It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abi Awfa (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not wish to meet the enemy, and ask Allah for well-being, and know that Paradise is under the shade of swords." When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) would see the sun decline, he would wait a little while and then advance towards the enemy and would supplicate: "O Revealer of the Book, O Mover of the clouds, O Defeater of the confederates! Defeat them and grant us victory over them."

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do not wish to meet the enemy, for you do not know, perhaps you may be tested by them. Rather, say: O Allah! Protect us from them and keep their severity away from us. Then, when they come near you and raise their voices, remain firm on the ground and supplicate: O Allah! Our forelocks and theirs are in Your hand, You alone will kill them. When they overpower you, stand up before them and know that Paradise is under the shade of swords."

Hazrat Mujahid (may Allah have mercy on him) said: It used to be said that swords are the keys to Paradise.

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Do not wish to meet the enemy, and ask Allah for well-being. But if you are tested, then say: O Allah! You are our Lord and their Lord, our forelocks and their forelocks are in Your hand. Fight them for us, and grant us victory over them. Keep your gaze lowered, attack them with the blessing of Allah, and seek Paradise beneath the flashing swords."

Whenever the Prophet (peace be upon him) would stand for battle, he would supplicate: "O Allah! You are my arm, my helper; with Your help I fight, with Your help I attack."

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) liked that the encounter with the enemy should take place after the decline of the sun, when the winds blow.

When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) engaged in battle, he would fight from the break of dawn until sunrise, then he would pause until the sun declined, then after the decline he would resume fighting until the sun set.

When the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) intended to attack a town, he would say: "O Lord of the heavens and the One who casts shade over them, O Lord of the earth and the One who spreads it out! I ask You for the goodness of this town and the goodness that is within it, and I seek refuge in You from the evil of this town and the evil that is within it."

Hazrat Awn bin Abdullah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Whoever reaches a town and supplicates, "O Allah! Grant me the love of their good people and protect me from their evil people," then it is hoped that his supplication will be accepted.

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abi Awfa (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) supplicated against the confederates: "O Revealer of the Book, O Swift in reckoning! O Allah! Defeat them and shake them."