Socio Political Thought Of Shah WaliAllah Rahmatullahi Alaihi

and the glory of Muslims. It was for the achievement of such objectives,
inter alia, that the Prophet (peace be upon him), was sent.
307. It is incumbent upon the irndnl to contemplate ways and means of enhancing
the glory of Muslims and eliminating the possibilities of any
aggression against them by the infidel forces. To that end, he should
exercise ijtihad and exert his mental energies. He should act as his
ijtihad guides him ir, the light of his own understanding, and in accordance
with the prscedents set by the Prophet (peace be upon him)
and the exemplary pattern of his successors, (may God be pleased
with themj. This is because the imam is installed for certain specific
objectives. These objectives cannot be achieved without pursuing the
policy that we have spelled out above. The basic guidance in this behalf
is to be discerned from the conduct of the Prophet (peace be
upon him) in times of war and peace.
308. To sum up the traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in this
regard, we have to say that it is necessary that the frontiers of the Islamic
realms are guarded by the armies to deter all those who might
be arrayed nearby. Also, there should be appointed over such armies
an individual who is brave, wise and sincere to Muslims. If the imam
deems it necessary, he should dig trenches or construct fortresses as
was done by the Prophet (peace be upon him). Also, when he (that is,
the imam) sends a detachment, he should appoint over it a commander
who is best of them or most useful for the interest of Muslims.
Further, he should counsel his commanders pious behaviour in their
private and public conduct as was done by the Prophet (peace be
upon him).
309. When a commander sets out to the operation of war, he ought to
assess the strength of his army and deploy his cavalry and fighting
men. He should not accept anyone in his ranks under fifteen years of
age as did the Prophet (peace be upon him)."'
310. Also, he should not accept anybody who prompts people to desert,
nor anyone who spreads rumours and through gossiping about enemy's
power, demoralizes the Muslin~s. This injunction is based on
the following verse of the Qur'an: "... God did not like their going
forth. So He withheld them and it was said: hold back with those who
hold back. Had they gone forth with you, they would have added to
you naught but tr~uble".~'"