36/10. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 3960 — A Wooden Sword During Muslim Fitnah
Standing firm during times of tribulation
Hadith About the Wooden Sword During Fitnah Among Muslims
Sunan Ibn Majah : 3960
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 3960
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا صَفْوَانُ بْنُ عِيسَى، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عُبَيْدٍ، مُؤَذِّنُ مَسْجِدِ جُرْدَانَ قَالَ حَدَّثَتْنِي عُدَيْسَةُ بِنْتُ أُهْبَانَ، قَالَتْ لَمَّا جَاءَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ أَبِي طَالِبٍ هَاهُنَا الْبَصْرَةَ دَخَلَ عَلَى أَبِي فَقَالَ يَا أَبَا مُسْلِمٍ أَلاَ تُعِينُنِي عَلَى هَؤُلاَءِ الْقَوْمِ قَالَ بَلَى . قَالَ فَدَعَا جَارِيَةً لَهُ فَقَالَ يَا جَارِيَةُ أَخْرِجِي سَيْفِي . قَالَ فَأَخْرَجَتْهُ فَسَلَّ مِنْهُ قَدْرَ شِبْرٍ فَإِذَا هُوَ خَشَبٌ فَقَالَ إِنَّ خَلِيلِي وَابْنَ عَمِّكَ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ عَهِدَ إِلَىَّ إِذَا كَانَتِ الْفِتْنَةُ بَيْنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَأَتَّخِذُ سَيْفًا مِنْ خَشَبٍ فَإِنْ شِئْتَ خَرَجْتُ مَعَكَ . قَالَ لاَ حَاجَةَ لِي فِيكَ وَلاَ فِي سَيْفِكَ .
‘Udaisah bint Uhban Narrated from:
When ‘Ali bin Abu Talib came to Basrah, he entered upon my father and said: ‘O Abu Muslim, will you not help me against these people?’ He said: ‘Of course.’ So he called a slave woman of his and said: ‘O slave woman, bring me my sword.’ So she brought it, and he unsheathed it a span, and (I saw that) it was made of wood. He said: ‘My close friend and your cousin (ﷺ) advised me, if tribulation (Fitnah) arose among the Muslims, that I should take a sword of wood. If you wish I will go out with you.’ He said: ‘I have no need of you or of your sword.’”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 3960In-book reference : Book 36, Hadith 35English translation : Vol. 5, Book 36, Hadith 3960
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 3960
This Hadith is often searched as wooden sword during fitnah hadith. The narration says that Ali came to Basrah and asked Abu Muslim for help. Abu Muslim agreed, then called for his sword. When it was drawn, it was seen to be made of wood. He explained that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) had advised him that if fitnah arose among the Muslims, he should take a sword of wood. The point in the text is clear: he was not prepared to join real fighting between Muslims. Ali then said he had no need of him or his sword. The Hadith teaches caution during Muslim fitnah and shows a practical symbol of refusing bloodshed: a sword that cannot be used as a killing weapon.
What we learn from this hadith
- The wooden sword shows refusal to join real fighting in fitnah.
- The advice is linked specifically to tribulation among Muslims.
- Abu Muslim was willing to go out, but not to carry a killing weapon.
- The Hadith warns against being drawn into Muslim bloodshed.
