(1) Shaykh al-Islam states in al-Sarim al-Maslul, 2/506: “This case is comparable to a captive whose execution is required by public interest, for we know that if he escaped the harm he would inflict upon the Muslims would exceed the harm of putting him to death; therefore, by unanimous agreement, neither pardoning him nor ransoming him is permissible.” (2) In the printed edition: harbah. (3) In the printed edition: harbah. (4) In the printed edition: harbah. (5) Shaykh al-Islam says in al-Fatawa, 10/374: “Hence, anyone among the unbelievers, combatants, or other sinners who repents before we gain power over him is relieved of the divine punishment. If a harbi embraces Islam before being apprehended, his life, family, and property are protected; the same ruling applies to the highway robber, the fornicator, the thief, and the drinker when they repent prior to capture, for the objective is fulfilled through repentance.”