Mishkat al-Masabih

Umm Haram reported the Prophet as saying, “He who becomes sick on a stormy sea will have the reward of a martyr, and he who is drowned will have the reward of two martyrs.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Abu Malik al-Ash‘ari told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “He who goes forth in God’s path and dies, or is killed, or has his neck broken through being thrown by his horse or his camel, or is stung by a poisonous creature, or dies on his bed by any kind of death God wishes is a martyr and will go to paradise.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Returning home is like going on an expedition.”* * This is interpreted as referring to rewards. Returning after an expedition means that an opportunity is given for rest and refreshment before beginning another, so it merits reward similar to that for setting out. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

He reported God's Messenger as saying, “The fighter gets his reward, and the one who equips him gets his own reward and that of the fighter.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Abu Ayyub told that he heard the Prophet say, “Capitals will be conquered at your hands and you will have to raise companies in large armies. A man will be unwilling to join a company, so he will escape from his people and go round the tribes offering himself to them, seeking someone whose place he may take in such and such an expedition.* That man is a hireling to the last drop of his blood.” * This is the type of person who dislikes being sent on a warlike expedition, but who is quite willing to take someone else’s place if he is paid for it. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

God’s Messenger announced an expedition, and as I was a very old man who had no servant I sought a hireling who would serve instead of me. I found a man to whom I offered three dinars, and when some booty arrived I wanted to give him his portion, so I went to the Prophet and mentioned the matter to him, but he said, “All I can find for him regarding this expedition of his in this world and the next is the three dinars which were offered him." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Abu Huraira told that a man said, “Messenger of God, a man wishes to take part in jihad in God’s path desiring some worldly advantage." The Prophet replied, “He will have no reward." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Mu'adh reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Fighting is of two kinds. The one who seeks God’s favour, obeys the leader, gives property he values, helps his associate and avoids doing mischief will have a reward for all the time he is asleep and awake, but the one who fights in a boasting spirit, for the sake of display and to gain a reputation, who disobeys the leader and does mischief in the earth will not return without credit or blame.’’* * i.e. the wrong he has done exceeds the good. Malik, Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

'Abdallah b. ‘Amr told that he asked God’s Messenger to tell him about jihad and he replied, “If you fight with endurance, ‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr, seeking from God your reward, God will resurrect you showing endurance and seeking your reward from Him, but if you fight for vain show seeking to acquire much God will resurrect you making a vain show and seeking to acquire much. In whatever state you fight or are killed, ‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr, in that state God will resurrect you." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Uqba b. Malik reported the Prophet as saying, “When I send out a man and he does not fulfil my command, are you unable to appoint in his place one who will fulfil my command?" Abu Dawud transmitted it.

We went out with God’s Messenger on an expedition and when a man came upon a cave containing some water and vegetables he felt inclined to stay in it and withdraw from the world, so he asked God’s Messenger’s permission regarding that, but he replied, “I was not commissioned with Judaism, or Christianity, but with the easy Hanif religion. By Him in whose hand Muhammad's soul is, a morning or an evening expedition in God’s path is better than the world and what it contains, and for one of you to remain in the line of battle is better than his prayers for sixty years.” Ahmad transmitted it.

‘Ubada b. as-Samit reported God’s Messenger as saying, “He who fights in God’s path with no intention but getting a tethering rope will have what he intended.”* * This saying advocates the necessity of having proper motives. If all one wants is some material gain that is all he will get, for he will not deserve any eternal reward. Nasa’i transmitted it.

