1350 – Abū ʿAmr—also said to be Abū Ḥakīm al-Nuʿmān ibn Muqarrin (may Allah be pleased with him)—said: “I witnessed the Messenger of Allah ﷺ; if he had not begun fighting at the very start of the morning, he would defer the battle until the sun had passed its zenith, the winds had risen, and victory had descended.” Reported by Abū Dāwūd and al-Tirmidhī, who declared it “sound and authentic.”

1351 – Abū Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Do not wish to meet the enemy, but when you do encounter them, stand firm.” Agreed upon.

1352 – On the authority of Abū Hurayrah and Jābir (may Allah be pleased with them both): the Prophet ﷺ said, “War is deception.” Agreed upon.

[Explanation]
These narrations complete the chapter on jihad cited in Riyāḍ al-Ṣāliḥīn. They encourage going forth in Allah’s path and state that if a person neither participates in battle, nor even intends to do so, nor supports a combatant by taking care of his family and possessions, a calamity will befall him before the Day of Resurrection. That calamity may be understood in light of the earlier ḥadith: “Whoever dies without having fought or even resolved to fight dies upon a branch of hypocrisy.” The traditions also urge striving against the polytheists with one’s wealth, life, and tongue. Concerning wealth: a person should spend his money to assist the fighters, purchase weaponry, and the like.