Narrated from Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that in one of the battles of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), a woman was found killed, so the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) condemned this and forbade the killing of women and children 1. Imam Tirmidhi says:
1- This hadith is Hasan Sahih,
2- In this chapter, ahadith have also been narrated from Buraidah, Rabah (he is also called Rabah bin Rabi’), Aswad bin Sari’, Ibn Abbas, and Sa’b bin Jathamah,
3- Some people of knowledge among the Companions and others have acted upon this; they consider the killing of women and children to be unlawful. This is also the saying of Sufyan Thawri and Shafi’i,
4- Some people of knowledge have allowed attacking them at night, and in that case, permitted the killing of women and children. This is the saying of Ahmad and Ishaq bin Rahwayh; both have allowed attacking at night.