JIHAD SECTION · 89 – Things Recommended in Armies, Companions, and Groups
It is narrated from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The most virtuous companionship in travel is a group of four, the most virtuous raiding party is four hundred, the most virtuous army is four thousand, and an army of twelve thousand will not be overcome by fewness.”
Sulayman ibn Burayda, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated:
That the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would, when appointing a commander for a raiding party or army, advise him to fear Allah concerning himself and to give good counsel to those Muslims who were with him. He said: “When you encounter your polytheistic enemies, invite them to one of three things or one of three matters. Whatever they accept from among these, you accept from them, and release them. First, call them to Islam. If they accept it, accept their Islam and release them. Then, call them to emigrate from their lands to the land of the emigrants, and inform them. If they do that, then treat them with the generosity shown to the emigrants, and let them know that whatever is done for the emigrants is also done for them. If they prefer their homelands, then they will be like the bedouin Muslims. Allah’s decree which falls upon the believers will fall upon them. There is no good for them in spoils of war or wealth taken without fighting, except those who join in jihad with the Muslims. If they turn away from Islam, call them to pay Jizya (tribute). If they accept it, accept it from them and release them. If they refuse, seek help from Allah and fight against them. When you besiege a people within a fortress and they ask you to apply Allah’s ruling to them, do not apply it. For you do not know what Allah has ruled concerning them. Rather, apply your own ruling to them, and then give whatever judgment you wish regarding them.”
Süleyman ibn Burayda, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated from his father, who said:
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Fight in the name of Allah, on the path of Allah, and fight those who deny Allah without breaking oaths, without betraying, without mutilating, and without killing children.”
Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said: “In the name of Allah, with the name of Allah, wage war, maintaining steadfastness in the religion of the Messenger of Allah. Do not kill the old, the young, or the women. Do not betray a spoil; rather, gather it together and settle your affairs justly. Act kindly (for indeed Allah loves those who act kindly).”
EXPLANATION:
According to the Hanafi school of thought: It is permissible to kill priests, the elderly, women, and the blind. According to the Shafi’i school of thought: Priests, the elderly, and the blind may be killed if they do not believe. (Mealim al-Sunan, vol. 3, p. 419)