64/29. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4097 — Age and Readiness for Battle
The Ghazwa of Al-Khandaq or Al-Ahzab Battle
قَالَ مُوسَى بْنُ عُقْبَةَ كَانَتْ فِي شَوَّالٍ سَنَةَ أَرْبَعٍ.
Hadith About Ibn Umar's Age and Readiness for Battle
Sahih Bukhari : 4097
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4097
حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي نَافِعٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَرَضَهُ يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ وَهْوَ ابْنُ أَرْبَعَ عَشْرَةَ فَلَمْ يُجِزْهُ، وَعَرَضَهُ يَوْمَ الْخَنْدَقِ وَهْوَ ابْنُ خَمْسَ عَشْرَةَ فَأَجَازَهُ.
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) inspected him on the day of Uhud while he was fourteen years old, and the Prophet (ﷺ) did not allow him to take part in the battle. He was inspected again by the Prophet (ﷺ) on the day of Al- Khandaq (i.e. battle of the Trench) while he was fifteen years old, and the Prophet (ﷺ) allowed him to take Part in the battle.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4097In-book reference : Book 64, Hadith 141USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 5, Book 59, Hadith 423
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4097
This hadith about Ibn Umar’s age shows careful judgment by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. Ibn Umar was presented to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم on the day of Uhud when he was fourteen, and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not allow him to take part in the battle. Later, on the day of Al-Khandaq, he was presented again when he was fifteen, and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم allowed him to take part. The hadith does not give a long explanation in this wording. It simply records two inspections and two different decisions. The main lesson is that participation in serious public matters was not treated lightly. Age and readiness were considered before allowing someone to join.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم inspected Ibn Umar before allowing battle participation.
- At fourteen, Ibn Umar was not allowed to join Uhud.
- At fifteen, he was allowed to join Al-Khandaq.