Abu Sa'id reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If anyone is pleased with God as Lord, with Islam as religion and with Muhammad as Messenger, paradise will be assured to him.” Abu Sa'id was delighted with this and asked him to repeat it. He did so and then said, “There is also something else for which God will raise a servant in paradise a hundred degrees between each two of which there is a distance like that between heaven and earth.” He asked God's Messenger what it was and he replied, “jihad in God's path; jihad in God’s path; jihad in God’s path.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Musa reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The gates of paradise are under the shadow of the swords.” A man with a ragged appearance got up and asked Abu Musa whether he had heard God's Messenger say that; and when he received the reply that he had, he returned to his companions, said, “I salute you,” then broke the scabbard of his sword and threw it away, then went towards the enemy with his sword and plied it till he was killed. Muslim transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s Messenger as saying to his companions, “When your brethren were smitten at the battle of Uhud God put their spirits in the crops of green birds which go down to the rivers of paradise, eat its fruits and nestle in lamps of gold in the shade of the Throne. Then when they experienced the sweetness of their food, drink and rest they asked who would tell their brethren about them that they were alive in paradise in order that they might not cease to desire paradise or recoil in war. God most high said He would tell them about them, so He sent down, ‘And do not consider those who have been killed in God’s path to be dead; nay, they are alive in the presence of their Lord and are being supplied with provision . ..” (Al-Qur’an; 3:169 ff.) Abu Dawud transmitted it.

those who believe in God and His Messenger and do not doubt, but strive with their property and their persons in God’s path; the man whom people trust with their property and their persons; then the man who, when he is about to display greed, abandons it for the sake of God who is great and glorious.” Ahmad transmitted it.

‘Abd ar-Rahman b. Abu ‘Amira* reported God’s Messenger as saying, “No Muslim soul which God takes wants to return to you and have the world and what it contains except the martyr.” Ibn Abu ‘Amira told that God’s Messenger said, “That I should be slain in God’s path is dearer to me than to possess the nomads and the townsmen.” * On p. 725 the name appears as 'Abd ar-Rahman b. Abu ‘Amra al-Ansari. Ibn 'Abd al-Barr, Isti'ab, p 395 treats the two as one man, quoting al-Walid b. Muslim to the effect that he was ‘Abd ar-Rahman b. 'Amra or 'Amira al-Muzani, but in the heading of the section he gives the name as 'Abd ar-Rahman b. Abu 'Amira. He says he has been reputed to have been a companion of the Prophet, but that this is not correct. He was a Syrian. Nasa’i transmitted it.

Hasna’ daughter of Mu'awiya said her paternal uncle told her he had asked the Prophet who were in paradise, and he replied, “Prophets are in paradise, martyrs are in paradise, infants are in paradise, and children buried alive are in paradise.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Ali, Abud Darda’, Abu Huraira, Abu Umama, ‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar, ‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr, Jabir b. ‘Abdallah and ‘Imran b. Husain all reported God’s Messenger as saying, "He who sends a contribution towards God’s path and stays in his house will have seven hundred dirhams for every dirham he contributes, but he who fights in person and contributes towards that expedition of his will have seven hundred thousand dirhams for every dirham he contributes.” Then he recited this verse, "And God multiplies to whom He will.” (Al-Qur’an; 2:261) Ibn Majah transmitted it.

(1) a believing man whose faith is good who meets the enemy and is sincere towards God till he is killed, and that is the one to whom men will raise their eyes on the day of resurrection thus (raising his head till his cap fell off, but I do not know whether he meant ‘Umar’s cap or the Prophet’s cap); (2) a believing man whose faith is good, who meets the enemy and appears as if his skin had been torn by acacia thorns through cowardice, and then is killed by a random arrow, he being in the second class; (3) a believing man who mingles a good deed with another which is bad who meets the enemy and is sincere towards God till he is killed, that one being in the third class; (4) a believing man who has been dissipated who meets the enemy and is sincere towards God till he is killed, that one being in the fourth class.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is hasan gharib tradition.

(1) a believer who strives with his property and person in God’s path and when he meets the enemy fights till he is killed. (Of him the Prophet said that that martyr who has suffered trial is in God's tent under- His Throne and is not excelled by the prophets except in the degree of the prophetic office.) (2) A believer who mingles a good deed with another which is evil, who fights with his person and property in God’s path, fighting till he is killed when he meets the enemy. (Of him the Prophet said that it is a cleansing agent which has obliterated his sins and his errors, for the sword obliterates errors, and he will be introduced by whichever of the gates of paradise he wishes.) (3) A hypocrite who strives with his person and property, and when he meets the enemy fights till he is killed; but that one will go to hell, for the sword does not obliterate hypocrisy.” Darimi transmitted it.

