11/19. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1766 — Ali Helped the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم Sacrifice Camels
Regarding The Sacrificial Animal Being Unable To Continue Traveling Before Reaching Makkah
Hadith About Ali Helping the Prophet Sacrifice Camels
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1766
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1766
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ مَهْدِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ، عَنْ حَرْمَلَةَ بْنِ عِمْرَانَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ الأَزْدِيِّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ غَرَفَةَ بْنَ الْحَارِثِ الْكِنْدِيَّ، قَالَ شَهِدْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي حَجَّةِ الْوَدَاعِ وَأُتِيَ بِالْبُدْنِ فَقَالَ " ادْعُوا لِي أَبَا حَسَنٍ " . فَدُعِيَ لَهُ عَلِيٌّ - رضى الله عنه - فَقَالَ لَهُ " خُذْ بِأَسْفَلِ الْحَرْبَةِ " . وَأَخَذَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِأَعْلاَهَا ثُمَّ طَعَنَ بِهَا فِي الْبُدْنِ فَلَمَّا فَرَغَ رَكِبَ بَغْلَتَهُ وَأَرْدَفَ عَلِيًّا رضى الله عنه .
Arfah ibn al-Harith al-Kandi Narrated from:
I was present with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) at the Farewell Pilgrimage. When the sacrificial camels were brought to him, he said: Call AbulHasan (Ali) to me. Ali was then called for and he (the Prophet) said to him: Catch hold of the lower end of the lance, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) himself caught hold of the upper end. He then pierced the camels with it. When he finished slaughtering, he rode on his mule and mounted Ali behind him.
[1] Our text has 'Arafah, what is more popular is "Ghurfah" see Tahdhib Al-Kamāl , Tahdhib At-Tahdhib , At-Taqrīb , Tuhfat Al-Ashrāf , Al-Aṣābah and the other books of biographies.Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1766In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 46English translation : Book 10, Hadith 1762
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1766
This Hadith about sacrificing camels at the Farewell Pilgrimage gives a close picture of the act. Arfah ibn al-Harith said he was present with the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) during the Farewell Hajj. When the sacrificial camels were brought, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) called for Abul Hasan, meaning Ali. Ali was told to hold the lower end of the lance, while the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) held the upper end. Then he pierced the camels with it. After finishing, he rode his mule and mounted Ali behind him. The narration is about cooperation in the sacrifice and the specific way Ali assisted. It does not add extra rulings beyond what is stated.
What we learn from this hadith
- Ali assisted the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) during the camel sacrifice.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) held the upper end of the lance and Ali held the lower end.
- The event took place during the Farewell Pilgrimage.
- After the sacrifice, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) rode his mule and seated Ali behind him.
