Surah Al Anfal Tafseer

Allah says;

مَا كَانَ لِنَبِيٍّ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُ أَسْرَى حَتَّى يُثْخِنَ فِي الَارْضِ تُرِيدُونَ عَرَضَ الدُّنْيَا وَاللّهُ يُرِيدُ الاخِرَةَ وَاللّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

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.

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 again asked,

يَاأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ اللهَ قَدْ أَمْكَنَكُمْ مِنْهُمْ وَإِنَّمَا هُمْ إِخْوَانُكُمْ بِالاْاَمْس

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 vanished. He pardoned them and accepted ransom for their release. Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, revealed this verse,

لَّوْلَا كِتَابٌ مِّنَ اللّهِ سَبَقَ لَمَسَّكُمْ فِيمَا أَخَذْتُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