this  by saying: “They are after all our relatives, and this money would give us strength against the  disbelievers, moreover, Allâh could guide them to Islam.” ‘Umar advised killing them, saying, “They  are  the leaders of Kufr (disbelief).” The Prophet (Peace be upon him) preferred Abu Bakr’s suggestion to  that of ‘Umar’s. The following day, ‘Umar called on the Prophet (Peace be upon him) and Abu Bakr to  see them weeping. He shextreme astonishment and inquired about the situation so that he might  weep  if it was worth weeping for, or else he would feign weeping.
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said that a Qur’ânic verse had been revealed rebuking them for  taking ransom from the captives rather than slaying them:
“It is not for a Prophet that he should have prisoners of war (and free them with ransom) until he  had made a great slaughter (among his enemies) in the land. You desire the good of this world
(i.e. the money of ransom for freeing the captives), but Allâh desires (for you) the Hereafter. And
Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise. Were it not a previous ordainment from Allâh, a severe torment  would have touched you for what you took.” 8:67,68
The previous Divine ordainment went as follows,
“Thereafter (is the time)  either for generosity (i.e. free them without ransom) or ransom.” 47:4
Which included an area providing permission to take ransom, that is why no penalty was imposed.
They  were rebuked only for taking prisoners before subduing all the land of disbelief. Apart from this, the  polytheists taken to Madinah were not only prisoners of war but rather archcriminals of war whom  modern war penal law brings to justice to receive their due sentence of death or prison for life.
The ransom for the prisoners ranged between 4000 and 1000 Dirhams in accordance with the  captive’s  financial situation. Another form of ransom assumed an educational dimension; most of the Makkans,  unlike the Madinese, were literate and so each prisoner who could not afford the ransom was  entrusted  with ten children to teach them the art of writing and reading. Once the child had been proficient  enough, the instructor would be set free. Another clan of prisoners were released unransomed on  grounds of being hard up. Zainab, the daughter of the Prophet (Peace be upon him), paid the ransom  of  her husband Abul-‘As with a necklace. The Muslims released her prisoner and returned the necklace in  deference to the Prophet (Peace be upon him) but on condition that Abul-‘As allow Zainab to migrate  to
Madinah, which he actually did.
In captivity, there was also an eloquent orator called Suhail bin ‘Amr. ‘Umar suggested that they pull  out his front teeth to disable him from speaking, but the Prophet (Peace be upon him) turned down his  suggestion for fear Quraish should retaliate in the same manner on one hand, and on the other for  fear  of Allâh’s wrath on the Day of Resurrection.
Sa‘d bin An-Nu‘man, a lesser pilgrim detained in Makkah, was released in return for setting Abu
Sufyan’s son, a captive, free.
THE BATTLE OF BADR IN ITS QUR'ANIC CONTEXT:
The Chapter of Al-Anfal (spoils of war) was revealed on the occasion of the battle of Badr, Ramadan
17th 2 A.H. It constituted a unique Divine commentary on this battle.
Allâh, the All-High, in the context of this Chapter draws on major issues relating to the whole process  of
Islamization. Allâh, here draws the attention of the Muslims to the still lingering moral shortcomings in  their character. He wants them to build an integrated, purified society. He speaks about the invisible  assistance he sent down to His obedient servants to enable them to accomplish their noble objectives.
He wants the Muslims to rid themselves of any trait of haughtiness or arrogance that might sneak in.
He wants them to turn to Him for help, obey Him and His Messenger (Peace be upon him).
After that He delineated the noble objectives for which the Messenger (Peace be upon him) launched  that bloody battle, and directed them to the merits and qualities that brought about the great  victory.The polytheists, hypocrites, the Jews and prisoners of war were also mentioned, being  admonished to surrender to the Truth and adhere to it only. The question of the spoils of war was  resolved and the principles and basics relevant to this issue were clearly defined.
The laws and rules pertinent to war and peace were legalized and codified, especially at this advanced