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Ethics of War
A. Prohibition of Initiating a Battle
509. Tārikh al-Tabari - narrating from Jundab al-Azdi: “Ali (a.s.) would command us whenever we were in his company and we confronted the enemy: “Do not fight them until they begin; because you, by the grace of God, have proof (reason), and letting them initiate the fighting will be another proof and excuse for you. Whenever you fight with them and defeat them, do not kill one who retreats; do not murder the wounded; do not slander, nor mutilate the dead. When you reach the encampment of the enemy do not plunder nor enter a house without permission. Do not seize anything from them except what you find in their military base. Do not inflict pain on women by persecuting them even if they insulted your honor and abuse your officers, as they [the women] are weak in power and in will.”1
510. Imām Ali (a.s.) – in his instructions to Mālik al-Ashtar before the battle of Siffin: “Beware of starting the war against this group till you meet them and hear their words unless they begin it. Their evil should not prompt you to fight before inviting them [to guidance] and repeatedly leaving some room for their excuses.”2
511. Imām Ali (a.s.) – in his instructions to his army before confronting the enemy in Siffin: “Do not fight them unless they initiate the fighting for by the grace of God, you have proof, and let them them until they begin fighting will be another proof for you against them. If, by the will of God, the enemy is defeated then do not kill the one who runs away, do not strike a helpless person and do not finish off the wounded.”3
1.. Tārikh al-Tabari, vol. ۵, p. ۱۰, al-Kāmil fi al-Tārikh, vol. ۲, p. ۳۷۰, al-Futuh, vol. ۳, p.۳۲.
2.. Waq`at Siffin, p. ۱۵۳, Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۳۲, p. ۴۱۴, h. ۳۷۴.
3.. Nahj al-Balāghah, Letter ۱۴, Waq`at Siffin, p. ۲۰۳.
