Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Do not wish to encounter the enemy, but if fighting does begin, then be steadfast.

When Hazrat Umar bin Ubaidullah (may Allah be pleased with him) set out towards Haruriyyah to fight the Khawarij, he received a letter from Abdullah bin Abi Awfa (may Allah be pleased with him). In it, he had written that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) waited during a battle, and then when the sun had declined, he (peace and blessings be upon him) addressed the people, saying: O people! Do not wish to meet the enemy in battle, but rather ask Allah for safety. However, when battle becomes inevitable, then be patient and stand firm, and know that Paradise is under the shade of swords. Then he (peace and blessings be upon him) supplicated thus: O Allah! Revealer of the Book (Qur'an), O Mover of the clouds! O Defeater of the confederates (i.e., the groups of disbelievers at the Battle of the Trench)! Defeat our enemy and help us against them.