Sahih al-Bukhari Hadith 360 – Volume 4, Book 53

English

Volume 4, Book 53, Number 360:
Narrated Marwan bin Al-Hakim and Miswar bin Makhrama:
When the Hawazin delegation came to Allah's Apostle after they had embraced Islam and reques –
ted him to return their properties and war prisoners to them, Allah's Apostle said, "To me the best
talk is the truest, so you may choose either of two things; the war prisoners or the wealth, for I have
delayed their distribution." Allah's Apostle had waited for them for over ten days when he returned
from Ta'if. So, when those people came to know that Allah's Apostle was not going to return to them
except one of the two things the said, "We choose our war Prisoners 'Allah's Apostle stood up
amongst the Muslims, and after glorifying Allah as He deserved, he said, "Now then, these brothers of
yours have come to us with repentance, and I see it logical that I should return their captives to
them, so whoever of you likes to do that as a favor then he can do it, and whoever amongst you likes
to stick to his share, let him give up his prisoners and we will compensate him from the very first Fai'
(i.e. war booty received without fight) which Allah will give us." On that, all the people said. 'O Al –
lah's Apostles We have agreed willingly to do so (return the captives)" Then Allah's Apostle said to
them "I do not know who amongst you has agreed to this and who has not. You should return and let
your leaders inform me of your agreement." The people returned and their leaders spoke to them,
and then came to Allah's Apostle and said, "All the people have agreed willingly to do so and have
given the permission to return the war prisoners (without Compensation)" (Az-Zuhri, the sub-nar –
rator states) This is what has been related to us about the captives of Hawazin.