The role model for all Muslims, Muhammad, made clear that he did not like having to retain prisoners of war. Sunan Abu Dawud reports: "Narrated Atiyyah al-Qurazi: I was among the [male] captives of Banu Qurayzah. They (the Companions) examined us, and those who had begun to grow pubic hair were killed, and those who had not were not killed. I was among those who had not grown hair." Several hundred of the Banu Qurazyah captives were beheaded by Muhammad and his men.
Muhammad's attitude toward retaining prisoners of war can be found in the Quran: "It is not for any prophet to have captives until he hath made slaughter in the land." (Quran 8:67)
Consequently, when the Islamic State murders Iraqi prisoners of war, or beheads Kurdish prisoners of war, or burns a Jordanian combat pilot to death, we cannot be completely surprised.
Our Debate Question is: "Is it moral or immoral to murder prisoners of war?"
Muhammad's attitude toward retaining prisoners of war can be found in the Quran: "It is not for any prophet to have captives until he hath made slaughter in the land." (Quran 8:67)
Consequently, when the Islamic State murders Iraqi prisoners of war, or beheads Kurdish prisoners of war, or burns a Jordanian combat pilot to death, we cannot be completely surprised.
Our Debate Question is: "Is it moral or immoral to murder prisoners of war?"
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