Talhah bin Abdullah bin Abd al-Rahman bin Abi Bakr says: Whenever Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) sent his commanders to fight the apostates (ahl al-riddah), he would instruct them: When you reach their dwellings, stop. If you hear the call to prayer (adhan), ask them the reason for their grievance; if you do not hear the adhan, then attack: strike them, kill, burn and wound. Let no weakness come over you because of the death of your Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب قتال أهل البغي / 16738