What is the ruling on fleeing from the enemy due to the abundance of their numbers and equipment?
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Question:
Regarding the case where Muslims meet disbelievers in jihad in the ranks, and the Muslims know that the disbelievers are more numerous in numbers and equipment, and they retreat, is this considered fleeing?
Answer:
If they are more than twice their number, there is no harm. However, if they are twice their number or less, they are not permitted to retreat; they must be patient.[Al-Anfal 8:66] If they are twice their number, it is obligatory to be patient. If they are more than twice their number, meaning three times or more, it is permissible for them to withdraw and delay.
Regarding the case where Muslims meet disbelievers in jihad in the ranks, and the Muslims know that the disbelievers are more numerous in numbers and equipment, and they retreat, is this considered fleeing?
Answer:
If they are more than twice their number, there is no harm. However, if they are twice their number or less, they are not permitted to retreat; they must be patient.
Now, Allah has lightened [the hardship] for you, and He knows that among you is weakness. So if there are from you one hundred [who are] steadfast, they will overcome two hundred. And if there are among you a thousand, they will overcome two thousand by permission of Allah. And Allah is with the steadfast.
الآنَ خَفَّفَ اللَّهُ عَنكُمْ وَعَلِمَ أَنَّ فِيكُمْ ضَعْفًا فَإِنْ يَكُنْ مِنْكُمْ مِائَةٌ صَابِرَةٌ يَغْلِبُوا مِائَتَيْنِ وَإِنْ يَكُنْ مِنْكُمْ أَلْفٌ يَغْلِبُوا أَلْفَيْنِ بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ مَعَ الصَّابِرِينَ
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.