Mishkat al-Masabih

Jabir reported God's Messenger as saying, “War is deception.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Anas told that when God’s Messenger went on an expedition he took Umm Sulaim, and he had some women of the Ansar who supplied water and tended the wounded when he made an expedition. Muslim transmitted it.

I went on seven expeditions with God's Messenger and stayed behind to look after the baggage, prepare food for them, tend the wounded and look after the sick. Muslim transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar said God’s Messenger forbade killing women and children. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

As-Sa‘b b. Jaththama told that God’s Messenger was asked about the polytheists whose settlements were attacked at night when some of their women and offspring were smitten, and replied that they were of their number. A version has it that they were regarded in the same way as their parents. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

The nobles of the B. Lu’ayy treated lightly a widely dispersed conflagration in al-Buwaira. Concerning that came down, “The palm-trees you cut down or left standing on their roots, it was by God’s permission” (Al-Quran 59:5). (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘Abdallah b. ‘Aun said that Nafi‘ wrote to tell him that Ibn ‘Umar informed him the Prophet made an attack on the B. al-Mustaliq attacking their camels in al-Muraisi‘.* He killed the fighting men and took the children captive. * Ibn Ishaq says this expedition took place in Sha'ban, 6 A.H., but this has been questioned, Muraisi’ was a watering-place belonging to the B. al-Mustaliq. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Usaid reported the Prophet as saying to them at the battle of Badr when they drew up in line to meet Quraish and they drew up in line to meet them, “When they come near you shoot arrows at them.” A version has, “When they come near you shoot at them, but do not use all your arrows.” Bukhari transmitted it.

‘Abd ar-Rahman b. ‘Auf told that at Badr the Prophet equipped hem at night for battle. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Al-Muhallab reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If the enemy attacks you at night let your war-cry be Ha’ Mim'. They will not be helped’.”* *These words may be taken from sura 41 which is one beginning with Ha Mim. The other words are in verse 16 of that sura. Cf. 44: 41. Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Samura b. Jundub said that the war-cry of the Emigrants was ‘Abdallah and that of the Helpers ‘Abd ar-Rahman. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

We went on an expedition with Abu Bakr in the time of the Prophet. We attacked the enemy by night and killed them, and our war-cry that night was “Put to death; put to death.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Qais b. ‘Ubad said that God’s Messenger’s companions disliked shouting while fighting. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Samura b. Jundub reported the Prophet as saying, “Kill the old men who are polytheists, but spare their sharkh i.e., their children. Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Urwa said Usama told him that God's Messenger enjoined him to attack Ubna in the morning and burn the place. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Abu Usaid reported God’s Messenger as saying at the battle of Badr, “When they come near you shoot at them, but do not draw your swords till they are close upon you.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

When we were with God’s Messenger on an expedition he saw some people collected together over something and sent a man whom he told to see what these people were collected around. When he came and told him they were round a woman who had been killed he said, “This is not one with whom fighting should have taken place.” Khalid b. al-Walid was in charge of the van, so he sent a man to tell him not to kill a woman or a hired servant. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Anas reported God's Messenger as saying, “Go in God’s name, trusting in God, and adhering to the religion of God’s Messenger. Do not kill a decrepit old man, or a young infant, or a woman; do not be dishonest about booty, but collect your spoils, do right and act well, for God loves those who do well.”* * Cf. Al-Qur’an; 2: 195; 5:13. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

At the battle of Badr 'Utba b. Rabi'a came forward followed by his son and his brother and cried out, “Who will engage in single combat?” Some young men of the Helpers responded to his call, but when he asked them who they were and they told him he said, “I have no use for you; I want only my cousins on my father’s side.” God’s Messenger then said, “Get up, Hamza; get up, ‘Ali; get up, ‘Ubaida b. al-Harith.” Hamza went forward to ‘Utba, I went forward to Shaiba, and after two blows had been exchanged between ‘Ubaida and al-Walid they wounded one another severely; so we turned against al-Walid, and when we had killed him we carried ‘Ubaida away. Ahmad and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

