Those who did not kill a captive and disliked doing so

Ata used to dislike the killing of captives.

Ata used to say: Do not kill a captive.

Al-Hasan used to dislike the killing of a captive.

It is narrated from Abu Ja'far that on the day of Siffin, whenever a captive was brought to Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), he would confiscate his weapons and his mount, take a pledge from him not to fight again, and set him free.

It is narrated from Abu Fakhitah: My neighbour told me: On the day of Siffin I brought a captive to Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I will not kill you while you are bound. I fear Allah, the Lord of the worlds."

It is narrated from al-Hasan that a captive was brought to al-Hajjaj. Al-Hajjaj said to Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both): "Stand up and kill him." Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: "We have not been commanded to do this. Allah Almighty says: 'Until, when you have thoroughly subdued them, then bind them firmly; then either a favour afterwards or a ransom.' [Muhammad: 4]"

It is narrated from al-Hasan that Ibn Amir, while he was in Faris or Istakhr, sent a captive to Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) so that he might kill him. Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: "As for him, since he is a bound captive, he shall not be killed."

Waki' said: It means tied up.

It is narrated from Sufyan that captives were brought to Sayyiduna Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), and he set them all free.

Ibrahim said: The Imam has full choice concerning captives: if he wishes he may release them for a ransom, or release them as a favour, or else kill them.

Ja'far (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates from his father that Sayyiduna Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) ordered the crier to announce on the day of Basra: No captive shall be killed.