The Holy Quran 8:67 — Surah Al-Anfal

Arabic text

مَا كَانَ لِنَبِىٍّ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُۥٓ أَسْرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ يُثْخِنَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ۚ تُرِيدُونَ عَرَضَ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱللَّهُ يُرِيدُ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةَ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

Translation

(When the Muslims freed the captives of Badr for ransom, Allaah revealed the verse saying,) It is not for a Nabi (not becoming of a Nabi) that he takes prisoners until he has thoroughly beaten (the enemy) in the land. (However, since this was not yet achieved during the early days of Islaam after the Battle of Badr, it was not appropriate for the Muslims to release the enemy prisoners.) You desire the things (wealth) of this world (for yourselves by accepting the ransom) while Allaah desires the Aakhirah (for you). Allaah is Mighty, the Wise (what He desires for you is best).

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

The Muslims' error in the matter of the captives of Badr: from the Battle of Badr seventy disbelievers came into the hands of the Muslims as captives. Almighty Allah put two options concerning them before the Muslims: to execute them, or to release them on ransom, on condition that the following year the same number of your men would be killed.

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