Life of Muhammad — Page 117
sa 117 essential part of the Islamic teaching. We append here some sayings of the Prophet sa on the subject of war and peace. (i) Muslims are forbidden altogether to mutilate the dead ( Muslim ). (ii) Muslims are forbidden to resort to cheating ( Muslim ). (iii) Children are not to be killed, nor women ( Muslim ). (iv) Priests and religious functionaries and religious leaders are not to be interfered with ( T a ha v i ). (v) The old and decrepit and women and children are not to be killed. The possibility of peace should always be kept in view ( Ab u D a w u d ). (vi) When Muslims enter enemy territory, they should not strike terror into the general population. They should permit no ill-treatment of common folk ( Muslim ). (vii) A Muslim army should not camp in a place where it causes inconvenience to the general public. When it marches it should take care not to block the road nor cause discomfort to other wayfarers. (viii) No disfigurement of face is to be permitted ( Bukh a r i and Muslim ). (ix) The least possible losses should be inflicted upon the enemy ( Ab u D a w u d ). (x) When prisoners of war are put under guard, those closely related should be placed together ( Ab u D a w u d ). (xi) Prisoners should live in comfort. Muslims should care more for the comfort of their prisoners than for their own ( Tirmidh i ). (xii) Emissaries and delegates from other countries should be held in great respect. Any mistakes or discourtesies they commit should be ignored ( Ab u D a w u d , Kit a b al jih a d ). (xiii) If a Muslim commits the sin of ill-treating a prisoner of war, atonement is to be made by releasing the prisoner without ransom.