And whoever he finds among them to possess physical endurance and strength for work, while being unlikely to betray or cause harm, he enslaves, so that he may become an aid to the Muslims. Whoever he finds among them likely to embrace Islam, or obeyed by his people, and through showing him favor hopes either for his conversion or to win over his people, he releases without ransom.

If he finds one of them possessed of wealth and means, while the Muslims are in need of it, he ransoms him for money, thereby securing a resource for the Muslims and a source of strength for Islam. If any Muslim men or women are among the captives of his clan, he ransoms him in exchange for their release. Thus, his choice among the four options is made in whichever manner is most beneficial and advantageous.

The money obtained as ransom is booty, added to the other spoils, and is not reserved exclusively for him to the exclusion of the Muslims. If the imam had authorized the killing of one of the polytheists because of the severity of his harm, his prowess, and the injury he caused, and that man was subsequently captured, it is permissible to release him as a favor and pardon him.