32/8. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1744b — Forbidding the Killing of Women and Children
The prohibition of killing women and children in war
Hadith Forbidding Killing Women and Children: A Clear Prophetic Order
Sahih Muslim : 1744b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1744b
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بِشْرٍ، وَأَبُو أُسَامَةَ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ، اللَّهِ بْنُ عُمَرَ عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ وُجِدَتِ امْرَأَةٌ مَقْتُولَةً فِي بَعْضِ تِلْكَ الْمَغَازِي فَنَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ قَتْلِ النِّسَاءِ وَالصِّبْيَانِ .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
A woman was found killed in one of these battles; so the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) forbade the killing of women and children.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1744bIn-book reference : Book 32, Hadith 29USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 19, Hadith 4320
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1744b
This hadith forbidding killing women and children is narrated by Ibn ‘Umar. A woman was found killed in one of the battles, and the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم forbade the killing of women and children. The wording is direct and easy to understand. It does not present the matter as a side note. It reports a clear Prophetic response after a woman was found killed. For people searching for Islam and protection of non-combatants, this narration is important because the text itself names women and children. A careful explanation should stay with what the hadith says: the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم forbade their killing in this reported setting.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم forbade killing women in the reported battle setting.
- The hadith also names children in the prohibition.
- The report teaches restraint through the Prophet’s clear response.
