What is the ruling on presenting the head of a defeated enemy leader to the Caliph?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Jihad
Primary text
Presenting the head of an enemy leader, such as the head of the Batriq brought to Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq, is to be disavowed. Abu Bakr rejected this practice, stating that imitating the customs of the Persians and Romans by sending heads is not to be done; correspondence and news suffice. Al-Zuhri stated that no head was ever brought to the Prophet, peace be upon him, and Abu Bakr rejected the one brought to him. The first to whom heads were brought was Abdullah ibn Al-Zubayr.
Supporting text
The practice of sending heads was adopted later, as exemplified when Abdullah ibn Amir brought the head of the Batriq to Abu Bakr, to which Abu Bakr objected, stating that imitation of the Persians and Romans in this matter was prohibited.