Ibn ‘A’idh told that God’s Messenger went out to a man’s funeral, and when he was laid down ‘Umar b. al-Khattab said, "Do not pray over him, Messenger of God, for he was a wicked man. Thereupon God’s Messenger turned to the people and asked whether any of them has seen him engaged in anything which indicated that he was a Muslim, and when a man replied, "Yes, Messenger of God, he acted as guard one night in God's path,” he prayed over him, scattered dust over him, and then said, "Your companions think you are one of those who go to hell, but I testify that you are one of those who go to paradise.” He then said, "You will not be questioned, ‘Umar, about what people have done, but you will be questioned about the true religion.”* * This is taken to mean that he will not be questioned about acts of disobedience, but about indication that one is a Muslim. Baihaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-lman.

‘Uqba b. ‘Amir told that he heard God's Messenger say when he was on the pulpit, “Prepare for them as much strength as you can. Strength is shooting; strength is shooting; strength is shooting.” Muslim transmitted it.

He told that he heard God's Messenger say, “The Byzantines will be defeated at your hands and God will defend you, but let none of you be so careless as not to employ his arrows.”* * i.e. they must not neglect to practise archery. The idea is that although God defends them, this does not absolve them from effort. Muslim transmitted it.

He told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “If anyone knows how to shoot and gives it up he does not belong to us,” or, “he has been disobedient.” Muslim transmitted it.

Salama b. al-Akwa‘ told that God’s Messenger went out to some people of Aslam who were having a shooting match in the suq* and said, “Shoot, sons of Ishmael, for your ancestor was an archer. I am supporting the B. so and so,” referring to one of the two parties. They then stopped, and when he asked what was the matter, they replied, “How can we shoot when you are supporting the B. so and so?” He said, “Shoot; I am supporting you all.” * Different explanations are given. It may be in the market-place (suq). Mirqat, iv, 202 is inclined to understand suq as the plural of saq (leg) and interpret it as meaning that they were on their feet, not riding camels. It has even been said that the reading is as-Sauq and that this is the name of a place; but I can find no reference to any such place. This all goes to show how difficult interpreters can make a passage seem when they let their imagination loose. Bukhari transmitted it.

Anas told that Abu Talha and the Prophet were both using one shield. Abu Talha was a good archer, and when he shot the Prophet looked over and watched where his arrows went. Bukhari transmitted it.

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Blessing rests on the forelocks of the horses.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Jarir b. ‘Abdallah told that he saw God’s Messenger twisting his finger in a horse’s forelock and saying, "The horses have good tied in their forelocks till the day of resurrection, i.e. reward and spoil.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, "If anyone reserves a horse in God’s path with faith in God and belief in His promise, its food, drink, dung and urine will be in his scale on the day of resurrection.” Bukhari transmitted it.

He said that God’s Messenger disliked horses with shikal, which means a horse having a white mark on its right hind leg and left foreleg, or on its right foreleg and left hind leg. Muslim transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar told that God’s Messenger held race between the horses which had been made lean by training from al-Hafya’ to Thaniyat al-Wada’, a distance of six miles, and he held a race between the horses which had not undergone such training from the thaniya* to the mosque of the B. Zuraiq, a distance of a mile. * Thaniya is a mountain pass. Thaniyat al-Wada' is a pass overlooking Medina by which people went on the road to Mecca. (Bukhari and Muslim)

Anas told that God’s Messenger had a she-camel called al-‘Adba' which had not been outstripped by any other, but a nomadic Arab came on a young riding camel of his and it outstripped it. That distressed the Muslims, but God’s Messenger said, "It is God’s right that nothing should become exalted in the world without His lowering it.” Bukhari transmitted it.

the maker when he has a good motive in making it, the one who shoots it, and the one who hands it; so shoot and ride, but your shooting is more appreciated by me than your riding. Everything with which a man amuses himself is vain, except his shooting with his bow, his training of his horse, and his playing with his wife, for they pertain to what is right.” Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, and Abu Dawud and Darimi added, “If anyone abandons archery after becoming an adept through distaste for it, it is a blessing he has abandoned," or he said “for which he has been ungrateful."