God’s Messenger sent us with a detachment and the people wheeled round in flight, so when we came to Medina we hid in it thinking that we had become corrupted.1 Then we went to God’s Messenger and told him we were those who had fled, but he replied, “No, you are the ones who return to fight after wheeling away, and I am your main body.”2 1. Literally “had perished.” They thought that they had committed a serious sin by turning in flight. 2. The word fi’a is here used. The suggestion is that to withdraw to join one’s unit stationed in the rear is not flying from the enemy. Cf. Al-Qur’an; 8:16. Tirmidhi transmitted it. Abu Dawud’s version has something similar. He said, “No, you are the ones who return to fight after wheeling away.” We then approached and kissed his hand, and he said, “I am the main body of the Muslims.”

Thauban b. Yazid told that the Prophet set up the ballista when attacking the people of at-Ta’if. Tirmidhi transmitted it in mursal form.

Abu Huraira reported the Prophet as saying, “God is charmed with people who will enter paradise in chains.”* A version has, “who will be led to paradise in chains.” *This is explained as meaning non-Muslims who are taken prisoner and accept Islam. Bukhari transmitted it.

A spy of the polytheists who came to the Prophet when he was on a journey sat and talked with his companions and afterwards withdrew. The Prophet then said, “Look for him and kill him,” so I killed him and the Prophet gave me the spoil taken from him. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

We went on an expedition with God’s Messenger against Hawazin, and while we were having a meal in the forenoon with God’s Messenger a man came on a red camel, and after he had made it kneel he began to look around. Now we were in a weak condition and in a poor way with regard to mounts, and some of us were on foot. He went out in a hurry and coming to his camel made it go and it went off quickly with him. I hastened out and catching the camel’s nose-rein I made it kneel, then drew my sword and struck the man on his head. I then brought the camel leading it with his saddle and weapons on it, and when God's Messenger and the people met me he asked who had killed the man. On their replying that it was the son of al-Akwa‘, he said, “He gets all his spoil.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

When the B. Quraiza surrendered agreeing to have their fate decided by Sa‘d b. Mu'adh God’s Messenger sent for him and he came on an ass. When he drew near God's Messenger said, “Rise up in respect to your chief.” Then when he had come and sat down God's Messenger said, “These people have surrendered agreeing that you should decide their fate,” so he said, “I decide that the fighting men be killed and that the offspring be taken into captivity.” He then declared, “You have given regarding them the decision of the King.” A version has, “God’s decision.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira told that God's Messenger sent some horsemen to Najd and they brought a man of the B. Hanifa called Thumama b. Uthal who was the chief of the people of al-Yamama and bound him to one of the pillars of the mosque. God’s Messenger came out to him and said, “What are you expecting, Thumama?” He replied, “I expect good, Muhammad. If you kill me you will kill one whose blood will be avenged, if you show favour you will show it to one who is grateful, and if you want property and ask you will be given as much of it as you wish.” God’s Messenger left him till the next day, and asked him, “What are you expecting, Thumama?” He replied, “I am expecting what I said to you. If you show favour you will show it to one who is grateful, if you kill me you will kill one whose blood will be avenged, and if you want property and ask you will be given as much of it as you wish.” God's Messenger left him till the following day, and asked him, “What are you expecting, Thumama?” He replied, “I am expecting what I said to you. If you show favour you will show it to one who is grateful, if you kill me you will kill one whose blood will be avenged, and if you want property and ask you will be given as much of it as you wish.” God’s Messenger then said, “Set Thumama free.” He went off to some palm-trees near the mosque, and after bathing he entered the mosque and said, “I testify that there is no god but God, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. I swear by God, Muhammad, that there was no face on the face of the earth more hateful to me than yours, but your face has become the dearest of all to me. I swear by God that there was no religion more hateful to me than yours, but your religion has become the dearest of all to me. I swear by God that there was no town more hateful to me than yours, but your town has become the dearest of all to me. Your cavalry seized me when I was on my way to perform the umra, so what do you think I should do? God’s Messenger congratulated him and told him to perform the umra. When he came to Mecca someone asked him whether he had turned to folly* and he replied, “No, but I have accepted Islam along with God’s Messenger. I swear by God that not one grain of wheat will come to you from al-Yamama till God’s Messenger gives permission for it.” *Sabaut. The verb saba has as one of its meanings to turn to folly. It has been suggested that here it is used in the sense of the verb saba’a which means to change one’s religion. Final Hamza verbs very often do drop the Hamza, but they more normally follow the pattern of final ya’ verbs rather than final waw when they do so. Muslim transmitted it, and Bukhari gave it more concisely.

