12/49. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1068c — People From the East
The Khawarij are the most evil of people and of all creation
Khawarij Hadith: People From the East With Shaven Heads
Sahih Muslim : 1068c
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1068c
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَإِسْحَاقُ، جَمِيعًا عَنْ يَزِيدَ، - قَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ هَارُونَ، - عَنِ الْعَوَّامِ بْنِ حَوْشَبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو إِسْحَاقَ الشَّيْبَانِيُّ، عَنْ أُسَيْرِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ حُنَيْفٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " يَتِيهُ قَوْمٌ قِبَلَ الْمَشْرِقِ مُحَلَّقَةٌ رُءُوسُهُمْ " .
Sahl b. Hunaif reported Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) as saying: There would arise from the east a people with shaven heads.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1068cIn-book reference : Book 12, Hadith 209USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 5, Hadith 2338
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1068c
This hadith is a short report from Sahl b. Hunaif in which the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that people would arise from the east with shaven heads. The text does not give a long explanation by itself, so the safest reading is to keep to what it says. In the surrounding reports, this wording is linked with the Khawarij warning, but this specific text only mentions their direction and visible mark. The phrase "shaven heads" is given as a sign, not as a general rule about everyone who shaves the head. The hadith teaches careful attention to prophetic descriptions while avoiding broad claims not stated in the narration.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم gave a visible description connected with a warned group.
- A short hadith should be explained without adding extra claims to it.
- Signs in a report should not be applied broadly without care.
- The narration fits the nearby reports about warned groups arising.
