501. Imām Ali (a.s.): “The escapee (from the battle) should know that he has infuriated God and has destroyed himself. Verily in escaping there is hostility towards God, perpetual degradation, eternal disgrace and depravity of life. The escapee will not prolong his life, nor will there come an interval between him and the day he is destined to die, nor will he please God. A man’s death in honesty and truthfulness before committing such a practice [escape from battle] is better than involving in these practices and accepting them.”1
502. al-Kāfi – narrating from Mālik ibn A`yan: “The Commander of the Faithful exhorted the people in the Battle of Siffin saying, “…May God have mercy on him who helps his brother and does not leave the adversary to his comrade lest both his own adversary and his comrade’s join against him (comrade). This way he will be condemned and will come to vileness; and why should it not be so when his brother fights with two people whereas he has given up and left his adversary to his brother and while he is fleeing he looks back at the enemy and his brother? Everyone who does so, God will regard him as His enemy. Do not expose yourselves to enmity with God for you will certainly be moving towards Him. God the Glorified and Exalted said: “Flight will not avail you, should you flee from death or from being killed, and then you will be left to enjoy only for a little while.”2
“By God, if you flee from the sword of the world, you will not be secure against the swords of the world to come. Take recourse in patience and truthfulness, for triumph would verily follow patience. Struggle for the sake of God with a struggling which is worthy of Him; and there is no power and no strength save in God.”3
E. Concealing that which Ruins the Troops’ Morale
503. Waq`at Siffin – narrating from Abu Rawq: “Ziyad ibn al-Nadr al-Hārithi said to `Abdullah ibn Badil ibn Warqā': “Indeed our day and theirs is so hard. No one will endure it except he who is brave-hearted, well-intended and steadfast. By God, I
do not suppose that today anyone would survive except the villainous.”
Abdullah ibn Badil said: “By God, I think so too.”
Ali (a.s.) said: “Let this word be hidden in your hearts. Do not express it, and nobody should hear of it from you. Verily God has destined some group to be killed and some to die; everyone will receive his death as it is ordained. So how blessed are those who fight in the path of God and those who are killed in obedience to Him.’”4
1.. al-Kāfi, vol. ۵, p. ۴۱, h. ۴, Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۳۲, p. ۴۷۲, h. ۴۱۱. Also cf. al-Mi`yār wa al-Mawāzin, p. ۱۰۵.
2.. Qur'ān, ۳۳:۱۶.
3.. al-Kāfi, vol. ۵, p. ۳۹, h. ۴, Waq`at Siffin, p. ۲۳۵, Tārikh Tabari, vol. ۵, h. ۱۶. Also cf. Nahj al-Balāghah, Sermon ۱۲۴.
4.. Waq`at Siffin, p. ۱۱۱, Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۳۲, p. ۴۰۳, h. ۳۶۹ – ۳۷۳, Sharh Nahj al-Balāghah, vol. ۳, p. ۱۸.
