33/18. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1856a — Pledge of Hudaibiyah
It is recommended for the army to swear allegiance to the ruler when intending to fight, and an account of Bay'at Ar-Ridwan beneath the tree
Pledge of Hudaibiyah Hadith: The Oath Not to Flee
Sahih Muslim : 1856a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1856a
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا لَيْثُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رُمْحٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ أَبِي الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ، قَالَ كُنَّا يَوْمَ الْحُدَيْبِيَةِ أَلْفًا وَأَرْبَعَمِائَةٍ فَبَايَعْنَاهُ وَعُمَرُ آخِذٌ بِيَدِهِ تَحْتَ الشَّجَرَةِ وَهِيَ سَمُرَةٌ . وَقَالَ بَايَعْنَاهُ عَلَى أَلاَ نَفِرَّ . وَلَمْ نُبَايِعْهُ عَلَى الْمَوْتِ.
Jabir Narrated from:
We were one thousand and four hundred on the Day of Hudaibiya. We swore fealty to him (the Holy Prophet) and 'Umar was holding the latter's hand (when he was sitting) under the tree (called) Samura (to administer the oath to the Companions). The narrator added: We took oath to the effect that we would not flee (from the battlefield if there was an encounter with the Meccans), but we did not take oath to fight to death.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1856aIn-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 104USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 20, Hadith 4576
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1856a
This Hadith is about the pledge of Hudaibiyah, also known in search terms as the pledge under the tree or Bay'ah at Hudaibiyah. Jabir says the Companions were one thousand and four hundred on that day. They pledged allegiance to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم while 'Umar was holding his hand under the Samura tree. The report is careful about what the pledge meant. It says they pledged not to flee if there was an encounter, but they did not pledge to fight to death. This matters because the Hadith does not leave the reader to guess. It gives the number, the place, the scene under the tree, and the exact meaning of the oath.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Companions made a serious pledge to stand firm and not flee.
- The report clearly separates “not fleeing” from “fighting to death.”
- Jabir preserved details of the number, place, tree, and role of 'Umar.
- The wording teaches care when describing major events.
