16/14. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 1408 — Ethics of Battle
What Has Been Related About The Prohibition of Mutilation
Hadith About War Ethics in Islam
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 1408
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 1408
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ مَهْدِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ بْنِ مَرْثَدٍ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ بُرَيْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا بَعَثَ أَمِيرًا عَلَى جَيْشٍ أَوْصَاهُ فِي خَاصَّةِ نَفْسِهِ بِتَقْوَى اللَّهِ وَمَنْ مَعَهُ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ خَيْرًا فَقَالَ " اغْزُوا بِسْمِ اللَّهِ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ قَاتِلُوا مَنْ كَفَرَ بِاللَّهِ اغْزُوا وَلاَ تَغُلُّوا وَلاَ تَغْدِرُوا وَلاَ تُمَثِّلُوا وَلاَ تَقْتُلُوا وَلِيدًا " . وَفِي الْحَدِيثِ قِصَّةٌ . قَالَ وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ وَشَدَّادِ بْنِ أَوْسٍ وَعِمْرَانَ بْنِ حُصَيْنٍ وَأَنَسٍ وَسَمُرَةَ وَالْمُغِيرَةِ وَيَعْلَى بْنِ مُرَّةَ وَأَبِي أَيُّوبَ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى حَدِيثُ بُرَيْدَةَ حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ . وَكَرِهَ أَهْلُ الْعِلْمِ الْمُثْلَةَ .
Buraida Narrated from:
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 Curse. Fight Those Who Disbelieve In Allah And Fight, Do Not Be Treacherous, Nor Mutilate, Nor Kill A Child."
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1408In-book reference : Book 16, Hadith 24English translation : Vol. 3, Book 14, Hadith 1408
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 1408
This Hadith about war ethics in Islam describes what the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم would tell a commander before sending an army. He would advise him personally to have taqwa of Allah and to be good to the Muslims with him. Then he would tell him to fight in the name of Allah and in the way of Allah. The Hadith also gives clear limits: do not be treacherous, do not mutilate, and do not kill a child. The message is direct and balanced. Even in battle, the text places fear of Allah, good conduct, and limits on harm at the center.
What we learn from this hadith
- A commander is advised to have taqwa of Allah.
- Muslims under leadership should be treated well.
- Treachery and mutilation are forbidden in the Hadith.
- The Hadith clearly forbids killing a child.