Jubair b. Mut'im reported the Prophet as saying about the prisoners taken at Badr, “If al-Mut‘im b. ‘Adi* had been alive and spoken to me about these filthy ones, I would have left them for him.” * He was head of the B. Naufal. He agreed to give Muhammad protection after his return from at-Ta'if where he had gone after Abu Talib’s death. Al-Mut‘im died before the battle of Badr. He did not become a Muslim. Bukhari transmitted it.

Anas told that eighty Meccans came down armed from the mountain of at-Tan‘im against God’s Messenger intending to take him and his companions unawares, but he took them captive without fighting and spared them. A version says he set them free and God most high sent down, “He it is who averted their hands from you and your hands from them in the valley of Mecca” (Al-Qur’an; 48:24). Muslim transmitted it.

Qatada told that Anas b. Malik mentioned to him on the authority of Abu Talha that at the battle of Badr God’s prophet ordered twenty-four of the strong men of Quraish to be cast into one of the wells of Badr cased with stones which was corrupt and corrupting. When he prevailed over an enemy he stayed three nights on the field of battle; and when the third day came at Badr he ordered his riding-beast to be saddled. He then walked followed by his companions till he came to the mouth of the well, when he began to call them by their names and their fathers’ names, saying, “So and so son of so and so, so and so son of so and so, does it please you that you obeyed God and His Messenger? We have found what our Lord promised us to be true. Have you found what your Lord promised you to be true?” ‘Umar said, “Messenger of God, what you are addressing are only bodies without spirits.” The Prophet replied, “By Him in whose hand Muhammad's soul is, you cannot hear what I say better than they.” A version has, “You cannot hear better than they, but they cannot answer.” (Bukhari and Muslim.) Bukhari added that Qatada said God brought them to life and made them hear what he said by way of rebuke, humiliation, revenge, and to produce grief and repentance.

Your brethren have come repentant and I have considered that I should return their captives to them, so let those of you who are willing to release the captives act accordingly, but those who wish to hold on to what they have till I give them some of the first booty God gives us may do so.” The people told God’s Messenger that they were willing to release the captives, and he said, “I cannot distinguish between those of you who have granted that and those who have not, so return that your headmen may tell me about you.” They did so, and after their headmen had spoken to them they came back to God’s Messenger and told him they were agreeable and had given permission. Bukhari transmitted it.

Thaqif were allies of the B. ‘Uqail, so when Thaqif took two of God’s Messenger’s companions prisoner, his companions took prisoner a man of the B. ‘Uqail, bound him and threw him out on the lava plain. God’s Messenger passed him and he called to him, “Muhammad, Muhammad, for what have I been taken?” He replied, “For the crime of your allies Thaqif.” He then left him and passed on, but when he cried, “Muhammad, Muhammad,” God’s Messenger took pity on him and returned and asked him about himself. When he told him he was a Muslim he said, “If you had said it when you were your own master you would have been completely successful.”* Then God’s Messenger ransomed him for the two men Thaqif had taken prisoner. *This means that not only would he go to paradise in the next life, but he would have been saved the experience of being taken a captive in this. Muslim transmitted it.

