44/36. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2494b — Prophetic Mission and Trust
The Virtues Of Habib Bin Abi Balta'ah And The People Of Badr (RA)
Hadith About Hatib’s Letter and Prophetic Trust
Sahih Muslim : 2494b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2494b
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ فُضَيْلٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ إِدْرِيسَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا رِفَاعَةُ بْنُ الْهَيْثَمِ الْوَاسِطِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ - كُلُّهُمْ عَنْ حُصَيْنٍ، عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَيْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ السُّلَمِيِّ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ بَعَثَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَبَا مَرْثَدٍ الْغَنَوِيَّ وَالزُّبَيْرَ بْنَ الْعَوَّامِ وَكُلُّنَا فَارِسٌ فَقَالَ " انْطَلِقُوا حَتَّى تَأْتُوا رَوْضَةَ خَاخٍ فَإِنَّ بِهَا امْرَأَةً مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ مَعَهَا كِتَابٌ مِنْ حَاطِبٍ إِلَى الْمُشْرِكِينَ " . فَذَكَرَ بِمَعْنَى حَدِيثِ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي رَافِعٍ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ .
'Ali Narrated from:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sent me and Abu Marthad al-Ghitnavi and Zubair b. 'Awwam and we were all riders, and he said: Ride on until you reach the garden of Khakh for there is a woman amongst the polytheists and there is a letter with her sent by Hatib to the polytheists; the rest of the hadith is the same.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2494bIn-book reference : Book 44, Hadith 233USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 31, Hadith 6088
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2494b
This hadith about Hatib’s letter shows how Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) gave a clear task to trusted Companions. Ali, Abu Marthad al-Ghitnavi, and Zubair b. Awwam were sent as riders to the garden of Khakh. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) told them that a woman from the polytheists had a letter from Hatib to the polytheists. The core message is about trust, obedience, and quick response to a serious matter. The narration does not give all the details here, because it says the rest is like another report. So the safe lesson is to focus on what is directly stated: the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) gave exact instructions, named the place, described the person, and the Companions acted as riders on his command.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Companions responded to the Prophet’s instruction without delay.
- Clear guidance helps people carry out a serious task properly.
- Matters involving public safety and trust were handled with care.
- A believer should treat responsibility as something serious.
