54/4. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2888d — At the Brink of Hell-Fire
If Two Muslims Confront One Another With Their Swords
Hadith About Attacking a Muslim with a Weapon
Sahih Muslim : 2888d
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2888d
وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا غُنْدَرٌ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، وَابْنُ بَشَّارٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنْ رِبْعِيِّ بْنِ حِرَاشٍ، عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِذَا الْمُسْلِمَانِ حَمَلَ أَحَدُهُمَا عَلَى أَخِيهِ السِّلاَحَ فَهُمَا فِي جُرُفِ جَهَنَّمَ فَإِذَا قَتَلَ أَحَدُهُمَا صَاحِبَهُ دَخَلاَهَا جَمِيعًا " .
Abu Bakra Narrated from:
Abu Bakra reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: When two Muslims (confront each other) and the one amongst them attacks his brother with a weapon, both of them are at the brink of Hell-Fire. And when one of them kills his companion, both of them get into Hell-Fire.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2888dIn-book reference : Book 54, Hadith 21USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 41, Hadith 6901
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2888d
This hadith about Muslim bloodshed uses a powerful image. Abu Bakra reported that when two Muslims confront each other and one attacks his brother with a weapon, both are at the brink of Hell-Fire. If one kills the other, both enter it. The text calls the other person his brother, which makes the warning even more serious. The hadith is focused on armed aggression between Muslims, not small disputes or ordinary disagreement. Its message is to stop before violence begins. A believer should not let anger, group pressure, or rivalry push him to a weapon against his Muslim brother. Clearly.
What we learn from this hadith
- A Muslim should not attack his brother with a weapon.
- The hadith describes such fighting as a path toward Hell-Fire.
- Violence between Muslims is treated as a serious spiritual danger.
- The word brother reminds the reader of the bond that should stop bloodshed.
