Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 177
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 177 the person selected for the command should be one esteemed among his group or company. 23. On special occasions, the Holy Prophet invited his Companions to take a special oath of allegiance and loyalty, as was done at Hudaibiyya, of which mention is made in the Holy Quran (48:19). 24. When the Holy Prophet was himself present, battle was not joined till he gave permission. 25. During the course of battle he issued special directions from time to time and announced them himself or directed someone with a powerful voice to go on announcing them. 26. Muslims were not permitted to run away from battle or to lay down their arms. They were commanded to prevail or to become martyrs. There was, however, permission to retreat as a manoeuvre (8:16,17). If due to some weakness anyone contravened this injunctio n the Holy Prophet was not wroth with any such, and gave them the benefit of the doubt that they might have retreated as a manoeuvre and encouraged them to be steadfast in future. 27. Muslims were forbidden to inflict an injury upon anyone’s face. The Holy Prophet, peace be on him, observed that a Muslim should be most careful in inflicting an injury. 28. Muslims were under a strict injunction to take no