Al-Anfal 8:68

<p>Imam Ahmad recorded that Anas said, "The Prophet asked the people for their opinion about the prisoners of war of Badr, saying,</p><p>«إِنَّ اللهَ قَدْ أَمْكَنَكُمْ مِنْهُم»</p><p>(Allah has made you prevail above them.) `Umar bin Al-Khattab stood up and said, `O Allah's Messenger! Cut off their necks,' but the Prophet turned away from him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ again asked,</p><p>«يَاأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّ اللهَ قَدْ أَمْكَنَكُمْ مِنْهُمْ وَإِنَّمَا هُمْ إِخْوَانُكُمْ بِالْأَمْس»</p><p>(O people! Allah has made you prevail over them, and only yesterday, they were your brothers.) `Umar again stood up and said, `O Allah's Messenger! Cut off their necks.' The Prophet ignored him and asked the same question again and he repeated the same answer. Abu Bakr As-Siddiq stood up and said, `O Allah's Messenger! I think you should pardon them and set them free in return for ransom.' Thereupon the grief on the face of Allah's Messenger ﷺ vanished. He pardoned them and accepted ransom for their release. Allah, the Exalted and Most Honored, revealed this verse,</p><p>لَّوْلاَ كِتَـبٌ مِّنَ اللَّهِ سَبَقَ لَمَسَّكُمْ فِيمَآ أَخَذْتُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ</p><p>(Were it not a previous ordainment from Allah, a severe torment would have touched you for what you took)."</p><p>`Ali bin Abi Talhah narrated that Ibn …

Had it not been for an ordinance of Allah which had gone before, an awful doom had come upon you on account of what ye took.

Had it not been for a previous ordainment from Allah, a severe penalty would have reached you for the (ransom) that ye took.

Were it not a previous ordainment from Allah, a severe torment would have touched you for what you took.

Were it not for a predetermined decree from God, an awful punishment would have afflicted you for what you have taken.