Laylatul Qadr - The Night Better than 1000 months

Prophet (s.a.w.s) said: "Whoever passes Laylat al-Qadr in prayer with faith and seeking his reward from Allah will have his past sins forgiven."
(Bukhari, Muslim)


Don't let Ramadan pass without gaining Allah's forgiveness.

The angel Jibraeel (A.S.) appeared before the Prophet (S) and said, "Destruction to him who found the blessed month of Ramdhan and let it pass by without gaining forgiveness" upon that the Prophet (S) said 'Aameen'.
(Hakim, Bayhaqi)

So, worship sincerely in these last 10 days seeking out Laylatul Qadr and win the pleasure of Allah.

Note: Remember that the major sins are forgiven only by sincerely repenting from them and leaving them. Don't forget to make tawbah (repentance) from any major sin you may have committed. List of major sins: http://islamtruth4all.blogspot.com/2011/05/70-major-sins-in-islam.html


When is it?

Prophet (S) said: 'Seek out Laylatul-Qadr in the (odd nights) of the last ten days of Ramadhan."
(Bukhari)


What should be done?

Strive hard in worship in the last 10 days. Pray more, read more Qur'an, make more du'a. [Note: Avoid acts of worship that are bid'ah (not prescribed anywhere in Qur'an or Sunnah)]

The Prophet (S) used to strive hard (in worship) during the last ten days of Ramadan in a way that he did not strive at any other times.
[Muslim]

In the last nights of Ramadan, Prophet (S) secluded himself in I'tikaf and seeking Laylat al-Qadr during this time.
[Bukhari]

"The Prophet SAW used to tighten his waist-wrapper (izaar) - (meaning detached himself from his wives in order to worship, and exerted himself in seeking Lailatul-Qadr), spend the night in worship, and wake the family in the last ten nights."
(Bukhari, Muslim)


Du'a for Laylatul Qadr

'Aa'ishah r.a. said: "O Messenger of Allaah! What if I knew which night Lailatul-Qadr was, then what should I say in it?" He said: "Say: Allaahumma innaka 'affuwwun tuhibbul 'afwaa fa'fu 'annee."

اللْهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
(O Allaah you are the one who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.)
(at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)


Why is it special?

- It is the night on which the Quran was sent down.
Quran 97:1: "Verily! We have sent it (this Qur'aan) down in the Night of Decree (Lailatul-Qadr). "

- Allah described it as being better than a thousand months.
Quran 97:3: "The night of al-Qadr is better than a thousand months"
Commentary by Ibn Kathir: Worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months.

- Allah described it as being blessed.
Quran 44:3: "We sent it (this Quran) down on a blessed night"

- Many angels descend of this night because it is so blessed
Quran 97:4: "On this night, the angels and al-Ruh (angel Jibreel a.s.) descend"

- This night is described as peace, i.e., it is safe, for the Shaytan cannot do any evil and many people are saved from punishment because of worshipping Allah.
Quran 97:5: "Peace until the appearance of dawn."

- The affairs of the year are dispatched from al-Lawh al-Mahfooz to the angels who record the decrees: who will live, who will die, what provision people will be given, what will happen until the end of that year, every matter of ordainments is decreed.

Quran 44:4: "Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments"

Ibn 'Abbas said: "You may see a man furnishing his home or plowing his field, and he is one of those who are going to die," i.e., it has been decreed on Laylat al-Qadr that he is one of those who are going to die (in the coming year). And it was said that on this night, the destiny of people is shown to the angels."
All of this is already known to Allah before it is even written down, but He makes known to the angels what is to happen, and commands them to do whatever they are enjoined to do.
[Sharh Sahih Muslim li'l-Nawawi, 8/57]

Tips to help the youth lower their gaze

There are means which help a person to lower his gaze, and we ask Allaah to help you to do them:

1 – Bearing in mind the fact that Allaah is watching you, that He sees you and is with you (by His knowledge) wherever you go. It may be a secretive glance of which your neighbour is unaware, but Allaah knows of it. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Allaah knows the fraud of the eyes, and all that the hearts conceal”

[Ghaafir 40:19]

2 – Seeking the help of Allaah, beseeching Him and calling upon Him (du’aa’). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And your Lord said: Invoke Me [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism) and ask Me for anything] I will respond to your (invocation).”

