The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) used to invite [people] to Islam before he would fight, until Allah manifested the religion and Islam became dominant. I do not know of anyone today who needs to be invited; the call has reached everyone. The call has reached the Romans, and they have learned what is desired of them. The call was only [necessary] in the early days of Islam, though if one does invite them, there is no harm. Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) raided the Banu al-Mustaliq while they were unaware and secure, and their livestock were being watered at the well, so he killed their combatants and took their offspring captive. Agreed upon (3). On the authority of al-Sa'b ibn Jaththamah, he said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) being asked about the settlements of the polytheists that are attacked by night, where some of their women and children are affected, and he said: "They are among them." Agreed upon (4). Salamah ibn al-Akwa' said: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) appointed Abu Bakr, and we raided some people from among the polytheists and attacked them by night. Reported by Abu Dawud (5). It is possible to consider the command for the call in the Hadith of Buraydah as one of desirability (istihbab), for it is desirable in all circumstances. It has been reported that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) ordered Ali when he gave him the banner on the day of Khaybar and sent him to fight them, to invite them, even though they were among those to whom the call had [already] reached (6). Reported by al-Bukhari (7). Khalid ibn al-Walid invited Tulayhah al-Asadi when he claimed prophethood, but he did not repent, so Allah gave him victory over him (8). Salman also invited the people of Persia (9). If this is established, then if it is...
(3) Reported by al-Bukhari, in: Chapter on one who owns slaves from the Arabs and gives them as a gift..., from the Book of Manumission. Sahih al-Bukhari 3/194. And Muslim, in: Chapter on the permissibility of raiding the disbelievers who have been reached by the call of Islam..., from the Book of Jihad and Military Expeditions. Sahih Muslim 3/1356. It was also reported by Abu Dawud, in: Chapter on inviting the polytheists, from the Book of Jihad. Sunan Abi Dawud 2/40. And Imam Ahmad, in: Al-Musnad 2/31, 32, 51.
(4) Reported by al-Bukhari, in: Chapter on the people of a settlement attacked by night, from the Book of Jihad. Sahih al-Bukhari 4/74. And Muslim, in: Chapter on the permissibility of killing women and children during a night attack without intent, from the Book of Jihad and Military Expeditions. Sahih Muslim 3/1364, 1365. It was also reported by Abu Dawud, in: Chapter on killing women, from the Book of Jihad. Sunan Abi Dawud 2/50. And al-Tirmidhi, in: Chapter on what was narrated regarding the prohibition of killing women and children, from the Chapters on Military Expeditions. Aridat al-Ahwadhi 7/65. And Ibn Majah, in: Chapter on the raid and night attack..., from the Book of Jihad. Sunan Ibn Majah 2/947. And Imam Ahmad, in: Al-Musnad 4/38.
(5) In: Chapter on the night attack, from the Book of Jihad. Sunan Abi Dawud 2/41. It was also reported by Ibn Majah, in: Chapter on the raid, night attack, and the killing of women and children, from the Book of Jihad. Sunan Ibn Majah 2/947.
(6) In M: "balaghat-hum".
(7) In: Chapter on the Expedition of Khaybar, from the Book of Military Expeditions. Sahih al-Bukhari 5/171.
(8) See: What was reported by al-Bayhaqi, in: Chapter on one who says regarding the apostate: he is to be asked to repent on the spot, from the Book of the Apostate, Al-Sunan al-Kubra 8/206.
(9) Reported by Ibn Abi Shaybah, in: Chapter on inviting the polytheists before fighting them, from the Book of Jihad. Al-Musannaf 12/361.
