32/8. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1744a — Disapproval of Killing Women and Children
The prohibition of killing women and children in war
Killing Women and Children in War Hadith: Clear Limits in Battle
Sahih Muslim : 1744a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1744a
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رُمْحٍ، قَالاَ أَخْبَرَنَا اللَّيْثُ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ، سَعِيدٍ حَدَّثَنَا لَيْثٌ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، أَنَّ امْرَأَةً، وُجِدَتْ، فِي بَعْضِ مَغَازِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَقْتُولَةً فَأَنْكَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَتْلَ النِّسَاءِ وَالصِّبْيَانِ.
`Abdullah Narrated from:
A woman was found killed in one of the battles fought by the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). He disapproved of the killing of women and children.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1744aIn-book reference : Book 32, Hadith 28USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 19, Hadith 4319
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1744a
This killing women and children in war hadith gives a direct report from ‘Abdullah. A woman was found killed in one of the battles fought by the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم disapproved of the killing of women and children. The core message is clear from the wording itself: even in battle, there are limits. The narration does not add extra conditions or a long legal discussion. It simply reports the Prophet’s disapproval when a woman was found killed and mentions women and children together. For readers searching for Islamic rules of war hadith, this text is often used because its message is short, plain, and serious.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم disapproved of killing women in the reported battle.
- The text includes children along with women in this disapproval.
- Even in battle, the narration shows clear limits.
