Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
Deliberately killing women or children in war is a reprehensible act in Islam.
It is with deep regret that I am writing this note at a time when, in the country of Bengal, East Pakistan, Muslims at the hands of other Muslims—men, women, and children—are being slaughtered like goats.
In the names of Bengalis, Biharis, and Punjabis, Muslims are shedding the blood of their own Islamic brothers with their own hands.

Hadith Commentary:
Abu Usamah’s response is not mentioned in the narration of Imam Bukhari rahimahullah, but Ishaq ibn Rahwayh rahimahullah has included this hadith in his Musnad, in which it is clearly mentioned that Abu Usamah admitted, “Yes! (It was only me).”

Hadith Commentary:
1.
Regarding the killing of children and women during war, generally two positions are stated:
➊.
It is absolutely permissible to kill them.
➋.
It is absolutely impermissible to kill them.
However, from the manner of Imam Bukhari rahimahullah’s exposition, it appears that there is some detail in this issue.
That is, in three situations it is permissible to kill them:
a.
When they themselves participate in the battle and come forth in the field, fully prepared to confront the Muslims.
b.
When the disbelievers and polytheists use them as shields, i.e., put them forward during the battle.
c.
When they are killed unintentionally during a night raid.
Other than these three situations, it is not permissible to kill them.
2.
Hafiz Ibn Hajar rahimahullah has explained the reason for this in these words:
Women, because they are weak and cannot fight in the battlefield, and children, because they are incapable of the act of disbelief, since disbelief itself is the cause for fighting.
And Allah knows best.
(Fath al-Bari: 6/179)

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: This is among the distinctive features and unique characteristics of Islam that, in an era when even women, children, and the elderly were subjected to killing and bloodshed, Islam prohibited their killing, provided that they are not directly involved in combat. On this matter, there is consensus among all the Imams and jurists.

Explanation:
1:
There is consensus among all scholars on the prohibition of killing women.
However, if she participates in battle as a combatant, then in such a case, killing a woman is permissible.

Benefits and Issues:
➊
It is prohibited to kill women and children.
Similarly, it is not permissible to kill elderly monks and other such individuals who do not participate in combat.

➏
When a wrongful act is witnessed, it should be stopped immediately so that others become aware and refrain from committing the same mistake.