[Ghaafir 40:60]

3 – You should know that every blessing you enjoy comes from Allaah, and requires that you should give thanks. Part of the gratitude for the blessing of sight means that you should protect it from looking at that which Allaah has forbidden. Is there any reward for good, other than good? [cf. al-Rahmaan 55:60] Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And whatever of blessings and good things you have, it is from Allaah”

[al-Nahl 16:53]

4 – Striving with your self and training yourself to lower your gaze and be patient in doing so, and not giving up. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning:

“As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our paths (i.e. Allaah’s religion — Islamic Monotheism)”

[al-‘Ankaboot 29:69]

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever seeks to be chaste, Allaah will make him chaste, and whoever seeks to be independent of means, Allaah will make him independent of means, and whoever strives to be patient, Allaah will make him patient…” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1400)

5 – Avoiding places where a person feels he will be exposed to the temptation of looking, if he can manage to avoid them, such as going to marketplaces or malls, and sitting in the street. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Beware of sitting in the street.” They said, “We have no alternative; that is where we sit and talk.” He said, “If you insist on sitting there, then give the street its rights.” They said, “What are the rights of the street?” He said, “Lowering the gaze and refraining from causing offence…” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2333; Muslim, 2121).

6 – You should realize that you have no choice in this matter, regardless of what the circumstances are and no matter how great the temptation or motive to do evil, and no matter what emotions and overwhelming desires stir in your heart. You must lower your gaze and refrain from looking at haraam things in all places and at all times. You cannot use excuses such as the environment being corrupt or justify your mistakes by saying that there is a lot of temptation around. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allaah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allaah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed into a plain error”

[al-Ahzaab 33:36]

7 – Doing a lot of naafil acts of worship, because doing a lot of them whilst also regularly doing obligatory acts of worship is a means of protecting one's physical faculties. According to a hadeeth qudsi, Allaah said: “… and My slave continues to draw close to Me with supererogatory (naafil) works so that I shall love him. And when I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask (something) of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it.” (al-Bukhaari, 6137

8 – Remembering that the earth on which sin is committed will bear witness. Allaah says:

“That Day it will declare its information (about all that happened over it of good or evil)”

[al-Zalzalah 99:4]

9 – Remembering the angels who are recording your deeds. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“But verily, over you (are appointed angels in charge of mankind) to watch you,

Kiraaman (Honourable) Kaatibeen —writing down (your deeds),

They know all that you do”

[al-Infitaar 82:10-12]

10 – Bearing in mind some of the texts which forbid letting the gaze wander freely, such as the verse in which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things)”

[al-Noor 24:30]

11 – Avoiding looking unnecessarily, so that you only look at what you need to look at, and you do not let your gaze wander right and left so that it falls upon something the effects and fitnah of which cannot be got rid of quickly.

12 – Marriage, which is one of the most effective remedies. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever can afford it, let him get married, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and in guarding one’s chastity. And whoever cannot afford it, let him fast, for it will be a shield for him.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1806; Muslim, 1400).

13 – Fasting – because of the hadeeth quoted above.

14 – Doing obligatory acts of worship as Allaah has commanded, such as prayer. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, As‑Salaah (the prayer) prevents from Al‑Fahshaa’ (i.e. great sins of every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse) and Al‑Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism, and every kind of evil wicked deed)”

[al-‘Ankaboot 29:45]

15 – Remembering al-hoor al-‘ayn, which will give you a motive to be patient in avoiding that which Allaah has forbidden, hoping to get al-hoor al-‘ayn. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Companions of Equal Age ”

[al-Naba’ 78:33]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “… If a woman of the people of Paradise were to look out over the people of this earth, it would light up everything in between and fill it with fragrance, and the veil of her head is better than this world and everything in it.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2643).

