32/13. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1753a — Respecting Appointed Commanders
The killer is entitled to the belongings of the one who is killed
Hadith About Booty Rights and Respecting Commanders
Sahih Muslim : 1753a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1753a
وَحَدَّثَنِي أَبُو الطَّاهِرِ، أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عَمْرِو بْنِ سَرْحٍ أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ صَالِحٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَوْفِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ قَتَلَ رَجُلٌ مِنْ حِمْيَرَ رَجُلاً مِنَ الْعَدُوِّ فَأَرَادَ سَلَبَهُ فَمَنَعَهُ خَالِدُ بْنُ الْوَلِيدِ وَكَانَ وَالِيًا عَلَيْهِمْ فَأَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَوْفُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ فَأَخْبَرَهُ فَقَالَ لِخَالِدٍ " مَا مَنَعَكَ أَنْ تُعْطِيَهُ سَلَبَهُ " . قَالَ اسْتَكْثَرْتُهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ . قَالَ " ادْفَعْهُ إِلَيْهِ " . فَمَرَّ خَالِدٌ بِعَوْفٍ فَجَرَّ بِرِدَائِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَلْ أَنْجَزْتُ لَكَ مَا ذَكَرْتُ لَكَ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَسَمِعَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَاسْتُغْضِبَ فَقَالَ " لاَ تُعْطِهِ يَا خَالِدُ لاَ تُعْطِهِ يَا خَالِدُ هَلْ أَنْتُمْ تَارِكُونَ لِي أُمَرَائِي إِنَّمَا مَثَلُكُمْ وَمَثَلُهُمْ كَمَثَلِ رَجُلٍ اسْتُرْعِيَ إِبِلاً أَوْ غَنَمًا فَرَعَاهَا ثُمَّ تَحَيَّنَ سَقْيَهَا فَأَوْرَدَهَا حَوْضًا فَشَرَعَتْ فِيهِ فَشَرِبَتْ صَفْوَهُ وَتَرَكَتْ كَدَرَهُ فَصَفْوُهُ لَكُمْ وَكَدَرُهُ عَلَيْهِمْ " .
‘Auf b. Malik Narrated from:
A man from the Himyar tribe killed an enemy and wanted to take the booty. Khalid b. Walid, who was the commander over them, forbade, him. 'Auf b Malik (the narrator) came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and informed him (to this effect). The latter asked Khalid: What prevented you from giving the booty to him? Khalid said: I thought it was too much. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Hand it over to him.Now when Khalid by Auf, the latter pulled him by his cloak and said (by way of chafing him): Hasn't the same thing happened what I reported to you from the Messenger of Allah (may peace he upon him)? When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) heard it. he was angry (and said): Khalid, don't give him, Khalid, don't give him. Are you going to desert the commanders appointed by roe?Your similitude and theirs is like a person who took camels and sheep for grazing. He grazed them and when it was time for them to have a drink, he brought them to a pool. So they drank from it, drinking away its clear water and leaving the turbid water below So the clear water (i. e. the best reward) is for you and the turbid water (i e. blame) is for them.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1753aIn-book reference : Book 32, Hadith 51USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 19, Hadith 4342
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1753a
This Hadith about booty rights tells of a man from Himyar who killed an enemy and wanted to take the belongings. Khalid b. Walid, who was the commander, stopped him because he thought the booty was too much. When the matter reached the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم, he first told Khalid to hand it over. Then Auf b. Malik spoke to Khalid in a way that upset the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم then spoke strongly about not undermining his appointed commanders. The lesson is not only about spoils of war. It also teaches adab with leadership. Even when a right is being discussed, the tone used toward those placed in charge still matters.
What we learn from this hadith
- The man’s claim to the booty was taken seriously by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
- Khalid’s reason was that he thought the amount was too much.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم showed concern when an appointed commander was treated poorly.
- Rights should be pursued without insulting or undermining leadership.
