33/28. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1876f — Love for Sacrifice in Allah's Way
The virtue of Jihad and going out (to fight) in the cause of Allah
Hadith About Jihad and the Prophet's Care for the Believers
Sahih Muslim : 1876f
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1876f
وَحَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " لَوْلاَ أَنْ أَشُقَّ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ ما قَعَدْتُ خِلاَفَ سَرِيَّةٍ " . بِمِثْلِ حَدِيثِهِمْ . وَبِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ " وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَوَدِدْتُ أَنِّي أُقْتَلُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ أُحْيَى " . بِمِثْلِ حَدِيثِ أَبِي زُرْعَةَ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: I would not stay behind (when) an expedition (for Jihad was being mobilised) if it were going to be too hard upon the believers.... This is followed by the same words as have appeared in the previous tradition, but this tradition has the same ending as the previous hadith with a slight difference in the wording:" By the Being in Whose Hand is my life, I love that I should be killed in the way of Allah; then I should be brought back to life and be killed again in His way...."
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1876fIn-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 160USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 20, Hadith 4631
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1876f
This narration repeats the meaning of the previous report and adds a strong statement from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). He said that he would not stay behind any expedition if doing so did not become too hard for the believers. This shows deep love for Jihad in the way of Allah, but it also shows mercy. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) did not act in a way that would burden people beyond their means. The ending also shows his wish to be killed in the way of Allah, then brought back to life, and killed again in His way. The hadith teaches that sincere sacrifice is highly valued, but the needs and limits of the community are also taken seriously.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) loved striving in the way of Allah.
- He avoided placing unbearable hardship on the believers.
- Sincere sacrifice in Allah's way is shown as a matter of great honor.
- Religious leadership includes mercy and awareness of people's limits.