16– Being ambitious and focusing on nobler things.

17 – Checking on yourself from time to time and striving to make yourself lower your gaze whilst realizing that everyone makes mistakes.

18 – Thinking of the pain and regret that will result from this looking, and the effects of letting one’s gaze wander.

19 – Understanding the benefits of lowering one's gaze, as mentioned above.

20 – Bringing up this topic in meetings and gatherings, and explaining its dangers.

21 – Advising your relatives, telling them not to wear clothes that attract attention and show their attractions, such as how they dress, wearing bright colours, how they walk, speaking too softly, etc.

22 – Warding off passing thoughts and whispers from the Shaytaan before they take hold and are acted upon. Whoever lowers his gaze after the first glance will be saved from innumerable problems, but if he keeps looking he cannot be certain that seeds that will be difficult to remove will not be planted in his heart.

23– Being afraid of a bad end, and of feeling regret at the point of death.

24 – Keeping company with good people, because you are naturally affected by the characteristics of the people you mix with, and a person will follow the way of his close friend, and a friend will pull you to follow his way.

25 – Knowing that the zina of the eye is looking, and that should be sufficient to put you off.

ISLAMQA

99 Beautiful Names of Allah

AN EXPLANATION OF THE PERFECT NAMES AND ATTRIBUTES OF ALLAH

"He is Allah, the Creator, the Originator, The Fashioner, to Him belong the most beautiful names: whatever is in the heavens and on earth, do declare His praises and glory. And He is the Exalted in Might, The Wise. (Quran 59:24)

"The most beautiful names belong to God: so call on Him by them;..." (7:180)

It is not possible to perfectly translate the names and attributes of Allah from their original Arabic into English. However, here are some fairly close explanations.

^= letter ain of arabic '= letter hamza of arabic

1. Allah
   • Allah, He who has the Godhood which is the power to create the entities.

2. Ar-Rahmaan
   • The Compassionate, The Beneficient, The One who has plenty of mercy for the believers and the blasphemers in this world and especially for the believers in the hereafter.

3. Ar-Raheem
   • The Merciful, The One who has plenty of mercy for the believers.

4. Al-Malik
   • The King, The Sovereign Lord, The One with the complete Dominion, the One Whose Dominion is clear from imperfection.

5. Al-Quddoos
   • The Holy, The One who is pure from any imperfection and clear from children and adversaries.

6. As-Salaam
   • The Source of Peace, The One who is free from every imperfection.

7. Al-Mu'min
   • Guardian of Faith, The One who witnessed for Himself that no one is God but Him. And He witnessed for His believers that they are truthful in their belief that no one is God but Him.

8. Al-Muhaimin
   • The Protector, The One who witnesses the saying and deeds of His creatures.

9. Al-^Azeez
   • The Mighty, The Strong, The Defeater who is not defeated.

10. Al-Jabbaar
    • The Compeller, The One that nothing happens in His Dominion except that which He willed.

11. Al-Mutakabbir
    • The Majestic, The One who is clear from the attributes of the creatures and from resembling them.

12. Al-Khaaliq
    • The Creator, The One who brings everything from non-existence to existence.

13. Al-Bari'
    • The Evolver, The Maker, The Creator who has the Power to turn the entities.

14. Al-Musawwir
    • The Fashioner, The One who forms His creatures in different pictures.

15. Al-Ghaffaar
    • The Great Forgiver, The Forgiver, The One who forgives the sins of His slaves time and time again.

16. Al-Qahhaar
    • The Subduer, The Dominant, The One who has the perfect Power and is not unable over anything.

17. Al-Wahhaab
    • The Bestower, The One who is Generous in giving plenty without any return. He is everything that benefits whether Halal or Haram.

