محمد 47:5

<h2>The Command to strike the Enemies' Necks, tighten Their Bonds, and then free Them either by an Act of Grace or for a Ransom</h2><p>Guiding the believers to what they should employ in their fights against the idolators, Allah says,</p><p>فَإِذَا لَقِيتُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ فَضَرْبَ الرِّقَابِ</p><p>(So, when you meet those who disbelieve (in battle), smite their necks) which means, `when you fight against them, cut them down totally with your swords.'</p><p>حَتَّى إِذَآ أَثْخَنتُمُوهُمْ</p><p>(until you have fully defeated them,) meaning, `you have killed and utterly destroyed them.'</p><p>فَشُدُّواْ الْوَثَاقَ</p><p>(tighten their bonds.) `This is referring to the prisoners of war whom you have captured. Later on, after the war ends and the conflict has ceased, you have a choice in regard to the captives: You may either act graciously toward them by setting them free without charge, or free them for a ransom that you require from them.' It appears that this Ayah was revealed after the battle of Badr. At that time, Allah reproached the believers for sparing many of the enemy's soldiers, and holding too many captives in order to take ransom from them. So He said then:</p><p>مَا كَانَ لِنَبِىٍّ أَن يَكُونَ لَهُ أَسْرَى حَتَّى يُثْخِنَ فِي الاٌّرْضِ تُرِيدُونَ عَرَضَ الدُّنْيَا وَاللَّهُ يُرِيدُ …

He will guide them and improve their state,

Soon will He guide them and improve their condition,

He will guide them and set right their state.

He will guide them, and will improve their state of mind.