It is narrated from Imran bin Husain (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) ransomed two Muslim men in exchange for one male polytheist prisoner. 1. Imam Tirmidhi says: 1- This hadith is Hasan Sahih (good and authentic), 2- Abu Qilabah's name is Abdullah bin Zaid Jarami, 3- Most of the scholars among the Companions and others act upon this, that the Imam has the choice to show kindness to whichever prisoner he wishes, to kill whomever he wishes, and to take ransom from whomever he wishes, 4- Some scholars have preferred killing over ransom, 5- Imam Awza'i says: I have received the information that this verse «فإما منا بعد وإما فداء» is abrogated and the verse: «واقتلوهم حيث ثقفتموهم» is its abrogator, 6- Ishaq bin Mansur says: I asked Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal: What do you consider better when a prisoner is captured, to kill him or to take ransom from him? He replied: If they can take ransom, there is no harm in it, and if they are killed, I see no harm in that either, 7- Ishaq bin Rahwayh says: In my view, shedding blood is better when it becomes well-known and most people desire it.
Hadith Referenceسنن ترمذي / كتاب السير عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم / 1568