It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) said: Do not desire an encounter with the enemy; but when you encounter them, be firm.

It is narrated by Abu Nadr that he learnt from a letter sent by a man from the Aslam tribe, who was a Companion of the Holy Prophet ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) and whose name was 'Abdullah bin Abu Aufa, to 'Umar bin 'Ubaidullah when the latter marched upon Haruriyya (Khawarij) informing him that the Messenger of Allah ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) in one of those days when he was confronting the enemy waited until the sun had declined. Then he stood up (to address the people) and said: O ye men, do not wish for an encounter with the enemy. Pray to Allah to grant you security; (but) when you have to encounter them exercise patience, and you should know that Paradise is under the shadows of the swords. Then the Messenger of Allah ( صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) stood up (again) and said: O Allah. Revealer of the Book, Disperser of the clouds, Defeater of the hordes, put our enemy to rout and help us against them.