The prisoner of Badr released without ransom

After the Battle of Badr (2 AH/624 CE), the vast majority of the prisoners brought to Medina were released either by paying ransom or by teaching reading and writing. However, the special circumstances of some prisoners caught the attention of the Prophet Muhammad, and evaluations were made accordingly. One of the prisoners of Badr —possibly Abu al-As ibn al-Rabi or another prisoner mentioned in the narrations— was released without ransom through the direct intervention of the Prophet Muhammad. The rationale behind this practice was that the individual showed sympathy towards Islam or maintained a neutral stance towards Muslims. Several fundamental principles stood out in the Prophet Muhammad's policy regarding prisoners: treating prisoners with dignity; determining an appropriate amount for those who could be ransomed; granting freedom to literate prisoners in exchange for teaching Muslim children; and releasing prisoners without ransom in special circumstances. This holistic approach clearly reveals the humanitarian aspect of Islamic law of war. [Source: TDV Islamic Encyclopedia, "Battle of Badr" article, islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/bedir-gazvesi; Ibn Hisham, as-Sirah, II, 293-302; Waqidi, al-Maghazi, I, 118-125]