Compassion in the battlefield
Qadhi ibn Shaddad (rahmatullahi alayhi) was the personal advisor of Salahuddin Ayyubi (rahmatullahi alayhi). They travelled together on a number of expeditions. He explains: “I was riding in the service of Salahuddin in an expedition against the Europeans, when a soldier brought a woman to us. She was crying uncontrollably and repeatedly beating her chest. It was obvious that she was seriously traumatised.
The soldier explained,
“This woman has come from the European ranks and asked to be taken to the Sultan, so I brought her here.”
The Sultan asked an interpreter to question her regarding her story.
She explained,
“Muslim thieves entered my tent last night and stole my baby girl. I have been crying out for help throughout the night. I was advised by my ruler, “Approach the Muslim Sultan, who is known to be very merciful. We will permit you to go to him and seek his assistance in finding your child.” They then directed me to you. I have no hope of finding my child except through you.”
The Sultan was overwhelmed with compassion for her and tears flowed from his eyes. Driven by his sense of generosity, he commanded one of his soldiers to proceed to the market at the army camp and enquire regarding the child. He placed some money in the soldier’s care with the instruction that the child be bought and returned. The case was heard early that morning, and within an hour, the soldier returned on horseback, carrying the little child on his shoulder.
When the woman saw her child, she fell to the ground, throwing dust over her face in relief. The people who saw her, could not help but shed tears over her plight. She then raised her head towards the heavens and uttered some words which we could not understand. Her child was returned to her and she was escorted back to her camp.
Salahuddin Ayyubi (rahmatullahi alayhi), and many other Muslim army generals, were fearless in the battlefield, but extremely merciful when it came to fulfilling the rights of the weak and oppressed. Their opposition to the enemy did not blind them from dispensing justice, and their compassion melted the hearts of their enemies. Their behaviour, in reality, was based upon the golden advice given by the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) to his Sahabah (rahmatullahi alayhi) on how to act during battle:
“In the name of Allah (SWT), fight those who disobey Him. Do not act treacherously. Do not deceive the enemy. Do not mutilate dead bodies. Do not kill children.” (Sahih Muslim).
The first Caliph Abu Bakr (radiallahu anhu) reminded his army the admonitions of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace):
“I advise you ten things: Do not kill women or children or an aged, infirm person. Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees. Do not destroy an inhabited place. Do not slaughter sheep or camels except for food. Do not burn bees and do not scatter them. Do not steal from the booty, and do not be cowardly.”
Similar instructions were issued to armies sent out by the other Righteous Caliphs (Muwatta Imam Malik)