Ikrimah narrated from Ibn Abbas that it was said to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, after he had finished at Badr: “Go after the caravan; there is nothing between you and it.” Al-Abbas, who was a prisoner in his bonds, called out to him: “That would not be right.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, asked, “Why not?” He replied, “Because Allah, exalted is He, promised you one of the two parties, and He has given you what He promised.” (1)
His saying, exalted is He:
“O you who believe, when you meet the disbelievers advancing for battle, do not turn your backs to them.”
That is, when you are gathered together and pressing closely against one another. Advancing in close ranks means drawing near in battle. The word used here for an advancing force is a verbal noun, and for that reason it is not pluralized—just as they say, “a people of justice and contentment.” Al-Layth said: “An advancing force is a body of men who advance upon their enemy all at once; they are called an advancing force, and its plural is advancing forces.”
“Do not turn your backs to them”: that is, do not give them your backs by fleeing, for one who flees turns his back.
“Whoever turns his back to them on that day”—that is, his back—“unless manoeuvring for battle”: meaning, turning aside while feigning retreat, intending thereby to catch the enemy unawares before launching another attack; “or joining a company”: that is, joining and going over to a group of believers, intending (2) to return to the fighting.
The meaning of the verse is the prohibition of fleeing from the disbelievers and turning away from them, except with the intention of manoeuvring for battle or joining a body of Muslims, so as to seek their support and return with them to the fighting. Whoever turns his back without this intention incurs the threat mentioned by Allah, exalted is He:
“has certainly incurred the wrath of Allah, and his refuge is Hell. What an evil destination!”
The scholars differed concerning this verse. Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said: “This applied specifically to the people of Badr. They were not permitted to flee, because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was with them, and they had no company to join apart from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Had they withdrawn, they would have withdrawn to the idolaters. After that, however, the Muslims are a company for one another.” (3) Thus, one who flees is regarded as joining a company, and his flight is therefore not a major sin. This was also the view of al-Hasan, Qatadah, and al-Dahhak.
Yazid ibn Abi Habib (4) said: “Allah made the Fire obligatory for whoever fled on the day of Badr. Then, when the day of Uhud came thereafter, He said:”