[Machine] Then, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prepared for war and carried out what Allah had commanded him of jihad against his enemies and fighting those who were ordered by him, among the polytheists of the Arabs. Al-Shafi'i said, "If the conditions of the enemy differ, some being more stubborn or more fearful than others, the Imam (leader) should start with the enemy who is most fearful or stubborn, even if his territory is farther, if Allah wills. And this should be considered a necessity." He also reported that the Prophet ﷺ heard about Harith ibn Abi Dirar gathering weapons, so the Prophet ﷺ became jealous and considered him an enemy closer than others.  

ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ تَهَيَّأَ لِلْحَرْبِ فَقَامَ فِيمَا أَمَرَ اللهُ ﷻ مِنْ جِهَادِ عَدُوِّهِ وَقِتَالِ مَنْ أَمَرَهُ بِهِ مِمَّنْ يَلِيهِ مِنْ مُشْرِكِي الْعَرَبِ قَالَ الشَّافِعِيُّ فَإِنِ اخْتَلَفَ حَالُ الْعَدُوِّ فَكَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَنْكَى مِنْ بَعْضٍ أَوْ أَخْوَفَ مِنْ بَعْضٍ فَلْيَبْدَأ الْإِمَامُ بِالْعَدُوِّ الْأَخْوَفِ أَوِ الْأَنْكَى وَإِنْ كَانَتْ دَارُهُ أَبْعَدَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللهُ وَتَكُونُ هَذِهِ بِمَنْزِلَةِ ضَرُورَةٍ قَالَ وَقَدْ بَلَغَ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ عَنِ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ أَبِي ضِرَارٍ أَنَّهُ يَجْمَعُ لَهُ فَأَغَارَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ عَلَيْهِ وَقُرْبَهُ عَدُوٌّ أَقْرَبُ مِنْهُ