33/25. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1870a — Horse Racing and Training
Horse Races and Training Horses for Racing
Hadith About Horse Racing and Training in Islam
Sahih Muslim : 1870a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1870a
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى التَّمِيمِيُّ، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، . أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم سَابَقَ بِالْخَيْلِ الَّتِي قَدْ أُضْمِرَتْ مِنَ الْحَفْيَاءِ وَكَانَ أَمَدُهَا ثَنِيَّةَ الْوَدَاعِ وَسَابَقَ بَيْنَ الْخَيْلِ الَّتِي لَمْ تُضْمَرْ مِنَ الثَّنِيَّةِ إِلَى مَسْجِدِ بَنِي زُرَيْقٍ وَكَانَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ فِيمَنْ سَابَقَ بِهَا .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had a race of the horses which had been especially prepared for the purpose from Hafya' to Thaniyyat al-Wada' (the latter being the winning post), and of those which had not been trained from Thaniyya to the mosque of Banu Zuraiq, and Ibn Umar was among those who took part in this race.
[1] Specially prepared: This involved reducing their feed for a while and confining them in a narrow stall, covering them with blankets so that they would sweat; as the sweat dried their flesh would also dry and they would become stronger for running.Reference : Sahih Muslim 1870aIn-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 139USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 20, Hadith 4610
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1870a
This hadith about horse racing shows a clear and practical scene from the life of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم. The race was not random. Trained horses were given one course, from Hafya’ to Thaniyyat al-Wada’, while horses that had not been trained were given a shorter course, from Thaniyya to the mosque of Banu Zuraiq. The main point is simple: preparation mattered, and different levels were treated differently. Ibn Umar also took part, so the report shows real participation, not only a general statement. For readers searching for Prophet horse race hadith, horse training in Islam, or trained horses hadith, this narration gives a direct picture of organized racing, measured routes, and fair handling between trained and untrained horses.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم arranged separate race routes for trained and untrained horses.
- Preparation and training were recognized in setting the race distance.
- Ibn Umar’s participation shows that the race was an actual event witnessed by companions.
- The narration points to order and fairness in handling different levels of readiness.
