Ibn ʿUmar came to us and a man said (to him), "What do you think about 'Qit-alal-Fitnah' (fighting caused by afflictions)." Ibn ʿUmar said (to him), "And do you understand what an affliction is? Muhammad used to fight against the pagans, and his fighting with them was an affliction, (and his fighting was) not like your fighting which is carried on for the sake of ruling."
رَجُلٌ كَيْفَ تَرَى فِي قِتَالِ الْفِتْنَةِ فَقَالَ وَهَلْ تَدْرِي مَا الْفِتْنَةُ كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ ﷺ يُقَاتِلُ الْمُشْرِكِينَ وَكَانَ الدُّخُولُ عَلَيْهِمْ فِتْنَةً وَلَيْسَ كَقِتَالِكُمْ عَلَى الْمُلْكِ