The Battle of Badr (7)

The captives

After reaching Madinah, the Prophet held consultations regarding the prisoners of war. Abu Bakr said that they should let the Quraysh buy their freedom, while Umar was in favour of executing all of them. The Prophet decided to set them free in return for ransom, which ranged from one thousand to four thousand dinars. Those who could not pay and were literate were required to teach ten Muslim children each by way of ransoms. Those unable to do either were set free anyway.

A poignant sidelight of this battle was the capture and subsequent ransom of Abdul Aas, the Prophet’s son-in-law.

Zaynab , the Prophet’s daughter, who was the wife of Abdul Aas, was still in Makkah and she sent a necklace to ransom her husband. The Prophet recognised the necklace. He himself had given this to his daughter as a wedding gift. His eyes filled with tears, and he sought the consent of his Companions to fee Abdul Aas without ransom. The Companions agreed, and Abdul Aas was freed on the condition that he would let Zaynab migrate to Madinah. After he returned to Makkah, Zaynab was allowed to join her father in Madinah.

Ruqayyah dies and Uthman marries Umm Kulthoom

When the Prophet left for the battle of Badr, his daughter, Ruqayyah was ill. The Prophet asked Uthman , her husband, to stay in Madinah and tend to his sick wife. He would get the same reward, the Prophet promised him, and an equal share of the booty as those who fought at Badr. Usama bin Zayd was asked to stay in Madinah for the same reason. Unfortunately, Ruqayyah died before the Prophet returned. Usama bin Zayd said, “The news of the victory came to us after we had already buried Ruqayyah.”

Later, the Prophet gave his daughter, Umm Kulthoom , in marriage to the bereaved Uthman . Because he was married to two of the Prophet’s daughters in succession, Uthman came to be called “Dhul Noorayn” (the one who has two lights). Umm Kulthoom , died while married to Uthman in the month of Sha’ban 9 A.H., and was buried next to the Prophet’s Mosque in the cemetery known as Baqi.