The second is that they should defer the matter to his judgment and entrust it to his management, so that their opinions do not diverge. Allah Most High says: “If they had referred it to the Messenger and those in authority among them, those of them who are able to draw correct conclusions from it would have known it” (Quran 4:84).
If a sound view becomes clear to them that was hidden from him, they should explain it to him and point it out to him, for Allah Most High has encouraged consultation.
The third is that they should hasten to carry out his commands and refrain from what he forbids and censures. If they refrain from what he has commanded them to do and proceed to do what he has forbidden, he may discipline them for their disobedience according to their circumstances, but he must not be harsh in a way that drives them away. Allah Most High said to His Prophet: “Had you been harsh and hard-hearted, they would have dispersed from around you” (Quran 3:159). Ibn al-Musayyab narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The best of your religion is that which is easiest.”
The fourth is that they must not dispute with him over the booty when he distributes it among them, but should accept the equitable division made among them.
Among the rulings governing this command is that the commander must stand firm in fighting the enemy and prolong the engagement, and must not turn away from them while he still has the strength to fight. Allah Most High says: “O believers! Be steadfast, persevere, remain stationed, and be mindful of Allah, so that you may be successful” (Quran 3:200). It has been said regarding this verse: “Be steadfast in obedience to Allah, persevere against the enemies of Allah, and remain stationed in the path of Allah.” It has also been said: “Be steadfast in jihad, persevere against the enemy, and remain stationed by guarding the frontier.
Since steadfastness in combat is among the rights of jihad, it remains obligatory until one of four outcomes is achieved. The first is that they embrace Islam, thereby securing their lives and property through Islam; their young children follow them into Islam as well.
The second is that Allah grants him victory over them, whereupon he takes their women and children captive, seizes their wealth, and kills those who were not taken prisoner. With regard to the captives, he has the choice to adopt whichever of four measures is most beneficial: first, to execute them by striking their necks; second, to enslave them and apply the rulings of slavery to them, whether by selling or manumitting them; third, to ransom them in exchange for money or prisoners; or fourth, to release them graciously and pardon them.