This selection of counsels from the Prophet (peace be upon him) provide guidance that applies in times of peace as much as war. They expose the fallacies and illegitimacy of the acts perpetrated by groups falsely acting in the ,name of Islam. Their attacks against human life through drownings, burnings, undue killings and destruction of property and society completely contradict the counsels of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) They outrightly misrepresent the guidance that the Prophet imparted to the army of the Battle of Mu’ta:
“I advise you to fear Allah and to consider the welfare of the Muslims with you. Do not act, treacherously. Do not steal from the spoils of war. Do not kill a newborn [woman, decrepit person or a person in a sacred sanctuary. Do not [cut palm trees. Do not cut down trees. Do not destroy a building.”
{al-Sunan al-Kubra of Bayhaqi volume 9, page 69, and Subul al-Huda wa’l-Rashad volume 6, page 146}
Allah’s Messenger ﷺ also said, “Do not kill a child, woman, aged person, sick person or monk. Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees. Do not destroy an inhabited place. Do not slaughter a camel or cow except for food. Do not drown bees or burn them.”
{Bayhaqi narrated it in as-Sunan}
- Do not kill a child, woman, decrepit person or sick person
- Do not kill a person in a sacred sanctuary or a monk.
- Do not demolish a temple.
- Do not make for palm trees.
- Do not cut trees.
- Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees, Do not destroy a building.
- Do not destroy an inhabited place.
Also check the page, Unlawfulness of Unjust Killing
