33/44. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1906b — Reward, Safety, and Hardship
The reward of those who fought and acquired spoils of war and those who did not acquire spoils of war
Reward in the Hereafter: Returning With Booty or Returning Empty-Handed
Sahih Muslim : 1906b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1906b
حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سَهْلٍ التَّمِيمِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ، أَخْبَرَنَا نَافِعُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو هَانِئٍ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْحُبُلِيُّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَا مِنْ غَازِيَةٍ أَوْ سَرِيَّةٍ تَغْزُو فَتَغْنَمُ وَتَسْلَمُ إِلاَّ كَانُوا قَدْ تَعَجَّلُوا ثُلُثَىْ أُجُورِهِمْ وَمَا مِنْ غَازِيَةٍ أَوْ سَرِيَّةٍ تُخْفِقُ وَتُصَابُ إِلاَّ تَمَّ أُجُورُهُمْ " .
'Abdullah bin 'Amr Narrated from:
It has been narrated on the authority of Abdullah b. Amr (through a different chain of transmitters) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: A troop of soldiers, large or small, who fight (in the way of Allah), get their share of the booty and return safe and sound, receive in advance two-thirds of their reward (only one-third remaining to their credit to be received in the Hereafter); and a troop of soldiers, large or small, who return empty-handed and are afflicted or wounded, will receive their full reward (in the Hereafter).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1906bIn-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 221USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 20, Hadith 4691
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1906b
This narration gives more detail about the same topic of reward in the Hereafter. It mentions a troop, large or small, that fights, gains booty, and returns safe. Such people have received two-thirds of their reward earlier. It also mentions a troop that fails to gain booty and is afflicted or wounded. Their reward is completed. The Hadith does not reduce the value of service; it explains how reward is measured when worldly gain and hardship are involved. People searching for the hadith about booty and reward often want to understand this balance. The wording teaches that safety, hardship, gain, and loss are all seen by Allah.
What we learn from this hadith
- Reward is not measured only by visible success.
- Hardship and injury are mentioned as part of the complete reward context.
- Returning safely with gain is different from returning empty-handed and afflicted.
- Both large and small troops are included in the wording.
