64/56. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4325 — Wisdom During Difficulty
The Ghazwa of At-Taif
قَالَهُ مُوسَى بْنُ عُقَبْةَ.
Hadith About Patience and Wise Leadership at Ta'if
Sahih Bukhari : 4325
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4325
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ أَبِي الْعَبَّاسِ الشَّاعِرِ الأَعْمَى، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ لَمَّا حَاصَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الطَّائِفَ فَلَمْ يَنَلْ مِنْهُمْ شَيْئًا قَالَ " إِنَّا قَافِلُونَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ ". فَثَقُلَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَقَالُوا نَذْهَبُ وَلاَ نَفْتَحُهُ ـ وَقَالَ مَرَّةً نَقْفُلُ ـ فَقَالَ " اغْدُوا عَلَى الْقِتَالِ ". فَغَدَوْا فَأَصَابَهُمْ جِرَاحٌ فَقَالَ " إِنَّا قَافِلُونَ غَدًا إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ ". فَأَعْجَبَهُمْ فَضَحِكَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم، وَقَالَ سُفْيَانُ مَرَّةً فَتَبَسَّمَ. قَالَ قَالَ الْحُمَيْدِيُّ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ الْخَبَرَ كُلَّهُ.
'Abdullah bin 'Amr Narrated from:
When Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) besieged Taif and could not conquer its people, he said, "We will return (to Medina) If Allah wills." That distressed the Companions (of the Prophet (ﷺ) and they said, "Shall we go away without conquering it (i.e. the Fort of Taif)?" Once the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Let us return." Then the Prophet said (to them), "Fight tomorrow." They fought and (many of them) got wounded, whereupon the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "We will return (to Medina) tomorrow if Allah wills." That delighted them, whereupon the Prophet (ﷺ) smiled. The sub-narrator, Sufyan said once, "(The Prophet) smiled."
[2] Faṭh Al-Bārī quoted that the narrator was ‘Abdullāh bin ‘Umar.Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4325In-book reference : Book 64, Hadith 355USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 5, Book 59, Hadith 615
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4325
This Hadith about patience shows the Prophet's wise handling of a hard moment at Ta'if. The Muslims had besieged Ta'if but did not conquer it. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said they would return, if Allah willed. Some companions found this difficult and felt troubled by leaving without victory. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم then allowed them to fight the next day. They fought and were wounded. After that, he again said they would return the next day, if Allah willed. This time they were pleased, and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم smiled. The Hadith teaches that leadership is not only about pushing forward. Sometimes people understand wisdom better after facing the reality of a situation. It also shows the use of in sha Allah and calm trust in Allah's plan.
What we learn from this hadith
- A leader may choose to stop when continuing brings harm.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم used the phrase if Allah wills.
- The companions learned through the result of the next day's fighting.
- Patience can be needed when a desired outcome does not happen.
