Surah At-Taubah, Ayat 90

Ayat 90. And those who made excuses from the Bedouins came (to you, O Prophet  [SAWW](PBUH) asking your permission to exempt them (from the battle), and those who had lied to Allah and His Messenger  [SAWW](PBUH) sat at home (without asking the permission for it); a painful torment will seize those of them who disbelieve. 


Hazrat Abdullah bin Abu Aufa (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: On one occasion the Messenger of Allah [SAWW](PBUH) was confronting the enemy. He waited until the sun had declined. Then he stood up to address the people and said, "O people! Do not wish for an encounter with the enemy. Pray to Allah to grant you safety; (but) when you encounter them, show patience, and know that Jannah is under the shades of the swords.'' Then he [SAWW](PBUH) said: "Allahumma munzilal-kitab, wa mujriyas-sahab, wa hazimal-Ahzab, ihzimhum wansurna alaihim (O Allah, Revealer of the Book, Disperser of the clouds, Defeater of the Confederates, put our enemy to rout and support us against them).''

[Al-Bukhari Hadith # and Muslim Hadith # 3024]. 

Lesson : as mentioned above in Surah At-Taubah Ayat 90 "asking your permission to exempt them (from the battle), and those who had lied to Allah and His Messenger"  1. We learn from this Hadith that it is better to start war in the afternoon because this was the practice of the Prophet (PBUH). 2. The desire for war is prohibited, but when war becomes inevitable, one should not show his back to the enemy; rather, one should fight to the best of his ability and be steadfast in it. 3. Along with steadfastness and patience in fighting, one should also pray for victory because all powers lie with Allah and no one can gain victory without His Will. The Hadith also mentions a supplication which one should make when he encounters the enemy.