📖Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1408
Narrated Buraidah: from his father who said: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) dispatched a commander of an army, he would exhort him personally – that he should have Taqwa of Allah, and regarding those of the Muslims who are with him -that he should be good to them. He would say: ‘Fight in the Name of Allah and in Allah’s cause. Fight those who disbelieve in Allah and fight – do not be treacherous, nor mutilate, nor kill a child.’”

What This Means:

This hadith outlines the Prophet Muhammad’s strict ethics in warfare. Before sending any army, he instructed them to:

• Maintain Taqwa (God-consciousness)
• Treat fellow Muslims justly
• Fight only in the cause of Allah, not for ego or revenge
• Avoid betrayal, destruction, or harming innocents – especially children

This narration does not mean that Muslims were commanded to randomly go and start wars against non-Muslims. Islam prohibits unjust aggression. The instruction was meant in the context of defense or against those who had declared war on Muslims, persecuted them, broke treaties, or committed open hostility.

Supporting Hadiths:

📖Sahih Muslim 1731a
It is narrated by Ibn ‘Umar that a woman was found killed in one of these battles; so the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade the killing of women and children.

These hadiths reaffirm the ethical boundaries in war – no targeting civilians, no mutilation, no treachery.

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Quranic Context:

📖Quran 2:190
Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. Indeed, Allah does not love transgressors.
This verse establishes that fighting is only allowed in self-defense or against those who are attacking first.

📖Quran 60:8
Allah does not forbid you from being kind and just to those who have not fought you because of your religion or expelled you from your homes.
This highlights that peaceful coexistence is allowed and encouraged with non-Muslims who do not show hostility.

📖Quran 22:39
Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged.
Again, fighting is not random but based on necessity due to oppression or aggression.

Islam is not a religion of aggression – it sets boundaries even in war. The Prophet ﷺ showed the highest moral standard, ensuring even the enemy’s dignity and lives were respected unless they were fighting and causing harm. Islam promotes justice – not chaos.