Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 35919 — Scheming and deception in war

It is narrated from Qays that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent Sayyiduna Amr bin al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) as commander on the campaign of Dhat al-Salasil. His army was struck by severe cold. Sayyiduna Amr bin al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) ordered: "No one is to light a fire." Then they fought the enemy. When the army returned, they complained about this to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Sayyiduna Amr bin al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "O Messenger of Allah, my army was small, and I feared that if a fire were lit the enemy would see how few we were. I also forbade them to pursue the enemy for the same reason, in case some enemy was lying in ambush behind the mountain." The narrator said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was greatly pleased with this method and stratagem.