JIHAD SECTION · 97 – Orders Regarding the Gathering and Deployment of Soldiers on Campaign
Abu Sa’leba al-Huseni, may Allah be pleased with him, said: (During a campaign)
The companions would settle in a place, and the narrator, Amr, relates that the Messenger of Allah
would say, "When you settle in a place, people scatter." Upon this, they would disperse to the foothills of mountains and valleys. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Your scattering to these foothills and valleys is only from Satan.” After that, when they settled in a place, they would draw close to one another, so much so that a single blanket could cover them all.
[Explanation]
It is prudent for soldiers going towards the enemy to remain together in their resting places. Being scattered leads to defeat in sudden attacks.
Saḥl bin Muāz bin ‘Anas al-Juhani, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated from his father, saying:
I accompanied the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, on such and such a campaign. The people constricted the encampments and blocked the roads. So the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, sent forth a crier who proclaimed among the people: “Whoever constricts an encampment or blocks a road, there is no jihād (reward) for him.”
Saḥl ibn Muāz reported from his father, saying: “We went out with the Prophet ﷺ on an expedition, and he related the meaning of the preceding narration.”