When the Prophet (ﷺ) intended to go on an expedition, he always pretended to be going somewhere else, and he would say: War is deception.
Abu Dawud said: Only Ma'mar has transmitted this tradition. By this he refers to his statement "War is deception" through this chain of narrators. He narrated it from the tradition of 'Amr b. Dinar from Jabir, and from the tradition of Ma'mar from Hammam b. Munabbih on the authority of Abu Hurairah.
Hadith Commentary: The Permissibility of Deception in War
This narration from Sunan Abi Dawud 2637 reveals a profound military principle established by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The practice of misleading enemies about military destinations falls under the Islamic legal concept of "al-harb khuda'" (war is deception), which scholars consider a legitimate stratagem in jihad.
Scholarly Analysis of Military Deception
Classical scholars like Imam Nawawi explained that such tactical deception is not only permissible but recommended in warfare, as it preserves Muslim lives and increases the likelihood of victory. This principle applies specifically to military contexts and does not justify deception in ordinary dealings between Muslims.
The chain of narration through both Jabir ibn Abdullah and Abu Hurairah (via Hammam ibn Munabbih) gives this hadith strong authenticity, despite Abu Dawud's note about Ma'mar being the primary transmitter. Multiple chains strengthen the ruling's reliability.
Legal Boundaries and Conditions
Scholars emphasize that this permission is strictly limited to wartime situations against combatants. It does not extend to breaking treaties, harming non-combatants, or using deception in peacetime transactions. The ultimate objective remains the establishment of justice and protection of Muslim lives.
This ruling demonstrates Islam's practical approach to warfare, balancing moral principles with necessary military tactics to ensure the protection of the Muslim community while maintaining ethical boundaries.