Q. & A. 711 to 1707 with solved Papers css 1971 to date

Kindness with Prisoners of War
It goes without saying that in the civilized nations of modern era prisoners of war get dreadful and most barbaric treatment. But the Holy Prophet, for the first time in human history, set an example of kindness and favour to the prisoners of war. It was an act of unknown generosity which bewildered mankind. The Holy Prophet freed prisoners of war by accepting ransom. Those who could not pay the ransom were released without paying it. Muslims captured the first group of prisoners in the battle of Badr. They were Makkhans, the worst enemies of Muslims who tortured Muslims unabated for 13 years and who did not e\en allow them to live peacefully at Medina. After their capture they were offered horses and camels to ride while the Muslim5; accompanied them marching to Medina. Thev were offered bread while the Muslims survived on
; Abdul Hameed Stdiqui I he Life of Muhammad (PBUH). P. 185
The Battle of Badr
109
dates. When they were brought to the Holy Prophet, he decided to release them against ransom after consultation with his companions. Those who were not in a position to pay the ransom, each one was offered freedom in exchange for teaching ten children of Medina or training them in any craft. Those who could neither pay the ransom nor teach were also freed. The prisoners of war were treated like brothers by Muslims. The Holy Prophet extended the same kind and sympathetic treatment to all prisoners of war captured during various battles. This courtesy and politeness manifested by the Holy Prophet had no parallel in the history of treatment of prisoners of war. This display of human sympathy, kindness and justice was a captivating gesture of the Holy Prophet for humanity. Even his blood-thirsty and bitter enemies could not but praise the humanitarian and sublime attitude of the Holy Prophet with prisoners of war captured during many bloody battles. No Head of State had ever treated prisoners of war in this fashion prior to the days of the Holy Prophet or even after him.9
Even the hostile critic Muir could not remain but to comment on the treatment of the prisoners by the Muslims in the following words: ”In pursuance of Muhammad’s commands, the citizens of Medina and such of the refugees as possessed houses received the prisoners and treated them with much consideration. Blessings be on the men of Medina>said one of these prisoners in later days, they made us ride, while they themselves walked, they gave wheat bread to eat, when there was little of it; contenting themselves with dates.” Mr. Athar Husain writes: ”After ail these ages of progress and enlightment, with all the charters and agreements on the treatment of prisoners of war, history does not record another instance even remotely as generous and humane as the Muslims’ treatment of the prisoners taken in their very first encounter fourteen hundred years ago.”