50/9. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2769c — Tabuk Was Announced Clearly
The Repentance Of Ka'b Ibn Malik And His Two Companions
Hadith About the Tabuk Expedition and Truth
Sahih Muslim : 2769c
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2769c
وَحَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، حَدَّثَنِي يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ، اللَّهِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ ابْنُ أَخِي الزُّهْرِيِّ عَنْ عَمِّهِ، مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ الزُّهْرِيِّ أَخْبَرَنِي عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ، بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ كَعْبِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ أَنَّ عُبَيْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ كَعْبِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، وَكَانَ، قَائِدَ كَعْبٍ حِينَ عَمِيَ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ كَعْبَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ يُحَدِّثُ حَدِيثَهُ حِينَ تَخَلَّفَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي غَزْوَةِ تَبُوكَ . وَسَاقَ الْحَدِيثَ وَزَادَ فِيهِ عَلَى يُونُسَ فَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَلَّمَا يُرِيدُ غَزْوَةً إِلاَّ وَرَّى بِغَيْرِهَا حَتَّى كَانَتْ تِلْكَ الْغَزْوَةُ . وَلَمْ يَذْكُرْ فِي حَدِيثِ ابْنِ أَخِي الزُّهْرِيِّ أَبَا خَيْثَمَةَ وَلُحُوقَهُ بِالنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم .
`Abdullah bin Ka`b Narrated from:
Abdullah b. K'ab, who was his (Ka'b's) guide as he became blind, reported that he heard from Ka'b b. Malik the story of his staying behind Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) from the expedition of Tabuk. The rest of the hadith is the same (but with this variation) that in the narration transmitted on the authority of Yunus (the words are): When Allah's Messenger (may. peace be upon him) intended to set on an expedition he kept It as a secret, but. be did not do so in this. expedition. And in the narration transmitted on the authority of Muhammad b. Abdullah b. Muslim, there is no mention of Abu Khaithana (Allah be pleased with him) and no mention of his meeting with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2769cIn-book reference : Book 50, Hadith 63USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 37, Hadith 6671
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2769c
This report gives another chain for the story of Ka'b ibn Malik and adds a detail about the expedition of Tabuk. It says that when the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم intended an expedition, he would often indicate another direction, but he did not do so for this expedition. This fits the main story, because Tabuk was a long, hard journey and the Muslims needed to prepare. The narration also notes that one version does not mention Abu Khaithama or his meeting with the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. The main lesson remains tied to truthfulness and responsibility. Ka'b knew the journey was real and serious, yet he delayed until he was left behind.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Tabuk expedition was made clear so people could prepare.
- Ka'b's delay happened despite knowing the seriousness of the journey.
- Different chains may preserve or omit some details of the same story.
- The core message still centers on truth and repentance.
