It is narrated from a resident of Kufa that Sayyiduna Umar bin Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, wrote to an officer of the army: "I have received news that some people among you call out to a non-Arab disbeliever, and when he climbs the mountain and refrains from fighting, a person says to him: 'Do not be afraid,' then, after gaining control over him, kills him. By the One in Whose hand is my soul! If I come to know of anyone doing such a thing, I will have his neck struck."

Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, said: There is no consensus of the scholars on this hadith, nor is it acted upon.

Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy on him, was asked whether granting amnesty by gesture also holds the ruling of granting amnesty. He said: Yes, and in my opinion, it should be said to the people of the army that whomever you grant amnesty by gesture, then do not kill him, because gesture, in my view, is like saying it with the tongue. And it has reached me that Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them both, said: No people ever broke a covenant except that Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, imposed an enemy over them.