G. Helping the Feeble
519. Imām Ali (a.s.) – to his companions on the battlefield in Siffin: “Whoever among you feels spiritedness of heart during the battle and finds any of his comrades feeling disheartened, he should defend him just as he would do for himself because of the superiority in courage he enjoys over him. If God wills, He will make the former also like him.”1
520. Imām Ali (a.s.): “Whenever in a war, you find any of your brothers wounded, or someone afflicted with an injury, or someone who has been targeted by the enemy, strengthen him by your spirit [giving him courage].”2
H. Good Conduct towards the Remaining Enemy Troops.
521. Tārikh al-Ya`qubi – narrating from Ismā`il ibn Ali: “The first person who taught how to fight with the people of qibla was Ali ibn Abi Tālib (a.s.). He would not kill the captives, would not chase after the defeated and would not finish off the wounded.”3
522. al-`Iqd al-Farid – narrating from Abu al-Hasan – in the reports concerning the events of the battle of Siffin: “Ali’s (a.s.) herald would come out every day and call out: “O People! Do not finish off the wounded; do not chase after those who have turned their back to the battlefield; do not rob the killed; and those who have laid down their weapons should remain secure.”4
1.. Nahj al-Balāghah, Sermon ۱۲۳, al-Irshād, vol. ۱, p. ۲۵۳, al-Jamal, p. ۳۳۴.
2.. al-Khisāl, p. ۶۱۷, h.۱۰, Tuhaf al-`Uqul, p. ۱۰۷, Bihār al-Anwār, vol. ۱۰۰, p. ۲۱, h. ۸.
3.. Tārikh al-Ya`qubi, vol. ۲, p. ۳۸۳.
4.. al-`Iqd al-Farid, vol. ۳, p. ۳۳۳, Imām Ali (a.s.) also observed the same position toward the enemies in other battles, cf., Waq`at Siffin, p. ۲۰۴, al-Kāfi, vol. ۵, p. ۳۳, h. ۳, al-Mustadrak `alā al-Sahihayn, vol. ۲, p. ۱۶۸, h. ۲۶۶۱. He had inspired this way of conduct towards the enemy from the sira of the Prophet (s.a.w.) al-Kāfi, vol. ۵, p. ۱۲, h. ۲, Tahdhib al-Ahkām, vol. ۶, p. ۱۵۵, h. ۲۷۴, Ibid, p. ۱۵۶, h. ۲۷۶.
