Surah Al-Anfaal
Chapter 8 · Verse 15 · Revealed in Madinah
“O you who have believed, when you meet those who disbelieve advancing [for battle], do not turn to them your backs [in flight].”
Translation: Saheeh International
Listen to recitation
Mishary Rashid Alafasy
Reflection — Ibn Kathir
Fleeing from Battle is prohibited, and its Punishment
Allah said, while warning against fleeing from the battlefield and threatening those who do it with the Fire,
يَـأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ إِذَا لَقِيتُمُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ زَحْفاً
Reflection — Maarif ul Quran
Commentary
Out of the verses appearing above, the first two (15-16) tell us about a military law of Islam. The word: زحف (zahf) translated here literally as 'marching to battle' denotes the confrontation and intermingling between the two armies. The sense is that once a war is on, turning back and deserting the battlefield is not permissible for Muslims.
What does this verse bring up for you today?