Mishkat al-Masabih

Jabir said that when the Prophet entered Mecca his banner was white. Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Anas said that, after women, nothing was dearer to God's Messenger than horses. Nasa’i transmitted it.

‘Ali told that God’s Messenger had in his hand an Arab bow, and on seeing a man with a Persian bow in his hand he said, “What is this? Throw it away. Keep* to this and such like, and to spears with shafts, for God will help you to support the religion with them and establish you in the land.” * This verb is in the plural, indicating that, after the man is told to throw away the bow he is carrying, a general command is given to the people. Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Ka'b b. Malik said that the Prophet set out on a Thursday in the expedition to Tabuk and that he used to like to set out on a Thursday. Bukhari transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If people knew what I know about the dangers of being alone, no rider would travel alone at night." Bukhari transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The angels do not go along with a travelling company in which there is a dog or a bell." Muslim transmitted it.

He reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The bell is the devil’s pipes.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Bashir al-Ansari told that when he was with God's Messenger on one of his journeys God’s Messenger sent one to say, “No necklace of bowstring or anything else must be left on a camel’s neck, but must be cut off.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When you travel in fertile country give the camels their due from the ground, and when you travel in time of drought make them go quickly. When you encamp at night keep away from the roads, for they are where the beasts pass and are the resort of insects at night." A version has, “When you travel in time of drought hasten with them while they have their marrow." Muslim transmitted it.

While we were on a journey with God’s Messenger a man came on a riding beast and began to turn right and left,* whereupon God’s Messenger said, “He who has an extra mount should lend it to him who has none, and he who has extra provision should give it to him who has none.” He said that he mentioned various kinds of property till they began to think none of them had a right to anything extra. * The camel was evidently tired, and the man seems to have been looking around to see whether he could get any help. Another suggestion is that the man was walking with his goods loaded on the camel, but the wording hardly supports this. Cf. Mirqat, iv, 213 f. Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Travel is a piece of punishment which deprives a man of his sleep, food and drink; so when he accomplishes his purpose where he has gone he should hasten to his family.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

When God’s Messenger arrived after a journey he was met by the children of his household. Once when he arrived after a journey I was the first to meet him and he lifted me in front of him. Then one of Fatima’s two sons was brought along and he set him behind him, and we were brought into Medina, three on one beast. Muslim transmitted it.

Anas told that he and Abu Talha arrived with God’s Messenger who had Safiya riding behind him on his mount. Bukhari transmitted it.

He said that God’s Messenger did not come to his family during the night, but was accustomed to enter only in the morning or in the evening. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Jabir reported God’s Messenger as saying, “When one of you has been away from home for a long time he must not come to his family during the night.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He reported the Prophet as saying, “When you arrive during the night do not go in to your family till the woman whose husband has been away cleans herself and the dishevelled woman combs herself.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He told that when the Prophet came to Medina he slew a camel or a cow.* * There seems to be no certainty as to whether this refers to the arrival at the time of the Hijra, or whether the tradition means to indicate a general practice. It is said that the sunna requires one who returns from a journey to provide such entertainment as is within his means. If the use of "or” in the tradition does not indicate a doubt on the part of the transmitter as to which word is correct, but is a real alternative, this would justify the view that the tradition speaks of a practice of the Prophet. But the Arabic construction really suggests one occasion rather than any time the Prophet came back to Medina. Bukhari transmitted it.

Ka'b b. Malik said that the Prophet used to arrive from a journey only in the daytime during the forenoon, and that when he arrived he went first to the mosque where he prayed two rak'as, after which he sat in it and gave audience to the people. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

I was with the Prophet on a journey, and when we came to Medina he said to me, "Enter the mosque and pray two rak'as in it." Bukhari transmitted it.

Sakhr b. Wada'a al-Ghamidi reported God’s Messenger as saying, "O God, bless my people in their early morning.” When he sent out a detachment or an army he sent them at the beginning of the day. Sakhr was a merchant, and he would send off his merchandise at the beginning of the day; and he became rich and had much wealth. Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Darimi transmitted it.

Anas reported God’s Messenger as saying, "Keep to travelling by night, for the earth is traversed * by night.” *Literally ‘the earth is folded up.' The idea is that at night the journey seems shorter. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Amr b. Shu'aib, on his father’s authority, told that his grandfather reported God's Messenger as saying, "A single rider is a devil and a pair of riders are a pair of devils, but three are a company of riders.” Malik, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported God’s Messenger as saying, "When three are on a journey they should appoint one of them as their commander.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported the Prophet as saying, "The best number of companions is four, the best number in expeditions four hundred, and the best number in armies four thousand; and twelve thousand will not be overcome through smallness of numbers." Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Darimi transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying this is a gharib tradition.

