64/65. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4361 — The Army of Al-Khabt and Wise Leadership
The Ghazwa of the sea-coast
Army of Al-Khabt Hadith: Hunger, Al-Anbar, and Leadership
Sahih Bukhari : 4361
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4361
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، قَالَ الَّذِي حَفِظْنَاهُ مِنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ دِينَارٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، يَقُولُ بَعَثَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثَلاَثَمِائَةِ رَاكِبٍ أَمِيرُنَا أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ بْنُ الْجَرَّاحِ نَرْصُدُ عِيرَ قُرَيْشٍ، فَأَقَمْنَا بِالسَّاحِلِ نِصْفَ شَهْرٍ فَأَصَابَنَا جُوعٌ شَدِيدٌ حَتَّى أَكَلْنَا الْخَبَطَ، فَسُمِّيَ ذَلِكَ الْجَيْشُ جَيْشَ الْخَبَطِ، فَأَلْقَى لَنَا الْبَحْرُ دَابَّةً يُقَالُ لَهَا الْعَنْبَرُ، فَأَكَلْنَا مِنْهُ نِصْفَ شَهْرٍ وَادَّهَنَّا مِنْ وَدَكِهِ حَتَّى ثَابَتْ إِلَيْنَا أَجْسَامُنَا، فَأَخَذَ أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ ضِلَعًا مِنْ أَضْلاَعِهِ فَنَصَبَهُ فَعَمَدَ إِلَى أَطْوَلِ رَجُلٍ مَعَهُ ـ قَالَ سُفْيَانُ مَرَّةً ضِلَعًا مِنْ أَعْضَائِهِ فَنَصَبَهُ وَأَخَذَ رَجُلاً وَبَعِيرًا ـ فَمَرَّ تَحْتَهُ قَالَ جَابِرٌ وَكَانَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ نَحَرَ ثَلاَثَ جَزَائِرَ، ثُمَّ نَحَرَ ثَلاَثَ جَزَائِرَ، ثُمَّ نَحَرَ ثَلاَثَ جَزَائِرَ، ثُمَّ إِنَّ أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ نَهَاهُ. وَكَانَ عَمْرٌو يَقُولُ أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو صَالِحٍ أَنَّ قَيْسَ بْنَ سَعْدٍ قَالَ لأَبِيهِ كُنْتُ فِي الْجَيْشِ فَجَاعُوا. قَالَ انْحَرْ. قَالَ نَحَرْتُ. قَالَ ثُمَّ جَاعُوا قَالَ انْحَرْ. قَالَ نَحَرْتُ. قَالَ ثُمَّ جَاعُوا قَالَ انْحَرْ. قَالَ نَحَرْتُ ثُمَّ جَاعُوا قَالَ انْحَرْ. قَالَ نُهِيتُ.
Jabir bin `Abdullah Narrated from:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sent us who were three-hundred riders under the command of Abu Ubaida bin Al- Jarrah in order to watch the caravan of the Quraish pagans. We stayed at the seashore for half a month and were struck with such severe hunger that we ate even the Khabt (i.e. the leaves of the Salam, a thorny desert tree), and because of that, the army was known as Jaish-ul-Khabt.Then the sea threw out, an animal (i.e. a fish) called Al-`Anbar and we ate of that for half a month, and rubbed its fat on our bodies till our bodies returned to their original state (i.e. became strong and healthy). Abu Ubaida took one of its ribs, fixed it on the ground; then he went to the tallest man of his companions (to let him pass under the rib).Once Sufyan said, "He took a rib from its parts and fixed it, and then took a man and camel and they passed from underneath it (without touching it). " Jabir added: There was a man amongst the people who slaughtered three camels and then slaughtered another three camels and then slaughtered other three camels, and then Abu 'Ubaida forbade him to do so.Narrated Abu Salih: Qais bin Sa`d said to his father. "I was present in the army and the people were struck with severe hunger." He said, "You should have slaughtered (camels) (for them)." Qais said, "I did slaughter camels but they were hungry again. He said, "You should have slaughtered (camels) again." Qais said, "I did slaughter (camels) again but the people felt hungry again." He said, "You should have slaughtered (camels) again." Qais said, "I did slaughter (camels) again, but the people again felt hungry." He said, "You should have slaughtered (camels) again." Qais said, "But I was forbidden (by Abu 'Ubaida this time).
[1] He was forbidden lest they should run short of riding animals.Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4361In-book reference : Book 64, Hadith 387USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 5, Book 59, Hadith 647
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4361
This narration gives another clear view of the Army of Al-Khabt hadith. The group was made up of three hundred riders under Abu Ubaida, sent to watch the caravan of Quraysh. They stayed near the seashore and were hit by severe hunger, so much so that they ate khabt, the leaves of a desert tree. Because of that, the army became known as Jaish-ul-Khabt. Then the sea threw out a large animal called Al-Anbar, and they ate from it for half a month. The text also mentions that its fat helped their bodies regain strength. Abu Ubaida later stopped more camels from being slaughtered, which shows careful concern for resources. The Hadith speaks about hunger, shared struggle, and measured leadership in a real test.
What we learn from this hadith
- Severe hunger can test a group, but discipline helps them continue.
- Shared hardship is easier to bear when leadership is steady.
- Resources should not be used without care, even when people are hungry.
- The Al-Anbar fish became a means of relief after a hard period.
