Section: If the enemy arrives at a town, its people may take shelter from them, even if they are more than half of them, so that reinforcements or strength may reach them. This is neither turning away nor fleeing; rather, turning away is [what happens] after meeting [the enemy] (28). If they meet them outside the fortress, they may retreat to the fortress, because that is equivalent to maneuvering for battle or retreating to a group [of Muslims]. If they are on an expedition and their mounts are lost, this is not an excuse for fleeing, because fighting is possible for infantry. If they retreat to a mountain to fight as infantry, there is no harm in that, for it is a maneuver for battle. If their weapons are lost, and they retreat to a place where they can fight using stones, taking cover behind trees and the like, or if there is a benefit in retreating to it, it is permissible.
Section: If a group turns away before the booty is secured, and the others secure it, the ones who fled are entitled to nothing, because its acquisition was achieved by others, so its ownership belongs to those who secured it. If they claim they fled while retreating to a group or maneuvering for battle, they are still entitled to nothing for that reason. If they fled after the booty was secured, their share of it does not lapse, because they owned the booty upon securing it (29), and their ownership of it did not cease due to their flight.
Section: If the disbelievers set fire to a ship containing Muslims, and it ignites, then whatever they believe is more likely to lead to their safety—whether remaining in their vessel or casting themselves into the water—the better course for them is to do that. If both matters are equal to them, Ahmad said: "He may do as he wishes (30)." Al-Awza'i said: "They are two deaths, so choose the easier of them." Abu al-Khattab said: There is another report that they must remain, because if they cast themselves into the water, their death is by their own action, whereas if they remain, their death is by the action of another (32).
1683 - Issue; He said: (And whoever hires himself out, after they have taken booty, to guard the booty,)
(28) In (M): "meeting the enemy". (29) In (B) and (M): "for its acquisition". (30) In (A): "made/did". (31) In the original: "that he". (32) In the original and (B): "he remained, his death is by the action of another."