18. Al-Razzaaq
    • The Sustainer, The Provider.

19. Al-Fattaah
    • The Opener, The Reliever, The Judge, The One who opens for His slaves the closed worldy and religious matters.

20. Al-^Aleem
    • The All-knowing, The Knowledgeable; The One nothing is absent from His knowledge.

21. Al-Qaabid
    • The Constricter, The Retainer, The Withholder, The One who constricts the sustenance by His wisdomand expands and widens it with His Generosity and Mercy.

22. Al-Baasit
    • The Expander, The Englarger, The One who constricts the sustenance by His wisdomand expands and widens it with His Generosity and Mercy.

23. Al-Khaafid
    • The Abaser, The One who lowers whoever He willed by His Destruction and raises whoever He willed by His Endowment.

24. Ar-Raafi^
    • The Exalter, The Elevator, The One who lowers whoever He willed by His Destruction and raises whoever He willed by His Endowment.

25. Al-Mu^iz
    • The Honorer, He gives esteem to whoever He willed, hence there is no one to degrade Him; And He degrades whoever He willed, hence there is no one to give Him esteem.

26. Al-Muthil
    • The Dishonorer, The Humiliator, He gives esteem to whoever He willed, hence there is no one to degrade Him; And He degrades whoever He willed, hence there is no one to give Him esteem.

27. As-Samee^
    • The All-Hearing, The Hearer, The One who Hears all things that are heard by His Eternal Hearing without an ear, instrument or organ.

28. Al-Baseer
    • The All-Seeing, The One who Sees all things that are seen by His Eternal Seeing without a pupil or any other instrument.

29. Al-Hakam
    • The Judge, He is the Ruler and His judgment is His Word.

30. Al-^Adl
    • The Just, The One who is entitled to do what He does.

31. Al-Lateef
    • The Subtle One, The Gracious, The One who is kind to His slaves and endows upon them.

32. Al-Khabeer
    • The Aware, The One who knows the truth of things.

33. Al-Haleem
    • The Forebearing, The Clement, The One who delays the punishment for those who deserve it and then He might forgive them.

34. Al-^Azeem
    • The Great One, The Mighty, The One deserving the attributes of Exaltment, Glory, Extolement,and Purity from all imperfection.

35. Al-Ghafoor
    • The All-Forgiving, The Forgiving, The One who forgives a lot.

36. Ash-Shakoor
    • The Grateful, The Appreciative, The One who gives a lot of reward for a little obedience.

37. Al-^Aliyy
    • The Most High, The Sublime, The One who is clear from the attributes of the creatures.

38. Al-Kabeer
    • The Most Great, The Great, The One who is greater than everything in status.

39. Al-Hafeez
    • The Preserver, The Protector, The One who protects whatever and whoever He willed to protect.

40. Al-Muqeet
    • The Maintainer, The Guardian, The Feeder, The Sustainer, The One who has the Power.

41. Al-Haseeb
    • The Reckoner, The One who gives the satisfaction.

42. Aj-Jaleel
    • The Sublime One, The Beneficent, The One who is attributed with greatness of Power and Glory of status.

43. Al-Kareem
    • The Generous One, The Bountiful, The Gracious, The One who is attributed with greatness of Power and Glory of status.

44. Ar-Raqeeb
    • The Watcher, The Watchful, The One that nothing is absent from Him. Hence it's meaning is related to the attribute of Knowledge.

45. Al-Mujeeb
    • The Responsive, The Hearkener, The One who answers the one in need if he asks Him and rescues the yearner if he calls upon Him.

46. Al-Wasi^
    • The Vast, The All-Embracing, The Knowledgeable.

47. Al-Hakeem
    • The Wise, The Judge of Judges, The One who is correct in His doings.

48. Al-Wadood
    • The Loving, The One who loves His believing slaves and His believing slaves love Him. His love to His slaves is His Will to be merciful to them and praise them:Hence it's meaning is related to the attributes of the Will and Kalam (His attribute with which He orders and forbids and spoke to Muhammad and Musa -peace be upon them- . It is not a sound nor a language nor a letter.).

