Hazrat ‘Ali (as) writes to his brave commander...

Hazrat ‘Ali (as) writes to his brave commander, Malik al-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.[^5] امرأه لا و صبیاً لا و فانیاً شیخاً تقتلوا لا “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.” الیها تضطروا ان الا شجراً تقطعوا لا و “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) 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 Muslim soldiers and host of Qur’an. In this case, there is no problem for cutting them as much as necessary. The further instructions of Prophet (S) clearly indicate Islamic clemency, benevolence and mercy in the battle field.

Pay attention: المشرکین من احد الی نظر افضلهم او المسلمین ادنی من رجل ایما و مأمنه فابلغوه ابی ان و الدین فی فاخوکم تبعکم فان الله کلام یسمع حتی جار فهو “When one from the Muslim 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 Muslim like you, and would have the same rights Muslim 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) orders his soldiers to seek help from God for observance of these rules. Does the world claiming for observance of human rights and philanthropic mottos observe any of such rules? In the conflict between Israel and Palestine, these rules are never observed.