Military Instructions

The Prophet (SAWA) said, ‘Messengers and negotiators must not be killed.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Put the armoured man forward and keep the unarmoured one behind. Grit your teeth because this will make the swords skip off the skull, and dodge on the sides of the spears for it changes the direction of their blades. Close the eyes because it strengthens the spirit and gives peace to the heart. Kill the voices because this will keep off spiritlessness.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘Do not fight them unless they initiate the fighting, because, by the grace of Allah, you are in the right, and to leave them until they begin the fighting will be another proof for your sides right against them. If, by the will of Allah, the enemy is defeated, then do not kill the one who runs away nor strike a helpless person nor finish off the wounded nor inflict harm on women.

Imam Ali (AS) said, ‘The Prophet (SAWA) prohibited poisoning the land of the polytheists.

Imam Zayn al-Abidin (AS) said, ‘If you take a captive who then cannot walk further, nor have you a carriage for him, then set him free and do not kill him, for you do not know what would be the Imams ruling about him.