Tirmidhi

1؎: The story (in brief) is as follows: Abdullah ibn Mas'ud radi Allahu anhu says: Regarding the captives of Badr, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam consulted his companions. Abu Bakr radi Allahu anhu was of the opinion that they should be treated with gentleness and released after taking ransom from them. Umar radi Allahu anhu said: These are the people who denied you; it is not appropriate to forgive them. Rather, you should command that each of us execute his close associate. Some others were of the opinion that all of them should be thrown into heaps of dry wood and burned. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam listened to everyone and remained silent, then went inside. After coming out, he said: “Allah makes some hearts as soft as milk, while others He makes as hard as stone.” He likened Abu Bakr radi Allahu anhu to Ibrahim and Isa, and Umar radi Allahu anhu to Nuh, and Abdullah ibn Rawahah radi Allahu anhu to Musa alayhi as-salam. Then he preferred the opinion of Abu Bakr radi Allahu anhu and released all of them after taking ransom. The next day, when Umar radi Allahu anhu came and saw the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and Abu Bakr radi Allahu anhu weeping, he asked: O Messenger of Allah! What is the reason for weeping? If I had known, I too would have joined you, or at least adopted a weeping appearance. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam replied: I am weeping because of the punishment that was about to befall your companions due to accepting ransom from the captives of Badr, and it had come so close to that tree. Then this noble verse was revealed «ما كان لنبي أن يكون له أسرى حتى يثخن في الأرض» (al-Anfal: 67).

2؎: From this hadith, it is understood that consultation (shura) holds great importance in Islam. If all the affairs of the Muslims are conducted through mutual consultation, there will be much goodness and blessing in them, and ease will be provided for those affairs from the Lord of the worlds, and His help will be with them.