad, Awza` i, and Qatadah, Dahhak, Suddiyy and Ibn Jurayj say that setting them free is just not permissible without compensation. Even releasing them against ransom is not permissible in the well-known creed of Imam Abu Hanifah. However, it appears in a report of al-Siyar al-Kabir that, should Muslims be in need of financial support, they can release prisoners against ransom. However, releasing them in exchange for Muslim prisoners is permissible with Imam Abu Hanifah and the two Jurists, Imams Abu Yusuf and Muhammad. (As evident from the two reports from them - Mazhari).
Those who have permitted release against ransom or without ransom, they - as said by Sayyidna Ibn ` Abbas ؓ - regard the verse of Surah Muhammad to be the abrogator (nasikh) of the verse of Surah Al-Anfal and take the later as abrogated (mansukh). According to Hanafi jurists, what stands abrogated (mansukh) is the verse of Surah Muhammad, while the verses of Surah Al-Anfal: فَشَرِّدْ بِهِم مَّنْ خَلْفَهُمْ (make them an example, for those behind them -57) and Surah Al-Taubah: فَاقْتُلُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ حَيْثُ وَجَدتُّمُوهُمْ (kill the Mushriks wherever you find them -9:5) are its abrogator (nasikh). Therefore, according to them, it is not permissible to release the prisoners, whether against ransom or without it. (Mazhari)
But, a careful deliberation into the respective words of the verses of Su-rah Al-Anfal and Surah Muhammad leaves us with the impression that none of these two can be called the abrogator or the abrogated. In fact, they are two injunctions for two different situations.
It can be seen that the pivotal injunction of breaking the power of disbelievers (اَثخان فی العرض) has been taken up in the verse of Surah Al-Anfal, then, the option of releasing prisoners without compensation or against it (in the form of: من وفداء) has been given in Surah Muhammad too, but the main objective has already been stated in the former - that of' ithkhan fi 'l-ard'. Thus, it means that once the power facade of the disbelievers has been broken through a thorough blood-shed, Muslims have the option of releasing prisoners against ransom, or setting them free without any ransom.
The report of al-Siyar al-Kabir from Imam Abu Hanifah (رح) could also be intended to establish that both kinds of injunctions can be given keeping in view the conditions and needs Muslims are faced with. 1.
1. Some more detail about the war-prisoners will appear in the commentary of Surah Muhammad insha-allah. (Editor)
(Now enjoy what ye have won) at Badr of spoils of war, (as lawful and good, and keep your duty to Allah) and fear Allah regarding this. (Lo! Allah is Forgiving) He overlooks transgressions, (Merciful) regarding that which ensued from you at Badr concerning the ransom of prisoners.
But [now] enjoy what you took in war, lawful and good�He said:The lawful (ḥalāl) is that in which [a person] does not disobey God, and the good (ṭayyib) is that in which he does not forget God.His words: