The companions returned to Medina on foot with the captives after Bedr

The Battle of Badr is a critical confrontation that took place in H. 2/M. 624 between the Muslims and the Quraysh army, changing the course of Islamic history. The Muslims returned from this battle both victorious and with many captives. Among the captives were prominent members of the Quraysh. According to reports, during the return journey, the Prophet Muhammad commanded that the captives be treated well so that the companions would not mistreat them; he and some companions walked on foot by giving their mounts to the captives. In this context, it is also reported that the Prophet's freedman, Shukran, was appointed as a sergeant for the captives. The Prophet also directed the companions regarding the captives: "Treat the captives well." As a result of this command, many of the Ansar shared their own food with the captives, while they themselves contented themselves with dates. This attitude is a concrete reflection of the humane standards that Islam brought to the treatment of captives. The treatment that the Prophet showed to the captives upon returning from Badr is an important example that completely transcends the Arab understanding of warfare of the time and is considered one of the first applications of captive rights in human history. [Source: TDV Islamic Encyclopedia, "Battle of Badr" article, islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/bedir-gazvesi; Ibn Hisham, es-Sîre, II, 299; Waqidi, el-Megâzî, I, 122]