What is the responsibility regarding the ransom (fidyah) of captured Muslims if it is possible to ransom them?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Jihad

Book 54 · Issue 18 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

Ransoming captured Muslims is obligatory if possible. This is the position of 'Umar bin 'Abd al-'Aziz, Malik, and Ishaq. Evidence includes the Hadith of the Prophet, peace be upon him: 'Feed the hungry, visit the sick, and ransom the captive' ('At'imu al-ja'i', wa 'oodu al-mareed', wa fakku al-'aani'). Furthermore, the Prophet's written covenant between the Muhajirun and Ansar stipulated that they must ransom their captives with what is reasonable ('bi al-ma'roof'). The Prophet himself ransomed two Muslims for one captive from Banu 'Uqayl.

Supporting text

It is narrated that Ibn Al-Zubayr asked Al-Hasan bin 'Ali about the responsibility for the ransom, and he replied, 'It is upon the land (or authority) on which they fight.'