REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- In the light of the taking of hostages by Hamas fighter in Israel to Gaza, one should not forget that Islam has given guidance on how to treat prisoners. This was decreed by the Prophet (PBUH), based on mercy and justice.
Ibn Qatsir in his book, Bidayah wa Al Nihayah, explains that after the events of the Badar War, the captives were separated from their companions. Then the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“Treat them well.”
It was the supreme command of the Prophet Muhammad in treating prisoners. This is also reflected in the words of Allah (SWT), “And they gave the food they liked to the poor, to the orphans and to the captive.” (QS Al Insan verse 8)
As for Islamic etiquette in treating prisoners, first, one should not punish the prisoner by cutting off parts of his body or breaking his bones. The Prophet Muhammad forbade this.
Secondly, it is not smacked in the face and the like, and it is not allowed to put shackles around the neck of prisoners or stretch them on the ground for whipping. These actions endanger the physical health of prisoners.
Third, it shall not be torture by fire or the like, or strangulation or immersion in water, unless it is in the form of retaliation, as if the prisoner attacks another person by burning him with fire or the like, then it is permissible, to regain the right from him in the same manner.
Fourth, it must not starve the prisoner or cold, or anything like that, or feed him with anything harmful. Nor should it be forbidden to wear clothes.
Fifth, stripping clothes because it exposes auras and exposes inmates to physical and mental illness. Sixth, one should not prevent him from urinating, absolution, and praying.
The Prophet Muhammad ordered to guard the prisoners and meet their food and drink needs. The Prophet (PBUH) also reminded his companions to treat prisoners well.
Caliph Ali bin Abi Thalib RA, used to inspect the prison, see the prisoners in it, and check their conditions. As for Umar bin Abdul Aziz, he delivered a message to his workers saying, “Look who is in prison and take care of the sick.”
The Abbasid Caliph al-Mu'tadid made a budget of 1,500 dinars per month to meet the needs of the prisoners, ranging from basic necessities, care, and others.
The Abbasid dynasty under the leadership of Al-Muqtada imprisoned one of his ministers, Ibn Muqla, which later made the minister's condition even worse, so he sent the famous physician Thabit bin Sinan bin Thabit bin Qurra to treat him in prison and advise him to do good. The doctor fed the prisoner with his hand and was kind to him.
It is still in the time of Caliph Al-Muqtada, that Minister Ali bin Issa Al-Jarrah once wrote to hospital chiefs in Iraq at the time. In the message, he alluded to the state of the prison, which was then a large number of prisoners and whose space was limited so that it could lead to illness.
Then Minister Al Jarrah asked the hospital to appoint doctors to come to the prison, bringing medicines and other things needed by prisoners. “... you should appoint doctors to come to them under any circumstances,” Minister Al Jarrah said at the time.
The doctors then went around the prison and treated the sick people in it and eliminated their illnesses according to the prescriptions they were given. This state of affairs continued during the Al Muqtada caliphate..
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