Islamic clemency and mercy is so extensive that it appears in the battlefield too. In other words, Islam renders such importance to affection, benevolence and clemency that it recommends it to its followers even in the center of violence and harshness! On this account, we find remarkable points in this respect in the narrations concerned with manners and rules of warfare, one of which is referred to hereunder:

Imam Sadiq (a.s.) says: When Islam’s Prophet (s.a.) decided to send soldiers to the battlefield, he called and reminded them the rules(15),  (so that if a soldier disregarded the rules, he was reproached):

سیرو بسم الله و بالله و فی سبیل الله و علی مله رسول الله

Depart towards the battlefield (but not for sensual desires; rather), in the name of God and for His consent, and with a pure intention for Him free from any non-godly motive and act as per the Islamic programs (which will be explained later).

Do not betray (لا تغلوا): What is meant by this phrase? Three possible concepts could be understood:

First: Do not betray when distributing war spoils. It has been also mentioned in some other Quranic verses to divide what belongs to the government and leadership, and what for the warriors shall be distributed among them fairly.

Second: The previous warriors may have betrayed each other in some affairs others than spoils.

Third: Not only do not betray your mate warriors, but also do not betray your enemies, and fight with them chivalrously.

Do not mutilate (و لا تمثلوا): Do not mutilate the corpse of your enemy after killing him.

It has been narrated from Islam Prophet (s.a.): Even if a wild dog attacked you, and you killed it. You are not authorized to mutilate it.(16)

Dot not deceive (و لا تغدروا): If you agreed for peace with your enemy, and signed cease fire with him, respect your promise and contract, and do not violate it. Moslem is one who is faithful even to the promise and contract he binds with his enemies. Hazrat Ali (a.s.) writes to his brave commander, Malek Ashtar:

If a contract and promise is concluded between you and your enemy, or you gave refuge to him, be faithful to your promise, and trustful to what you have undertaken, and do not spare your life for your promise, because none of divine obligations is similar to fulfillment of promise, in which all people in the world agree despite of all different thoughts and desires they may have.(17)

لا تقتلوا شیخاً فانیاً و لا صبیاً و لا امرأه

Do not attack the weak and unable people who do not participate in the war, and do not kill the feeble old men, children and ladies.

و لا تقطعوا شجراً الا ان تضطروا الیها

Do not cut trees, unless you have to!

Studying these high rules and prudent and advanced instructions, one finds and is surprised with magnificence of Islam and scope of Islamic mercy. The Islamic clemency is even extended to the center of violence, and it includes even the trees. Prophet (s.a.) orders his soldiers not to cut any tree at the time of war and battle, and not to hurt nature, unless the trees impede progress of Moslem soldiers and host of Quran. In this case, there is no problem for cutting them as much as necessary.

The further instructions of Prophet (s.a.) clearly indicates Islamic clemency, benevolence and mercy in the battle field. Pay attention:

و ایما رجل من ادنی المسلمین او افضلهم نظر الی احد من المشرکین فهو جار حتی یسمع کلام الله، فان تبعکم فاخوکم فی الدین و ان ابی فابلغوه مأمنه:

When one from the Moslem host, either the highest or the lowest in rank, gives refuge to one of the polytheists, he shall be secure, and he shall be transferred to the rear. The Islamic knowledge, instructions and rulings shall be explained for him gently and patiently. If he converted to Islam,  he would be a Moslem like you, and would have the same rights Moslem have. If he did not accept Islam, or asked a respite for thinking about the Islamic instructions,  he shall be returned to his country safely, and he shall never be annoyed and bothered.

Of course, it is not easy to follow these instructions. It calls for a strong faith and charity. This is the reason why at the end of his lecture, Prophet (s.a.) orders his soldiers to seek help from God for observance of these rules. Does the world claiming for observance of human rights and philanthropic mottoes observe any of such rules?! In the conflict between Israel and Palestine, these rules are never observed. Rather, these barbarian and savage felons ruin the houses of Palestinians and burn their farms, and destroy the trees. They show no pity to the small and old men and women. At the meantime, those claiming for human rights defend them and accuse us to violence!