Islamic teachings about prisoners of war: A contemporary applied study.

Abstract

It is above-board that Islam has complete guidance for its followers in each and every field of life. It demands an individual to spend his best effort to do the lawful purpose. Jihad or war is one of among these commandments. It has its own principles, conditions and objectives. When the warriors has been arrested at the end of war, they are called prisoners of war. The present paper explores the rights of the prisoners in Islamic law.it discusses the differences of opinions among the early jurists regarding the prisoners of wars. The paper finds that the Holy Quran mentions two ways to terminate captivity, which is freedom gratis (Mann) and ransom (fida).On the other hand two other options: slaying and slaving are derived from the practice of the Holy prophet peace be upon him. The slaying or execution had been very rare practice in Islamic history, and many jurists have generalized exceptional cases the execution and enslavement of prisoners of wars. This paper debates all these treatments fully emphasized with arguments keeping in mind the differences among early well known jurists.