Book 19: Jihad

Jabir told that a man said to the Prophet (ﷺ) 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.)

Ka‘b b. Malik said: 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.

Umm ‘Atiya said: 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.)

Ibn ‘Umar told that God’s Messenger cut down the palm-trees of the B. an-Nadir and burned them. On that Hassan says: 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 (ﷺ) 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 (ﷺ) 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.