49. Al-Majeed
    • The Most Glorious One, The Glorious, The One who is with perfect Power, High Status, Compassion, Generosity and Kindness.

50. Al-Ba^ith
    • The Reserrector, The Raiser (from death), The One who resurrects His slaves after death for reward and/or punishment.

51. Ash-Shaheed
    • The Witness, The One who nothing is absent from Him.

52. Al-Haqq
    • The Truth, The True, The One who truly exists.

53. Al-Wakeel
    • The Trustee, The One who gives the satisfaction and is relied upon.

54. Al-Qawiyy
    • The Most Strong, The Strong, The One with the complete Power.

55. Al-Mateen
    • The Firm One, The One with extreme Power which is un-interrupted and He does not get tired.

56. Al-Waliyy
    • The Protecting Friend, The Supporter.

57. Al-Hameed
    • The Praiseworthy, The praised One who deserves to be praised.

58. Al-Muhsee
    • The Counter, The Reckoner, The One who the count of things are known to him.

59. Al-Mubdi'
    • The Originator, The One who started the human being. That is, He created him.

60. Al-Mu^eed
    • The Reproducer, The One who brings back the creatures after death.

61. Al-Muhyi
    • The Restorer, The Giver of Life, The One who took out a living human from semen that does not have a soul. He gives life by giving the souls back to the worn out bodies on the resurrection day and He makes the hearts alive by the light of knowledge.

62. Al-Mumeet
    • The Creator of Death, The Destroyer, The One who renders the living dead.

63. Al-Hayy
    • The Alive, The One attributed with a life that is unlike our life and is not that of a combination of soul, flesh or blood.

64. Al-Qayyoom
    • The Self-Subsisting, The One who remains and does not end.

65. Al-Waajid
    • The Perceiver, The Finder, The Rich who is never poor. Al-Wajd is Richness.

66. Al-Waahid
    • The Unique, The One, The One without a partner.

67. Al-Ahad
    • The One.

68. As-Samad
    • The Eternal, The Independent, The Master who is relied upon in matters and reverted to in ones needs.

69. Al-Qaadir
    • The Able, The Capable, The One attributed with Power.

70. Al-Muqtadir
    • The Powerful, The Dominant, The One with the perfect Power that nothing is withheld from Him.

71. Al-Muqaddim
    • The Expediter, The Promoter, The One who puts things in their right places. He makes ahead what He wills and delays what He wills.

72. Al-Mu'akh-khir
    • The Delayer, the Retarder, The One who puts things in their right places. He makes ahead what He wills and delays what He wills.

73. Al-'Awwal
    • The First, The One whose Existence is without a beginning.

74. Al-'Akhir
    • The Last, The One whose Existence is without an end.

75. Az-Zaahir
    • The Manifest, The One that nothing is above Him and nothing is underneath Him, hence He exists without a place. He, The Exalted, His Existence is obvious by proofs and He is clear from the delusions of attributes of bodies.

76. Al-Baatin
    • The Hidden, The One that nothing is above Him and nothing is underneath Him, hence He exists without a place. He, The Exalted, His Existence is obvious by proofs and He is clear from the delusions of attributes of bodies.

77. Al-Walee
    • The Governor, The One who owns things and manages them.

78. Al-Muta^ali
    • The Most Exalted, The High Exalted, The One who is clear from the attributes of the creation.

79. Al-Barr
    • The Source of All Goodness, The Righteous, The One who is kind to His creatures, who covered them with His sustenance and specified whoever He willed among them by His support, protection, and special mercy.

80. At-Tawwaab
    • The Acceptor of Repentance, The Relenting, The One who grants repentance to whoever He willed among His creatures and accepts his repentance.

