Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 175
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 175 to which they are dedicated; do not cut down fruit trees, nor ruin an inhabited place. ’ All this was designed towards making war humane and to put an end to the inhuman practices that were current in Arabia before the advent of Islam. 13. Whenever the Holy Prophet dispatched a party or a force, he appointed an emir (commander, or leader) over them. He directed that even if as few as three persons should set out on an errand, they should appoint one of themselves as their leader. He insisted on the rendering of full obedience to the emir. He said, ‘Even if a stupid Ne gro slave is appointed emir over you, render him full obedience,’ though he added that if the emir should require something to be done which was clearly opposed to a divine command or to a direction of his own, he should not be obeyed in that respect, but his authority must be upheld at all times. 14. In the course of a journey, when the Holy Prophet and his Companions had to ascend a height they glorified Allah in the words ‘Allah is Most Great’ and when they had to descend from a height, they glorified Allah in the words ‘Holy is Allah’. 15. The Muslims were directed that during the course of a march, they should not make camp in a manner that might prove inconvenient for other people, nor should they march in a manner so as to block the way. He said in the course of a journey: He who does not safeguard