The good deeds of those who denied and strove to keep others from Islam will be worthless in the Akhirah as they neither neither believed in it nor acted keeping it in view. However, those who believed, acted accordingly, and accepted whole heartedly what was revealed to Prophet Muhammad^-SW, a pre-requisite to faith, will be forgiven any mistakes committed by virtue of being human or prior to acceptance of Islam. They will be reformed both inwardly and outwardly and given an enviable life adorned with magnificent spiritual states. This is because the infidels had opted for the path of denial leading to chastisement while the believers chose to conform to the revealed Truth thereby qualifying for His^-SWT rewards.

 

These are similitude that Allaah^-SWT expounds for the guidance of mankind. The infidels and the believers are two separate nations treading different paths. The former try to hinder the path of Islam while the latter propagate it. If such a situation leads to confrontation, the Muslims must fight with courage and resolution and eliminate the infidels ruthlessly. Once defeated, they must be taken prisoners. Remember that the real aim is not to kill but to arrest their efforts to promote infidelity and impede Islam. It is the prerogative of the believers to either release the prisoners as a gesture of goodwill or to take some ransom. And if they lay down their arms to accept Islam or undertake to pay capitation tax, they shall not be slain.

 

The Authority of an Islamic Leader over Prisoners of War

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In light of Surah Anfāl pertaining to the captives at Badar and these Ayat, the Commentators conclude that a Muslim ruler, keeping in view the expediencies of time and in the best interests of the believers may (1) kill the captives or (2) take them as slaves or (3) free them for a ransom or (4) free them as a favour. This decision will be taken in the light of prevailing circumstances. From the Holy Prophet^-SW‘s time and during the period of the first four Caliphs^-RAU, decisions were taken according to the exigencies of circumstances in the light of these four options.

 

Islam and Slavery

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Whenever Islam mentions the word slave, it takes the Western thought to those hapless people who were fettered, crammed up like animals in ships from Africa and sold in America by the British. But in Islam slavery only means denial of freedom and is compensated by so many rights that it takes the form of fraternity. Islam promised countless Divine rewards of freeing slaves, and the believers freed them indeed in a very large number. The doors of education and opportunity were kept open for them whereby many famous righteous scholars and leaders emerged from them; some even rose to be rulers. So the concept of slavery in Islam should, by no means, be compared to the Western style of slavery. In Islam, it is the best possible condition determined by the exigencies of time. On the other hand, had Allaah^-SWT so desired He^-SWT would have avenged the infidels Himself^-SWT , leaving no other option open except execution and chastisement. But He^-SWT replaced the concept of war with Jihad, a great Mercy from Him^-SWT .

 

War and Jihad

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Before the advent of the Holy Prophet^-SW, wars used to frequently ravage the infidels, as a living testimony of Allah^-SWT‘s punishment. Jihad does not aim at killing but eradicating oppression. It is indeed a test for the believer, to see who sacrifices his life willingly in the Cause of Allah^-SWT, and at the same time a trial for the non believer who is provided an opportunity to give up oppression and accept Islam. The devotion of those falling martyrs in Allah^-SWT‘s Cause is duly rewarded. Rather, He^-SWT will augment it with entry into Jannah. O' Believers! If you support Allah^-SWT‘s Din, He^-SWT will succour you in turn and keep you firm.

 

The Pre-Requisite to Allah^-SWT ’s Succour

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The rule for Allah^-SWT's succour against the infidels that we always pray for is laid down here, that is; if you help Him^-SWT , He^-SWT will succour you in return. Helping Allah means service to Islam with utmost devotion both practically as well as by preaching. Allaah^-SWT will in return bless us with resolution whereby the infidels will never be able to subjugate us politically or economically. Ironically, we have drifted far away from Islam and raise our hands for His^-SWT help while conforming to the infidels' ways! May Allah^-SWT change this distressing situation!

 

As for the infidels, they met an evil end because of their infidelity and all their struggle went in vain. They were humiliated here and will be punished in the Hereafter because of their prejudices against Allah^-SWT's^-Path. Their arrogance also nullified whatever good they had done. The consequences of disbelief are very obvious and they can witness the devastation their predecessors met from their relics. Allaah^-SWT is the Patron and Protector of the believers, a blessing they have deprived themselves of by refusing to believe. And there is no one else like Him^-SWT who can be of any avail to them. The final verdict shall, of course, be His^-SWT .