64/44. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4262 — Tears for the Martyrs of Mu'tah
The expedition of Mu`tah to the land of Syria
Martyrs of Mu'tah Hadith: The Prophet's Tears and the Flag
Sahih Bukhari : 4262
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4262
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ وَاقِدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ حُمَيْدِ بْنِ هِلاَلٍ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَعَى زَيْدًا وَجَعْفَرًا وَابْنَ رَوَاحَةَ لِلنَّاسِ، قَبْلَ أَنْ يَأْتِيَهُمْ خَبَرُهُمْ فَقَالَ " أَخَذَ الرَّايَةَ زَيْدٌ فَأُصِيبَ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ جَعْفَرٌ فَأُصِيبَ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ ابْنُ رَوَاحَةَ فَأُصِيبَ ـ وَعَيْنَاهُ تَذْرِفَانِ ـ حَتَّى أَخَذَ الرَّايَةَ سَيْفٌ مِنْ سُيُوفِ اللَّهِ حَتَّى فَتَحَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ ".
Anas Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) had informed the people of the martyrdom of Zaid, Ja`far and Ibn Rawaha before the news of their death reached. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Zaid took the flag (as the commander of the army) and was martyred, then Ja`far took it and was martyred, and then Ibn Rawaha took it and was martyred." At that time the Prophet's eyes were shedding tears. He added, "Then the flag was taken by a Sword amongst the Swords of Allah (i.e. Khalid) and Allah made them (i.e. the Muslims) victorious."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4262In-book reference : Book 64, Hadith 296USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 5, Book 59, Hadith 561
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4262
This hadith about the martyrs of Mu'tah shows both leadership and human sorrow. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم informed the people that Zaid took the flag and was martyred. Then Ja'far took it and was martyred. Then Ibn Rawaha took it and was martyred. While saying this, his eyes were shedding tears. The report then says the flag was taken by a Sword among the Swords of Allah, meaning Khalid, and Allah gave victory to the Muslims. The teaching is clear from the text: the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم honored the fallen leaders, felt grief, and still told the people how the flag continued. This hadith about the Battle of Mu'tah is often searched because it joins sacrifice, sorrow, and victory in one short report.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم showed sorrow when speaking about the martyrs.
- The flag passed from one leader to the next during the battle.
- The narration shows that grief and trust in Allah can appear together.
