The Ruling on Dealing Harshly with Prisoners

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, is it permissible to be severe in taking prisoners?

Answer:
This depends on the public benefit (maslahah) that the Imam of the Muslims sees. If he sees that they should be killed, he kills the prisoners; if he sees that he should accept a ransom from them and release them, he does that. The Imam has the choice in this matter and chooses what is best for the Muslims. When the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted ransom from the prisoners of Badr, Allah rebuked him for that, saying: "It is not for a prophet to have prisoners until he has thoroughly subdued the land." Allah rebuked him for that because the Muslims at that time needed to be firmly established against the disbelievers and terror needed to be placed in their hearts. But when Islam became strong, there is no harm in accepting ransom from a disbeliever prisoner and releasing him, if there is a public benefit (maslahah) for the Muslims in doing so.