Jabir told that God’s Messenger used to keep to the rear when traveling and urge on the weak. He would take someone up behind him and would make supplication for them all. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Abu Tha'laba al-Khushani said that when the people encamped they scattered in the glens and wadis, but when God’s Messenger said, “Your scattering in these glens and wadis is only of the devil," they afterwards kept close together when they encamped to such an extent that it used to be said that if a cloth were spread over them it would cover them all. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

At the battle of Badr there was one camel to every three men of us. Abu Lubaba and ‘Ali b. Abu Talib were the travelling companions of God’s Messenger, and when his turn to dismount came they would offer to walk instead of him, but he would reply, “You are not stronger than I am, and I am not more able to dispense with the reward* than you are." * i.e. the reward in the next world for walking part of the way. It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna.

Abu Huraira reported the Prophet as saying, “Do not treat the backs of your beasts as pulpits, for God most high has made them subject to you only to convey you to a town which you could not reach without difficulty; and He has appointed the earth for you, so conduct your business on it." Abu Dawud transmitted it.

When we encamped we did not glorify God* till we had loosened the saddles. * This is explained as meaning to perform the salat. Cf. Mirqat, iv, 218. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Buraida told that while God’s Messenger was walking a man who had an ass came to him and, moving to the back of the animal, invited him to mount, but he said, “No; you have more right to ride in front on your animal unless you grant that right to me." The man replied that he did, and so he mounted. Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Sa'id b. Abu Hind told that Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “There are camels which belong to devils and houses which belong to devils." He1 said he had seen the devils’ camels; one goes out with fine she-camels which he has fattened, neither riding any of them nor giving a lift to a tired brother whom he meets, but he had not seen the devils' houses. Sa'id used to say he thought they were those cages which concealed people2 with brocade. 1. It is commonly held that this refers to Abu Huraira. 2. A various reading has ‘which people concealed’. The cages mean the litters on camels' backs. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

We went on an expedition with the Prophet and the people occupied so much space that they encroached on the road,* so God’s Prophet sent a man to announce among the people, “Those who occupy much space or encroach on the road will not be credited with jihad.” * This refers to times when they were encamping. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Jabir reported the Prophet as saying, “The best time for a man to go in to his family on returning from a journey is at the beginning of the night.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Abu Qatada told that when God's Messenger encamped at night on a journey he lay down on his right side, and when he encamped a little before morning he raised his forearm and placed his head on the palm of his hand. Muslim transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas told that the Prophet sent ‘Abdallah b. Rawaha with a detachment and that happened to be on a Friday. His companions set off in the morning, but he decided to stay behind and catch up on them after saying the prayer along with God’s Messenger. When he did so he saw him and asked him what had prevented him from going out in the morning with his companions. He replied, “I wanted to pray along with you and then catch up with them,” whereupon he said, “If you were to contribute all the earth contains you would not attain to the excellence of their going out in the morning.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The angels do not go with a travelling company in which there is a panther skin.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Sahl b. Sa'd reported God’s Messenger as saying, “The lord of the people on a journey is their servant,* and he who precedes them in service will not be preceded by them on account of any deed but martyrdom.” * This is said to mean either that the leader must look after the interests of his followers, or that even the humblest member who serves the others is rewarded by God as if he were the dealer. Baihaqi transmitted it in Shu'ab al-iman.

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. From Muhammad, God’s servant and Messenger, to Hiraql1 chief of the Byzantines. Peace be to those who follow the guidance. To proceed: I send you the summons to accept Islam (bi da'iyat al-islam). If you accept Islam you will be safe, and if you accept Islam God will bring you your reward twofold; but if you turn away you will be guilty of the sin of your followers (al-arisiyin).2 “0 people of the Book, come to a word which is common between us and you, that we should worship only God, not attribute any partner to Him, or take one another as lords apart from God. But if they turn away say, Testify that we are Muslims."3 1. Heraclius. 2. Arisi means a tiller of the soil, but is here used as a general reference to the common people who will follow his example. 3. Al-Qur’an; 3:64. (Bukhari and Muslim.) A version by Muslim has “From Muhammad God’s Messenger," “the sin of al-yarisiyin” and bi-di'ayat al-islam.

He told that God’s Messenger sent his letter to Kisra with ‘Abdallah b. Hudhafa as-Sahmi, ordering him to hand it to the governor of al- Bahrain. The governor of al-Bahrain conveyed it to Kisra, and when he read it he tore it up. Ibn al-Musayyib said that God’s Messenger then invoked a curse on them to the effect that they might be torn into little pieces. Bukhari transmitted it.