81. Al-Muntaqim
    • The Avenger, The One who victoriously prevails over His enemies and punishes them for their sins. It may mean the One who destroys them.

82. Al-^Afuww
    • The Pardoner, The Forgiver, The One with wide forgiveness.

83. Ar-Ra'uf
    • The Compassionate, The One with extreme Mercy. The Mercy of Allah is His will to endow upon whoever He willed among His creatures.

84. Malik Al-Mulk
    • The Eternal Owner of Sovereignty, The One who controls the Dominion and gives dominion to whoever He willed.

85. Thul-Jalali wal-Ikram
    • The Lord of Majesty and Bounty, The One who deserves to be Exalted and not denied.

86. Al-Muqsit
    • The Equitable, The One who is Just in His judgment.

87. Aj-Jaami^
    • The Gatherer, The One who gathers the creatures on a day that there is no doubt about, that is the Day of Judgment.

88. Al-Ghaniyy
    • The Self-Sufficient, The One who does not need the creation.

89. Al-Mughni
    • The Enricher, The One who satisfies the necessities of the creatures.

90. Al-Maani^
    • The Preventer, The Withholder.

91. Ad-Daarr
    • The Distresser, The One who makes harm reach to whoever He willed and benefit to whoever He willed.

92. An-Nafi^
    • The Propitious, The One who makes harm reach to whoever He willed and benefit to whoever He willed.

93. An-Noor
    • The Light, The One who guides.

94. Al-Haadi
    • The Guide, The One whom with His Guidance His belivers were guided, and with His Guidance the living beings have been guided to what is beneficial for them and protected from what is harmful to them.

95. Al-Badi^
    • The Incomparable, The One who created the creation and formed it without any preceding example.

96. Al-Baaqi
    • The Everlasting, The One that the state of non-existence is impossible for Him.

97. Al-Waarith
    • The Supreme Inheritor, The Heir, The One whose Existence remains.

98. Ar-Rasheed
    • The Guide to the Right Path, The One who guides.

99. As-Saboor
    • The Patient, The One who does not quickly punish the sinners.

      
      

      "...There is nothing whatever like unto Him, and He is the One that hears and sees (all things). Qur'an [42:11]
      (Arabic transliteration: Laysa Kamithlihi Shayun Wa Huwa As-Sami' ul-Basir)

. NOTE:
Another list of the names of Allah, includes Al-Mu'tiy - The Bestower, The Giver and does not have Al-Ahad - The One. Another list did not have Al-Razzaaq -The Sustainer, The Provider but did have Al-Maajid The Noble, The One who is Majid.

Islam is against mistreatment of prisoners of war.

How are prisoners of war treated in Islam?

Praise be to Allaah.

Islam is the religion of mercy and justice; it commands us to call others to the religion of Allaah in a kind and good manner, and to encourage people to enter this great religion. If some people persist in rejecting the religion of Allaah and stand in the way of ruling by that which Allaah has revealed on earth, or they fight against the call to Allaah, then we give them the choice of three things:

Either they become Muslim; or if they refuse they pay the jizyah (whereby they pay a specified amount to the Muslims in return for being allowed to remain their land, and the Muslims undertake to protect them); or, if they refuse that, there is nothing left but the way which they themselves have chosen, which is fighting and dealing violently with those who have persecuted the Muslims and put obstacles in the path of the Islamic da’wah. In this way the Muslims will gain the upper hand and the enemies will be humiliated; then when we have killed and wounded many of them and gained the upper hand over them, we may take prisoners and bind a bond firmly on them [cf. Muhammad 47:4], because in that case it is more in tune with the idea of mercy by choice (not because we are afraid of them); at that point war should not continue any longer than is necessary. War in Islam should not be waged for the sole purpose of shedding blood or seeking vengeance. If the Muslims capture them and take them to a place that has been prepared for them, they should not harm them or torture them with beatings, depriving them of food and water, leaving them out in the sun or the cold, burning them with fire, or putting covers over their mouths, ears and eyes and putting them in cages like animals. Rather they should treat them with kindness and mercy, feed them well and encourage them to enter Islam.

