Minimum Criterion for Declaring Victory in Battle
According to these principles, the Wali (divinely‑appointed Leader) decides based on the circumstances and necessities of the battlefield.
The minimum condition for ceasing hostilities is expressed in Verse 22 of Surah Al‑Fat’h:
“And if those who disbelieve had fought you, they would surely have turned their backs.”
Meaning, if the enemy initiates the war, the divine law is that they will inevitably retreat. Therefore, every victory in battle does not necessarily mean the annihilation of the enemy; retreat is the lowest stage of ending a war.
However, the retreat must not be honorable or heroic, but rather come from weakness and humiliation. As stated in the Holy Quran:
“So do not lose heart and call for peace while you are superior.” (Verse 35 of Surah Muhammad)
This represents only the minimum threshold for ending a war; it must be complemented by other verses. For example, a treaty cannot be made with a treacherous people, and one must act to prevent any violation of agreements. If all such stages are fulfilled, the enemy can no longer slip away. As the Quran declares:
“They will find neither protector nor helper.”
That is, they will have no guardian to defend them completely, nor any ally to support them partially — just as many nations have refused cooperation with America and the Zionist regime.
Read More:
Thus, the stages of victory over falsehood are gradual, and at each stage, an appropriate objective must be defined — the discernment of which depends on the judgment of the Wali. God‑willing, in the final stage, as the Quran states, all sources of discord will be eliminated:
“Fight them until there is no more strife, and religion belongs wholly to Allah.” (Verse 39 of Surah Al‑Anfal)
