Al-Anfal 8:16

<h2>Fleeing from Battle is prohibited, and its Punishment</h2><p>Allah said, while warning against fleeing from the battlefield and threatening those who do it with the Fire,</p><p>يَـأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ إِذَا لَقِيتُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ زَحْفاً</p><p>(O you who believe! When you meet those who disbelieve, in a battlefield,) when you get near the enemy and march towards them,</p><p>فَلاَ تُوَلُّوهُمُ الأَدْبَارَ</p><p>(never turn your backs to them.) do not run away from battle and leave your fellow Muslims behind,</p><p>وَمَن يُوَلِّهِمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ دُبُرَهُ إِلاَّ مُتَحَرِّفاً لِّقِتَالٍ</p><p>(And whoever turns his back to them on such a day -- unless it be a stratagem of war...)</p><p>The Ayah says, whoever flees from the enemy by way of planning to pretend that he is afraid of the enemy, so that they follow him and he takes the chance and returns to kill the enemy, then there is no sin on him. This is the explanation of Sa`id bin Jubayr and As-Suddi. Ad-Dahhak also commented, "Whoever went ahead of his fellow Muslims to investigate the strength of the enemy and make use of it,</p><p>أَوْ مُتَحَيِّزاً إِلَى فِئَةٍ</p><p>(or to retreat to a troop (of his own)), meaning he leaves from here to another troop of Muslims to assist them or be assisted by …

Whoso on that day turneth his back to them, unless manoeuvring for battle or intent to join a company, he truly hath incurred wrath from Allah, and his habitation will be hell, a hapless journey's end.

If any do turn his back to them on such a day - unless it be in a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own)- he draws on himself the wrath of Allah, and his abode is Hell,- an evil refuge (indeed)!

And whoever turns his back to them on such a day - unless it be a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own), - he indeed has drawn upon himself wrath from Allah. And his abode is Hell, and worst indeed is that destination!

Anyone who turns his back on them on that Day, except while maneuvering for battle, or to join another group, has incurred wrath from God, and his abode is Hell—what a miserable destination!