Is it permissible to execute slaves captured in war?

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The execution of captured slaves is prohibited. This view is held by Al-Shafi'i. The evidence for this ruling is the Prophet's command: 'Catch up with Khalid and instruct him not to kill offspring (children) nor an agricultural laborer (asif).' Slaves fall under the category of those prohibited from being killed in this context. Furthermore, slaves become subject to the status of servitude ('riqq') to Muslims simply by being captured (saby), thus resembling women and children in this regard.