‘A’isha told that when the people of Mecca sent about ransoming their prisoners1 Zainab sent some property to ransom Abul ‘As, sending among it a necklace of hers which Khadija had had and had sent with her when she married Abul ‘As. When God’s Messenger saw it he felt great tenderness about it and said, “If you consider that you should free her prisoner for her and return to her what belongs to her it will be well.” To this they agreed. The Prophet had made an agreement with him that he should let Zainab come to him, so he sent Zaid b. Haritha and a man of the Helpers, telling them to wait in the valley of Yajij2 till Zainab came along and bring her back with them. 1. After the battle of Badr. 2. Near at-Tan'im. Ahmad and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

She told that when God’s Messenger took prisoner the people at Badr he killed ‘Uqba b. Aba Mu'ait and an-Nadr b. al-Harith, but showed favour to Abu ‘Azza al-Jumahi. It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna.

Ibn Mas'ud told that when God’s Messenger intended to kill ‘Uqba b. Abu Mu'ait he asked who would look after the children, and he replied that hell would. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Ali reported God's Messenger as saying that Gabriel came down to him and said to him, “Give them (i.e. your companions) their choice regarding the prisoners at Badr whether they should be killed or ransomed on condition that a like number of them should be killed the following year.” They replied, “We shall accept ransom and have some of us killed.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition.

I was among the captives of Quraiza who were brought before the Prophet. The Companions examined us, and those who had begun to grow hair were killed, but those who had not were not killed. They uncovered my private parts and when they found that the hair had not begun to grow they put me among the captives. Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

‘Ali told that some slaves came out to God’s Messenger, i.e. on the day of al-Hudaibiya, before the peace was ratified, and their masters wrote to him saying, “We swear by God, Muhammad, that they have not gone out to you through desire for your religion, but they have done so only to fly from servitude.” Some people assured him they had spoken the truth and advised him to send them back to them, but God’s Messenger became angry and said, “I do not think you people of Quraish will cease till God sends someone to you who will cut off your heads for this.” He refused to send them back, saving they were God’s freedmen. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

The Prophet sent Khalid b. al-Walid to the B. Hadhima and he summoned them to accept Islam. When they did not express their acceptance of Islam properly but began to say, “We have changed our religion, we have changed our religion,”* Khalid began to kill them and take prisoners, and he handed a prisoner to each one of us. But when a day came when Khalid ordered each of us to kill his prisoner, I said, “I swear by God that I will not kill my prisoner and that not one of my companions will kill his prisoner till we come to the Prophet.” When we mentioned the matter to him he raised his hands and said twice, “O God, I declare myself innocent in Thy sight of what Khalid has done.” *Here the verb saba'a is used. Bukhari transmitted it.

I went to God’s Messenger in the year of the Conquest and found him bathing while his daughter Fatima was screening him with a garment. I gave a salutation and he asked who was there, then when I told him I was Umm Hani’ daughter of Abu Talib he said, “Welcome, Umm Hani’.” After he finished his bathing he got up and prayed eight rak'as wrapped in a garment, and when he was done I said, “Messenger of God, my mother’s son ‘Ali has asserted that he is going to kill a man to whom I have given protection, so and so the son of Hubaira.” He replied, “We have given protection to those to whom you have granted it, Umm Hani'.” She said that that was in the forenoon. (Bukhari and Muslim.) In a version by Tirmidhi she said, “I have given protection to two of my husband’s male relatives,” and God’s Messenger replied, “We have given security to those to whom you have given it.”

Abu Huraira reported the Prophet as saying, “A woman acts for the people,” i.e. she gives protection on behalf of the Muslims. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

‘Amr b. al-Hamiq told that he heard God's Messenger say, “He who grants a man security and then kills him will be given the banner of treachery on the day of resurrection.” It is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna.