Anas told that the Prophet wrote to Kisra, Qaisar, the Najashi, and every powerful man, summoning them to God, but it was not the Najashi on whom the Prophet invoked a blessing.* * It says that the Najashi (Negus) of Abyssinia to whom this letter was sent was not the same as the one who ruled at the time when the early emigration from Mecca to Abyssinia took place. Muslim transmitted it.

Sulaiman b. Buraida told on his father’s authority that when God’s Messenger appointed a commander over an army or a detachment he instructed him to fear God himself and consider the welfare of the Muslims who were with him. He then said, “Go forth in God’s name in God’s path and fight with those who disbelieve in God. Go forth and do not be unfaithful regarding booty, or treacherous, or mutilate anyone, or kill a child. When you meet the polytheists who are your enemy summon them to three things, and accept whichever of them they are willing to agree to, and refrain from them. Then* summon them to Islam, and if they agree accept it from them and refrain from them. Then summon them to leave their abodes and transfer to the abode of the Emigrants, and tell them that if they do so they will have the same rights and responsibilities as the Emigrants; but if they refuse to transfer from them tell them they will be like the desert Arabs who are Muslims, subject to God’s jurisdiction which applies to the believers, but will have no spoil or booty unless they strive with the Muslims. If they refuse demand the jizya from them, and if they agree accept it from them and refrain from them; but if they refuse seek God’s help and fight with them. When you invest a fortress and its people wish you to grant them the protection of God and His prophet, grant them neither but grant them your protection and that of your companions, for it is less serious to break your guarantee of protection and that of your companions than to break that of God and His Messenger. If you invest a fortress and its people offer to capitulate and have the matter referred to God’s jurisdiction, do not grant this, but let them capitulate and have the matter referred to your jurisdiction, for you do not know whether or not you will hit on God’s jurisdiction regarding them.” * What follows gives in detail the three things mentioned above. Muslim transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. Abu Aufa told that at one of his battles in which God’s Messenger met the enemy he waited till the sun declined, then stood up among the people and said, “You people must not desire to meet the enemy, but must ask God for wellbeing, and when you meet them show endurance and know that paradise is under the shadows of the swords." He then said, “O God, who sendest down the Book, makest the clouds to travel and routest the confederates, rout them and give us victory over them.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

When the Prophet took us out on an expedition against a people he did not set out with us till the morning. He would look at them, and if he heard a call to prayer he refrained from them, but if he did not hear any he attacked them. We went out to Khaibar and reached them by night, but when the morning came and he heard no call to prayer he mounted. I mounted behind Abu Talha and my foot was touching God’s Prophet’s They came out to us with their large baskets and their spades, and when they saw the Prophet they said, “Muhammad, by God, Muhammad and the army," and went for refuge to the fortress. When God's Messenger saw them he said, “God is most great, God is most great. Khaibar has fallen.1 When we alight in the courtyard of a people it is an evil morning for those who have been warned."2 1. Or, 'May Khaibar fall. 2. Cf. Al-Qur'an; 37:177. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

An-Nu‘man b. Muqarrin said he was present at fighting along with God’s Messenger, and when he did not fight at the beginning of the day he waited till the winds blew and the time of prayer came. Bukhari transmitted it.

An-Nu‘man b. Muqarrin said he was present at fighting along with God’s Messenger, and when he did not fight at the beginning of the day he waited till the sun had passed the meridian, the winds blew and help came down. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

I went on an expedition with God's Messenger, and when dawn came he waited till the sun rose and when it rose he fought. Then when midday came he stopped till the sun passed the meridian and when it had done so he fought till the afternoon, when he stopped till he prayed the afternoon prayer, and then fought. Qatada told that it used to be said that the winds of victory blew at that time and the believers made supplication for their armies during their prayer. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

God’s Messenger sent us in a detachment and said, “When you see a mosque or hear a mu’adhdhin (The one who makes the call to prayer) do not kill anyone.” Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. From Khalid b. al-Walid to Rustum and Mih'an among the nobles of Persia. Peace be to those who follow the guidance. To proceed: We summon you to Islam, but if you refuse then pay the jizya in subjection feeling humbled (Cf. Al-Qur'an, 9:29). If you refuse to do that, I have with me people who love being killed in God’s path as the Persians love wine. Peace be to those who follow the guidance. It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna.

Jabir told that a man said to the Prophet at the battle of Uhud, “Tell me where I shall be if I am killed,” and that when he replied that he would be in paradise he threw away some dates he had in his hand and fought till he was killed. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

When God’s Messenger intended to go on an expedition he always pretended to be going somewhere else till that expedition, meaning the one to Tabuk. God’s Messenger undertook it in extreme heat, facing a long journey, desert country and a numerous enemy. He made clear to the Muslims what they were about to do in order that they might get ready the equipment for their expedition, telling them where he was going. Bukhari transmitted it.