صحيح مسلم
Muslim
كتاب الجهاد والسيرThe Book of Jihad and Expeditions
باب كَرَاهَةِ تَمَنِّي لِقَاءِ الْعَدُوِّ وَالأَمْرِ بِالصَّبْرِ عِنْدَ اللِّقَاءِ:Chapter: It is disliked to wish to meet the enemy, and the command to be steadfast when meeting the enemy
حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْحُلْوَانِيُّ ، وَعَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ ، قَالَا : حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَامِرٍ الْعَقَدِيُّ ، عَنْ الْمُغِيرَةِ وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْحِزَامِيُّ ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ ، عَنْ الْأَعْرَجِ ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، قَالَ : " لَا تَمَنَّوْا لِقَاءَ الْعَدُوِّ فَإِذَا لَقِيتُمُوهُمْ فَاصْبِرُوا " .
It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Do not desire an encounter with the enemy; but when you encounter them, be firm.
Explanation & Benefits
Shaykh Maulana Abdul Aziz Alvi
Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues:
From this hadith, it is understood that one should not consider the enemy insignificant; rather, one should give them importance and weight, so that proper preparation can be made. And when matters can be resolved without war, then merely relying on one’s own strength, trusting in one’s own power, and considering oneself to be something great, one should not desire or wish for confrontation with the enemy. However, if there is no alternative except fighting, then while utilizing apparent means and resources, and supplicating for Allah’s (subhanahu wa ta'ala) help and support, one should stand firm in the confrontation and should not avoid it.
From this hadith, it is understood that one should not consider the enemy insignificant; rather, one should give them importance and weight, so that proper preparation can be made. And when matters can be resolved without war, then merely relying on one’s own strength, trusting in one’s own power, and considering oneself to be something great, one should not desire or wish for confrontation with the enemy. However, if there is no alternative except fighting, then while utilizing apparent means and resources, and supplicating for Allah’s (subhanahu wa ta'ala) help and support, one should stand firm in the confrontation and should not avoid it.
Source: Tuhfat al-Muslim: Commentary on Sahih Muslim, Page: 4541
