Fight Resolute and Vigorously – No Half-Hearted Fights – No Retreat
8. [al-Anfal, Medina 88, after Badr 2H]
The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:
يَا
أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ...
8: 15. O ye who believe!
...إِذَا لَقِيتُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ زَحْفاً فَلاَ تُوَلُّوهُمُ الأَدْبَارَ ﴿١٥﴾
when ye meet the unbelievers in hostile array, never turn your backs to them.
C1190. The laws of Jihad are exactly similar to those enforced by military virtue and discipline. Meet your enemy fairly and squarely, not rashly, but after due preparation.
Zahfan in the text (meeting in hostile array) implies a slow and well-planned proceeding towards a hostile army. When once in combat, carry it through: there is no room for second thoughts.
Death or victory should be the motto of every soldier: it may be death for himself individually, but if he has faith, there is triumph in either case for his cause.
Two exceptions are recognised:
- reculer pour mieux sauter, to go back in order to jump forward; or
to deceive the enemy by a feint;
- if an individual or body is, by the chances of battle, isolated from his own force, he can fall back on his force in order to fight the battle.
There is no virtue in mere single-handedness. Each individual must use his life and his resources to the best advantage for the common cause.
8: 15
Asad O you who have attained to faith! When you meet in battle those who are bent on denying the truth, advance in great force, do not turn your backs on them:
Pickthall O ye who believe, When ye meet those who disbelieve in battle, turn not your backs to them.
Transliteration Ya_ ayyuhal lazina a_manu_ iza_ laqitumul lazina kafaru_ zahfan fala_ tuwallu_humul adba_r(a).
[[ Asad’s notes - [asad note 17: …..no retreat is permissible ]
[ali note 1190 The laws of spiritual fight are exactly similar to those enforced by military virtue and discipline]
{ Ruby’s take – retreat may be allowed only if the commander decides so as a strategy (see the next verses), but individual person cannot retreat on his own decision or slow down, even that means death. This kind of fight is for the true causes of Jihad: fighting grave injustice and oppression, fighting to establish God’s order( Not for dominance or for acquiring control to impose one’s will on another), or to defend against enemy’s attack.} ]]
[[ Alis notes
1190 The laws of Jihad are exactly similar to those enforced by military virtue and discipline. Meet your enemy fairly and squarely, not rashly, but after due preparation. Zahfan in the text (meeting in hostile array) implies a slow and well-planned proceeding towards a hostile army. When once in combat, carry it through: there is no room for second thoughts. Death or victory should be the motto of every soldier: it may be death for himself individually, but if he has faith, there is triumph in either case for his cause. Two exceptions are recognized: (1) reculer pour mieux sauter, to go back in order to jump forward; or to deceive the enemy by a feint; (2) if an individual or body is, by the chances of battle, isolated from his own force, he can fall back on his force in order to fight the battle. There is no virtue in mere single-handedness. Each individual must use his life and his resources to the best advantage for the common cause. (8.15) ]]