28/13. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3584 — Ibn Umar Takes Part in a Prophetic Horse Race
Making Horses Lean For Racing
Horse Racing Hadith: Ibn Umar Joins an Organized Race
Sunan an-Nasai : 3584
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3584
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، وَالْحَارِثُ بْنُ مِسْكِينٍ، قِرَاءَةً عَلَيْهِ وَأَنَا أَسْمَعُ، عَنِ ابْنِ الْقَاسِمِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي مَالِكٌ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم سَابَقَ بَيْنَ الْخَيْلِ الَّتِي قَدْ أُضْمِرَتْ مِنَ الْحَفْيَاءِ وَكَانَ أَمَدُهَا ثَنِيَّةَ الْوَدَاعِ وَسَابَقَ بَيْنَ الْخَيْلِ الَّتِي لَمْ تُضْمَرْ مِنَ الثَّنِيَّةِ إِلَى مَسْجِدِ بَنِي زُرَيْقٍ وَأَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ كَانَ مِمَّنْ سَابَقَ بِهَا .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah organized a race for horses that had been made lean, from Al-Hafya' and its finish line was Thaniyyat Al-Wada', and he organized another race for horses that had not been made lean, from Ath-Thaniyyah to the Masjid of Banu Zuraiq, and 'Abdullah was among those who took part in the race.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3584In-book reference : Book 28, Hadith 24English translation : Vol. 4, Book 28, Hadith 3614
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3584
This hadith about horse racing repeats the clear arrangement of two courses. Horses that had been made lean raced from Al-Hafya to Thaniyyat Al-Wada, while horses that had not been made lean raced from Ath-Thaniyyah to the Masjid of Banu Zuraiq. It also adds that Abdullah ibn Umar was among those who took part. The report therefore gives both the structure of the race and the participation of a Companion. Its core topic is organized horse racing, with different distances based on the horses' preparation. The text does not discuss modern sports or every type of competition, so the explanation should stay close to what it says. It shows planning, known boundaries, and direct participation in a race arranged by the Messenger of Allah.
What we learn from this hadith
- Horse races were arranged with known routes and finish lines.
- Prepared and unprepared horses raced over different courses.
- Abdullah ibn Umar personally took part in the race.
