64/54. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4317 — Firmness When Arrows Came at Hunain
“…and on the day of Hunain when you rejoiced at your great number….”
Battle of Hunain Hadith: The Prophet Remained Firm
Sahih Bukhari : 4317
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4317
حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا غُنْدَرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، سَمِعَ الْبَرَاءَ ـ وَسَأَلَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنْ قَيْسٍ ـ أَفَرَرْتُمْ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَوْمَ حُنَيْنٍ فَقَالَ لَكِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَمْ يَفِرَّ، كَانَتْ هَوَازِنُ رُمَاةً، وَإِنَّا لَمَّا حَمَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمِ انْكَشَفُوا، فَأَكْبَبْنَا عَلَى الْغَنَائِمِ، فَاسْتُقْبِلْنَا بِالسِّهَامِ، وَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَى بَغْلَتِهِ الْبَيْضَاءِ، وَإِنَّ أَبَا سُفْيَانَ آخِذٌ بِزِمَامِهَا وَهْوَ يَقُولُ {أَنَا النَّبِيُّ لاَ كَذِبْ}. قَالَ إِسْرَائِيلُ وَزُهَيْرٌ نَزَلَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ بَغْلَتِهِ.
Abu Ishaq Narrated from:
Narrated Abu 'Is-haq: That he heard Al-Bara narrating when a man from Qais (tribe) asked him "Did you flee leaving Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) on the day (of the battle) of Hunain?" Al-Bara' replied, "But Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) did not flee. The people of Hawazin were good archers, and when we attacked them, they fled. But rushing towards the booty, we were confronted by the arrows (of the enemy). I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) riding his white mule while Abu Sufyan was holding its reins, and the Prophet (ﷺ) was saying "I am the Prophet (ﷺ) undoubtedly." (Israil and Zuhair said, "The Prophet (ﷺ) dismounted from his Mule.")
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4317In-book reference : Book 64, Hadith 348USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 5, Book 59, Hadith 607
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4317
This Hadith gives a fuller picture of the moment at Hunain. A man from Qais asked Al-Bara whether they fled from Allah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم on that day. Al-Bara replied that Allah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم did not flee. He explained that Hawazin were good archers. When the Muslims attacked, Hawazin first moved back, and some Muslims rushed toward the booty. Then they were met with arrows. Al-Bara says he saw the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم on his white mule while Abu Sufyan held its reins, and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was saying, “I am the Prophet, no lie.” This narration teaches the danger of rushing toward spoils and the clear firmness of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in that moment.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not flee at Hunain, according to Al-Bara.
- Some Muslims rushed toward the booty before arrows came.
- Hawazin are described as skilled archers.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم remained visible on his white mule.
