Mishkat al-Masabih

Sulaiman b. Buraida told on his father’s authority that when God’s Messenger appointed a commander over an army or a detachment he instructed him to fear God himself and consider the welfare of the Muslims who were with him. He then said, “Go forth in God’s name in God’s path and fight with those who disbelieve in God. Go forth and do not be unfaithful regarding booty, or treacherous, or mutilate anyone, or kill a child. When you meet the polytheists who are your enemy summon them to three things, and accept whichever of them they are willing to agree to, and refrain from them. Then* summon them to Islam, and if they agree accept it from them and refrain from them. Then summon them to leave their abodes and transfer to the abode of the Emigrants, and tell them that if they do so they will have the same rights and responsibilities as the Emigrants; but if they refuse to transfer from them tell them they will be like the desert Arabs who are Muslims, subject to God’s jurisdiction which applies to the believers, but will have no spoil or booty unless they strive with the Muslims. If they refuse demand the jizya from them, and if they agree accept it from them and refrain from them; but if they refuse seek God’s help and fight with them. When you invest a fortress and its people wish you to grant them the protection of God and His prophet, grant them neither but grant them your protection and that of your companions, for it is less serious to break your guarantee of protection and that of your companions than to break that of God and His Messenger. If you invest a fortress and its people offer to capitulate and have the matter referred to God’s jurisdiction, do not grant this, but let them capitulate and have the matter referred to your jurisdiction, for you do not know whether or not you will hit on God’s jurisdiction regarding them.” * What follows gives in detail the three things mentioned above. Muslim transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. Abu Aufa told that at one of his battles in which God’s Messenger met the enemy he waited till the sun declined, then stood up among the people and said, “You people must not desire to meet the enemy, but must ask God for wellbeing, and when you meet them show endurance and know that paradise is under the shadows of the swords." He then said, “O God, who sendest down the Book, makest the clouds to travel and routest the confederates, rout them and give us victory over them.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

When the Prophet took us out on an expedition against a people he did not set out with us till the morning. He would look at them, and if he heard a call to prayer he refrained from them, but if he did not hear any he attacked them. We went out to Khaibar and reached them by night, but when the morning came and he heard no call to prayer he mounted. I mounted behind Abu Talha and my foot was touching God’s Prophet’s They came out to us with their large baskets and their spades, and when they saw the Prophet they said, “Muhammad, by God, Muhammad and the army," and went for refuge to the fortress. When God's Messenger saw them he said, “God is most great, God is most great. Khaibar has fallen.1 When we alight in the courtyard of a people it is an evil morning for those who have been warned."2 1. Or, 'May Khaibar fall. 2. Cf. Al-Qur'an; 37:177. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

An-Nu‘man b. Muqarrin said he was present at fighting along with God’s Messenger, and when he did not fight at the beginning of the day he waited till the winds blew and the time of prayer came. Bukhari transmitted it.

An-Nu‘man b. Muqarrin said he was present at fighting along with God’s Messenger, and when he did not fight at the beginning of the day he waited till the sun had passed the meridian, the winds blew and help came down. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

I went on an expedition with God's Messenger, and when dawn came he waited till the sun rose and when it rose he fought. Then when midday came he stopped till the sun passed the meridian and when it had done so he fought till the afternoon, when he stopped till he prayed the afternoon prayer, and then fought. Qatada told that it used to be said that the winds of victory blew at that time and the believers made supplication for their armies during their prayer. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

God’s Messenger sent us in a detachment and said, “When you see a mosque or hear a mu’adhdhin (The one who makes the call to prayer) do not kill anyone.” Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. From Khalid b. al-Walid to Rustum and Mih'an among the nobles of Persia. Peace be to those who follow the guidance. To proceed: We summon you to Islam, but if you refuse then pay the jizya in subjection feeling humbled (Cf. Al-Qur'an, 9:29). If you refuse to do that, I have with me people who love being killed in God’s path as the Persians love wine. Peace be to those who follow the guidance. It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna.

Jabir told that a man said to the Prophet at the battle of Uhud, “Tell me where I shall be if I am killed,” and that when he replied that he would be in paradise he threw away some dates he had in his hand and fought till he was killed. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

When God’s Messenger intended to go on an expedition he always pretended to be going somewhere else till that expedition, meaning the one to Tabuk. God’s Messenger undertook it in extreme heat, facing a long journey, desert country and a numerous enemy. He made clear to the Muslims what they were about to do in order that they might get ready the equipment for their expedition, telling them where he was going. Bukhari transmitted it.

Jabir reported God's Messenger as saying, “War is deception.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas told that when God’s Messenger went on an expedition he took Umm Sulaim, and he had some women of the Ansar who supplied water and tended the wounded when he made an expedition. Muslim transmitted it.

I went on seven expeditions with God's Messenger and stayed behind to look after the baggage, prepare food for them, tend the wounded and look after the sick. Muslim transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar said God’s Messenger forbade killing women and children. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

As-Sa‘b b. Jaththama told that God’s Messenger was asked about the polytheists whose settlements were attacked at night when some of their women and offspring were smitten, and replied that they were of their number. A version has it that they were regarded in the same way as their parents. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

The nobles of the B. Lu’ayy treated lightly a widely dispersed conflagration in al-Buwaira. Concerning that came down, “The palm-trees you cut down or left standing on their roots, it was by God’s permission” (Al-Quran 59:5). (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘Abdallah b. ‘Aun said that Nafi‘ wrote to tell him that Ibn ‘Umar informed him the Prophet made an attack on the B. al-Mustaliq attacking their camels in al-Muraisi‘.* He killed the fighting men and took the children captive. * Ibn Ishaq says this expedition took place in Sha'ban, 6 A.H., but this has been questioned, Muraisi’ was a watering-place belonging to the B. al-Mustaliq. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Usaid reported the Prophet as saying to them at the battle of Badr when they drew up in line to meet Quraish and they drew up in line to meet them, “When they come near you shoot arrows at them.” A version has, “When they come near you shoot at them, but do not use all your arrows.” Bukhari transmitted it.

‘Abd ar-Rahman b. ‘Auf told that at Badr the Prophet equipped hem at night for battle. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Al-Muhallab reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If the enemy attacks you at night let your war-cry be Ha’ Mim'. They will not be helped’.”* *These words may be taken from sura 41 which is one beginning with Ha Mim. The other words are in verse 16 of that sura. Cf. 44: 41. Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.