How are prisoners of war treated in Islam?

Islam is a religion of mercy and justice. It commands inviting to its path with the best of arguments. If some reject the religion and fight the call, they are given a choice between Islam or paying jizya (tribute). If they refuse, then fighting ensues. After capture, the prisoner must be treated with kindness, fed, encouraged to embrace Islam, and not tortured. Islam commanded tying the prisoner for fear of their escape. The legitimacy of taking prisoners aims to break the enemy's strength and provide means for the release of Muslim prisoners. The Imam of the Muslims may detain prisoners until he determines what is in their best interest: either accepting a ransom, exchanging them for Muslim prisoners, releasing them as a gesture of grace, distributing them as slaves and captives, or killing the men but not the women and children.