The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) never fought any people until he had first invited them (to Islam)

Explanation

Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) never began fighting any people until he had first invited them to Islam; if they did not respond to his call, then he fought them.

Lessons

• The requirement to invite people to Islam before engaging in combat, if Islam has not yet reached them.
• The Prophet (ﷺ) would invite people to Islam; if they refused, he would offer them the option of paying Jizyah (protection tax); if they refused that, he would fight them—as reported in other Hadīths.
• The wisdom behind Jihad is to bring people into Islam, not out of desire for their lives, wealth, or lands.