When engaging the enemy, care must be taken not to kill a Muslim prisoner who happens to be among them. If, during a raid or a night attack, one kills an elderly unbeliever, a child, or a woman, no blood money (diyah) or any other liability is incurred. Should he kill a believing captive without knowing his identity, the required expiation is the emancipation of a believing slave.

There is no objection to cutting down the enemy’s trees, burning their houses, or launching raids against them. No animal may be slaughtered except for food. The jurists have differed over hamstringing the enemy’s livestock, and the sounder opinion is the one I have just related to you. Mālik stated: With respect to any livestock or mounts the enemy cannot drive away, the cattle are to be slaughtered, the riding animals hamstrung, and the goods burned, for that inflicts injury upon them and weakens them.

It is not lawful for the Muslims to retreat from an enemy force that is twice their number or fewer. If they withdraw from an enemy greater than twice their number, that is permissible; yet in every case, retreat is a disgrace for anyone capable of standing firm in defense.