Abu Najih as-Sulami told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “He who causes an arrow to hit its mark in God’s path will have it count as a degree for him in paradise, if anyone shoots an arrow in God’s path it is equivalent to his setting someone free, and if anyone develops a grey hair on behalf of Islam it will be a light for him on the day of resurrection." Baihaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-iman. Abu Dawud transmitted the first section, Nasa’i the first and second, and Tirmidhi the second and third. The version of Nasa’i and Tirmidhi has, “If anyone develops a grey hair in God’s path,” instead of “on behalf of Islam."

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Wagers are allowed only for shooting arrows, or racing camels or horses.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

He reported God's Messenger as saying, “If one enters a horse with two others there is no good in it if he is certain it cannot be beaten, but there is no harm if he is not." It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna. In Abu Dawud’s version he said, “If one enters a horse with two others when he is not certain that it cannot be beaten, it is not gambling; but when one enters a horse with two others when he is certain it cannot be beaten, it is gambling."

‘Imran b. Husain reported God’s Messenger as saying, “There must be no shouting or leading another horse at one’s side."* Yahya added in his tradition, “when racing for a wager." * There must be no shouting to urge one’s horse on, and one must not take a horse alongside him to which he may transfer if he is afraid his horse may be beaten. Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it, and Tirmidhi transmitted it with an addition in the section on seizing forcibly.

Abu Qatada reported the Prophet as saying, “The best type of horse is the black one with a blaze on its face and a white spot on its upper lip* next comes the horse with a blaze on its face and white on the legs, except on a right one. If it is not black, then a dark bay horse with those markings.” * Artham. This may mean either that it has a white spot on its upper lip, or on the point of its nose. Tirmidhi and Darimi transmitted it.

Abu Wahb al-Jushami reported God’s Messenger as saying, ‘‘Keep to every dark bay horse with a white blaze and white on the legs, or sorrel with a white blaze and white on the legs, or black with a white blaze and white on the legs.” Aba Dawud and Nasa'i transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God's Messenger as saying, “The most favored horses are the sorrel.” Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Utba b. ‘Abd as-Sulami told that he heard God’s Messenger say, “Do not cut the forelocks, manes, or tails of horses, for their tails are their means of driving off flies, their manes provide them with warmth, and blessing is tied to their forelocks.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Aba Wahb al-Jushami reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Tie the horses, rub down their forelocks and rumps (or he said, their buttocks), and put things on their necks, but do not put bowstrings.”* * The reason for this is that bowstrings may injure them. Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

God’s Messenger was a servant under command who applied to us* only three things which he did not apply to the people in general. He ordered us to perform ablution fully, not to consume sadaqa, and not to make an ass cover a mare. * He means the members of the Prophet’s family. Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted it.

‘Ali told that God's Messenger was presented with a she-mule which he rode, so ‘Ali said, “If we made asses cover mares we would have animals of this type,” to which God’s Messenger replied, “Only those who do not know do that.” Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

Anas said the pommel of God's Messenger’s sword was of silver. Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa'i and Darimi transmitted it.

Hud b, ‘Abdallah b. Sa'd quoted his grandfather Mazida* as saying that on the day of the Conquest of Mecca God’s Messenger entered with gold and silver on his sword. *i.e. on his mother’s side. Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition.

As-Sa’ib b. Yazid told that the Prophet wore two coats of mail at the battle of Uhud as a double protection. Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas said that the Prophet’s standard1 was black and his banner2 white. 1. Raya. 2. Liwa’. The standard was larger than the banner. Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Musa b. ‘Ubaida, client of Muhammad b. al-Qasim, told that Muhammad b. al-Qasim sent him to al-Bara’ b. ‘Azib to ask him about God’s Messenger’s standard, and he said it was black and square, being made of a woollen rug. Ahmad, Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.