Thumaamah ibn Athaal – the leader of Bani Haneefah – was brought (to Madeenah) as a prisoner and tied to one of the pillars of the mosque. The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to him and said, “What do you think, O Thumaamah?” He said, “What I think, O Muhammad, is good. If you kill me, you will kill one with blood on his hands – i.e., I will deserve to be killed because I have killed Muslims – and if you release me you will release one who will be grateful. If you want money, then ask, and I will give you whatever you want.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) left him for three days, and each day he would come and ask him similar questions, and Thumaamah would give similar answers. After the third day, he commanded that he should be released. Thumaamah went to a stand of date-palms near the mosque where he bathed (did ghusl), then he came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and said, “I bear witness that there is no god except Allaah and I bear witness that Muhammad is the slave of Allaah and His Messenger.” Then he said: “O Messenger of Allaah, by Allaah there was no one on earth whose face was more hateful to me than yours, but now your face is the most beloved of all faces to me. By Allaah, there was no religion that was more hateful to me than your religion, but now your religion has become the most beloved of all religions to me. By Allaah, there was no land more hateful to me than your land, but now your land has become the most beloved to me. Your cavalry captured me when I was on my way to perform ‘Umrah, so what do you think I should do?”

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) congratulated him, and told him to go for ‘Umrah. When he came to Makkah, someone asked him, “Have you changed your religion?” He said, “No, but I have submitted with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and by Allaah you will not get a grain of wheat from al-Yamaamah unless the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) gives permission.”

Think about this story, may Allaah bless you, and how the kind treatment of Thumaamah led to his embracing Islam, which could not have happened were it not primarily by the grace of Allaah, and also the kind treatment which Thumaamah received.

In the Qur’aan, Allaah says of the righteous (interpretation of the meaning):

“And they give food, in spite of their love for it (or for the love of Him), to the Miskeen (the poor), the orphan, and the captive,

(Saying): ‘We feed you seeking Allaah’s Countenance only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you’”

[al-Insaan 76:8-9]

Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “Ibn ‘Abbaas said: in those days their prisoners were mushrikeen; on the day of Badr the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) commanded them to be kind to their prisoners, so they used to put them before themselves when it came to food… Mujaahid said, this refers to the one who is detained, i.e., they would give food to these prisoners even though they themselves desired it and loved it.”

The ruling on tying up prisoners:

It is well known that if prisoners are able to escape they will not hesitate to do so, because they may be afraid of dying and they do not know what awaits them. Hence the Muslims were commanded to tie up their prisoners and to tie their hands to their necks, lest they run away. This is something that still happens and is well known to all people.

The wisdom behind permitting the taking of prisoners is so as to weaken the enemy and ward off his evil by keeping him away from the battlefield so that he cannot be effective or play any role; it also creates a means of freeing Muslim prisoners by trading the prisoners whom we are holding.

Detaining prisoners

Prisoners should be detained until it is decided what is the best move. The ruler of the Muslims should detain prisoners until he decides what is in the Muslims’ best interests. He may ransom them for money, or exchange them for Muslim prisoners, or release them for nothing in return, or distribute them among the Muslims as slaves, or kill the men, but not the women and children, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade killing the latter. The purpose behind detaining prisoners is so that the Muslims may be protected from their evil. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to enjoin the Muslims to treat prisoners well, whereas the Romans and those who came before them the Assyrians and Pharaohs, all used to put out their prisoners’ eyes with hot irons, and flay them alive, feeding their skins to dogs, such that the prisoners preferred death to life.

Ahkaam al-Sijn wa’l-Sujana’ wa Mu’aamalat al-Sujana’ fi’l-Islam by Hasan Abi’l-Ghuddah, 256