2/132. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 787 — Bara'ah and Al-Anfal Explained
Those Who Recited It Out Loud
Bismillah, Bara'ah, and Al-Anfal: A Related Report
Sunan Abi Dawud : 787
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 787
حَدَّثَنَا زِيَادُ بْنُ أَيُّوبَ، حَدَّثَنَا مَرْوَانُ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ مُعَاوِيَةَ - أَخْبَرَنَا عَوْفٌ الأَعْرَابِيُّ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ الْفَارِسِيِّ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ، بِمَعْنَاهُ قَالَ فِيهِ فَقُبِضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَلَمْ يُبَيِّنْ لَنَا أَنَّهَا مِنْهَا . قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ قَالَ الشَّعْبِيُّ وَأَبُو مَالِكٍ وَقَتَادَةُ وَثَابِتُ بْنُ عُمَارَةَ إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَمْ يَكْتُبْ { بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ } حَتَّى نَزَلَتْ سُورَةُ النَّمْلِ هَذَا مَعْنَاهُ .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
The above mentioned tradition has been reported by ibn abbas through a different chain of narrators to the same effect. This version adds: The apostle of Allah (ﷺ) died, but he did not mention to us that surah al baraah is a part of al-anfal. Abu Dawood said: Al-sha’bl, Abu Malik, Qatadah, and Thabit b. ‘Umarah said: The prophet( may peace be upon him) did not write”In the name of Allah, the compassionate, the merciful” until Surah al-naml was revealed. This is the meaning of what they said. Further, this is a mursal traditional(omitting the name of the companion)
[1] An-Naml 27:30; Verily it is from Sulaimān, and it (reads): "In the Name of Allāh, the Beneficent, the Merciful..."Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 787In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 397English translation : Book 2, Hadith 786
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 787
This narration continues the report from Ibn Abbas through another chain. It has the same general meaning as the previous narration about Al-Bara'ah, Al-Anfal, and the writing of Bismillah. This version adds that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم passed away without explaining to them that Bara'ah was part of Al-Anfal. Abu Dawud then adds a note from several scholars, saying that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not write Bismillah until Surah An-Naml was revealed, and he says this is the meaning of what they said. He also notes that this is mursal. For someone searching for hadith about Bismillah and Surah Tawbah, this report should be read carefully because it includes both a related addition and Abu Dawud's note about its form.
What we learn from this hadith
- The report is connected to the question of Bismillah between Al-Anfal and Bara'ah.
- This version adds that no clear statement was given that Bara'ah was part of Al-Anfal.
- Abu Dawud records an additional note about Bismillah and Surah An-Naml.
- The report reminds readers to notice hadith comments such as mursal.