There was a covenant between Mu'awiya and the Byzantines, and he was going towards their country; then when the covenant came to an end he attacked them. A man came on a horse, or a packhorse, saying, “God is most great, God is most great; let there be faithfulness and not treachery.”* And when they looked they found that he was 'Amr b. ‘Abasa. Mu'awiya questioned him about that and he replied that he had heard God’s Messenger say, "When one has a covenant with people he must not loosen or strengthen it till its term comes, or he brings it to an end in agreement with them.” He said that Mu'awiya then took the people back. *Mirqat, 4, 255 says that 'Amr b. ‘Abasa felt it was an act of treachery to make a treaty while in one’s own country and then approach the enemy’s country when the period of the treaty was near an end, so as to be able to make an immediate attack. Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Quraish sent me to God’s Messenger and when I saw him Islam was cast into my heart, so I said, "Messenger of God, I swear by God that I shall never return to them.” He replied, "I do not break a covenant or imprison messengers; but return, and if you feel the same as you do just now, come back.” So I went away and then came to the Prophet and accepted Islam. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Nu'aim b. Mas'ud reported God's Messenger as saying to two men who came from Musailima, "I swear by God that were it not that messengers are not killed, I would cut off your heads.” Ahmad and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Amr b. Shu'aib, on his father’s authority, told that his grandfather reported God’s Messenger as saying in the course of his sermon, "Observe fully the alliance made in the pre-Islamic period, for it, i.e. Islam, will only make it stronger; but make no new alliances in Islam.” The source is not given. See Tirmidhi, Siyar, 30

Ibn Mas'ud told that when Ibn an-Nawwaha and Ibn Uthal, Musailima’s messengers, came to the Prophet he asked them whether they testified that he was God’s Messenger. On their replying, "We testify that Musailima is God’s messenger,” he said, "I believe in God and His Messenger. If it was my custom to kill a messenger I would kill you.” ‘Abdallah (i.e. Ibn Mas'ud) said that the sunna that a messenger should not be killed then came into force. Ahmad transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s Messenger as saying, "Spoils were not lawful for anyone before us, that being because God saw our weakness and incapacity and made them allowable for us.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

We went out with God’s Messenger in the year of Hunain, and when the armies met, the Muslims suffered a reverse. I saw one of the polytheists getting the better of one of the Muslims, so I struck him with my sword from behind on his shoulder-blade and cut his coat of mail. He came at me and closed with me, so that I felt death was near, but he was overtaken by death and let me go. I then caught up on ‘Umar b. al-Khattab and asked him what was the matter with the people, to which he replied that it was what God had commanded.1 Then they returned and the Prophet sat down and said, "If anyone kills a man and can prove it he will get his spoil.” I said, "Who will testify for me?” and then sat down. The Prophet said the same again and I said, "Who will testify for me?”2 and then sat down. Again the Prophet said the same and I stood up He asked, "What is the matter with you, Qatada?” and when I informed him a man said, "He has spoken the truth. I have his spoil, so make him agreeable to take something in exchange.” Abu Bakr said, “In that case I swear by God that he did not do so. One of God’s heroes3 does not fight for God and His Messenger and then give you his spoil.” The Prophet said he had spoken the truth and told the man to hand it over to me. He did so, and I bought a garden among the B. Salima. This was the first property I acquired in the Islamic period. 1. He wondered why the Muslims had fled from the enemy, and 'Umar replied that it was what God had decreed. 2. There is doubt as to whether Abu Qatada spoke aloud the first two times, or inwardly. In the translation I have kept strictly to the wording in the Arabic. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn ‘Umar told that God’s Messenger allotted three portions for a man and his horse, one for him and two for his horse. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Yazid b. Hurmuz told that Najda al-Haruri wrote to Ibn ‘Abbas asking whether a slave and a woman should be allotted a portion when they are present at the division of the spoil, and he told Yazid to write telling him they are not entitled to a portion, but may have a small amount given them. A version says that Ibn ‘Abbas wrote to him, “You have written asking me whether God’s Messenger took women on military expeditions and whether he allotted them a portion. He used to take them on military expeditions to tend the sick, and they would be given a little of the spoil, but so far as a portion is concerned he allotted them none.’’ Muslim transmitted it.