and regarding their small numbers, the enemy's hiding places, and their guile. Thus, it is appropriate that their affairs be referred to his judgment, because it is more cautious for the Muslims; unless it is impossible to seek his permission due to the enemy surprising them, in which case his permission is not required because the interest is determined to lie in fighting them and going out to them, because leaving them [to their own devices] would result in certain corruption. For this reason, when the disbelievers raided the milch-camels of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), and Salamah ibn al-Akwa' happened upon them while he was leaving Medina, he pursued them and fought them without permission. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) praised him and said: "The best of our footmen (6) is Salamah ibn al-Akwa'." And he gave him the share of both a horseman and a footman (7).
Section: Ahmad was asked about the Imam when he becomes angry at a man and says, "Leave, you shall not accompany me," then he calls for mobilization—does this serve as permission for him? He said: "No (8). He only intended (9) it for him specifically; therefore, he shall not accompany him until he gives him permission." He said: "And when the call is made for prayer and for mobilization, if the enemy is at a distance, and only an advance party of the enemy has arrived, they should pray and then mobilize towards them. And if they call for help and the enemy has [already] arrived, they should assist and defend, and pray while upon the backs of their mounts, signaling [the bowing and prostration]. In my view, providing aid is superior to congregational prayer, and for the one pursuing or being pursued in this situation, praying on the back of his mount while moving is superior, if Allah, the Exalted, wills. And if he hears the call to mobilize and the prayer has already commenced, he should pray, make it brief, complete the bowing and prostration, and recite short chapters." And there was someone who mobilized from the companions of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) while he was in a state of major ritual impurity (junub)—meaning the one washed by the angels, Hanzalah ibn al-Rahib (11). He said: "And he does not break off the prayer when he is..."
(5) In A: "falam" (so it did not). (6) In A: "rijaluna" (our men). (7) Recorded by Muslim, in: The Chapter of the Battle of Dhu Qard and others, from the Book of Jihad and Expeditions. Sahih Muslim 3/1432, 1439-1441. And Abu Dawud, in: The Chapter on the detachment that returns to the army, from the Book of Jihad. Sunan Abi Dawud 2/73, 74. And Imam Ahmad, in: Al-Musnad 4/52, 53. (8) In the original: "lahu" (for him). (9) In the original: "qasdahu" (he intended it). (10) In A: "fa-idha" (so if). (11) Its documentation was mentioned previously, in: 3/470. And it is added to it: Ibn Abi Shaybah, in: The Chapter on the Virtue of Hamzah ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib... from the Book of Virtues; and in: The Chapter on what Abu Bakr remembered at Uhud... from the Book of Military Expeditions. Al-Musannaf 12/107, 14/396.
