Rafed English
site.site_name : Rafed English

When the prisoners of the battle of Badr 133 were brought forth, the Messenger of God divided them amongst his companions and said: 'Treat the prisoners well.'

Abu Aziz ibn Omeir ibn Hashim the brother of Mas'ab ibn Omeir was amongst the prisoners. He had been carrying one of the banners of the Quraysh. After he was freed he said: 'I was a captive in the hands of some of the Ansar 134 when they brought me from Badr. When they prepared their food they used to favour me with the bread and they would eat dates. Bread was scarce whereas dates were the staple. This is because of what the Messenger of God had said about our treatment. If one of the Ansar came across even a crust of bread he would pass it to me but I would feel shame and return it to him. Then he would return it to me and would not touch it. Also they had very few camels and they would seat me upon a camel and they themselves would walk beside it.

When the night descended upon them and some of the companions were given the task of securing the bonds of the prisoners, the bonds of al-Abbas 135 were made tight. The Prophet heard him complaining and because of this he could not sleep. When the Ansar heard about this they set al-'Abbas free for they had understood that the Prophet would be satisfied with this and they asked him to let them waive his ransom.

The Messenger of God took seventy prisoners on the day of Badr and ransomed them according to their wealth. Generally the people of Mecca were literate and the people of Medina were not. Whoever did not have any ransom money, sent him ten youths from Medina so that he could teach them [to read and write instead].

The Messenger of God set free al-Muttalib ibn Hantab and Saifi ibn Abi Rafa'ah and Abu 'Izzah al-Jamahi. He took their oaths that they would not aid anyone against him. Abu 'Izzah was a needy person who had daughters. He said: 'O Messenger of God, you know that I do not possess any wealth and that I am in need and I have children so set me free.' This the Messenger of God did after taking his oath not to aid anyone against him.

Notes:

133. This is the first main battle that took place between the Muslims and the polytheists of Mecca.

134. The Ansar, literally meaning 'the supporters', are those people of Medina who supported the Prophet in his cause and received him and the Muhajirun (those who migrated) from Mecca.

135. He is the uncle of the prophet.

Adopted from the book : "The Prophet Muhammad; a Mercy to the World" by : "Ayatullah Muhammad Sadiq al-Shirazi"