33/28. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1876g — Jihad Without Burdening the Ummah
The virtue of Jihad and going out (to fight) in the cause of Allah
Hadith About the Prophet's Mercy Toward His Ummah in Jihad
Sahih Muslim : 1876g
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1876g
وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَهَّابِ يَعْنِي الثَّقَفِيَّ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ، بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُعَاوِيَةَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا مَرْوَانُ بْنُ مُعَاوِيَةَ، كُلُّهُمْ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لَوْلاَ أَنْ أَشُقَّ عَلَى أُمَّتِي لأَحْبَبْتُ أَنْ لاَ أَتَخَلَّفَ خَلْفَ سَرِيَّةٍ " . نَحْوَ حَدِيثِهِمْ .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: If it were not hard upon my Umma (to follow my example), I would not lag behind any expedition-as in the traditions gone before.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1876gIn-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 161USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 20, Hadith 4632
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1876g
This hadith gives a brief version of the same teaching. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said that if it were not hard upon his Ummah, he would not lag behind any expedition. The core topic is Jihad in the way of Allah, but the wording also highlights mercy. He did not only think about what he personally loved to do. He also considered what would be difficult for his followers. This is why the hadith is often searched as a hadith about jihad and hardship, or the Prophet's mercy to the Ummah. The message is simple: love for a noble deed should not blind a leader to the real burden people may face.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) had a strong desire to join expeditions in Allah's way.
- He considered the hardship that could fall on his Ummah.
- A leader should care about what people can bear.
- Good intentions should be joined with mercy and wisdom.
