>>16578682أَوْ مُتَحَيِّزاً إِلَى فِئَةٍ
(or to retreat to a troop), refers to "Those who retreat to the Messenger of Allah and his Companions (when the Messenger was alive), and those who retreat in the present time to his commander or companions." However, if one flees for any other reason than those mentioned here, then it is prohibited and considered a major sin. Al-Bukhari and Muslim recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,
«اِجْتَنِبُوا السَّبْعَ الْمُوبِقَات»
("Shun the seven great destructive sins.")
The people inquired, "O Allah's Messenger! What are they" He said,
«الشِّرْكُ بِاللهِ وَالسِّحْرُ وَقَتْلُ النَّفْسِ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَأَكْلُ الرِّبَا وَأَكْلُ مَالِ الْيَتِيمِ وَالتَّوَلِّي يَوْمَ الزَّحْفِ وَقَذْفُ الْمُحْصَنَاتِ الْغَافِلَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنَات»
((They are:) Joining others in worship with Allah, magic taking life which Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Islamic law), consuming Riba, consuming an orphan's wealth, fleeing the battlefield at the time of fighting, and false accusation to chaste women, who never even think of anything touching chastity and are good believers.)
This is why Allah said here,
فَقَدْ بَآءَ
(he indeed has drawn upon himself...), and returned with,
بِغَضَبٍ مِّنَ اللَّهِ وَمَأْوَاهُ
(wrath from Allah. And his abode...), destination, and dwelling place on the Day of Return,
جَهَنَّمُ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ
(is Hell, and worst indeed is that destination!)
