36/1. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3941 — The Prophet’s Love of Horses
Love of Women
The Prophet’s Love of Horses in Hadith
Sunan an-Nasai : 3941
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3941
أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ حَفْصِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي قَالَ، حَدَّثَنِي إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ طَهْمَانَ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي عَرُوبَةَ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ لَمْ يَكُنْ شَىْءٌ أَحَبَّ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَعْدَ النِّسَاءِ مِنَ الْخَيْلِ .
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
Nothing was dearer to the Messenger of Allah after women than horses.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3941In-book reference : Book 36, Hadith 3English translation : Vol. 4, Book 36, Hadith 3393
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3941
This hadith about the Prophet’s love of horses is brief, but its message is clear. Anas bin Malik said that nothing was dearer to the Messenger of Allah after women than horses. The report tells us about a personal preference of the Prophet in simple words. It places horses immediately after women among the things that were especially dear to him. The hadith does not explain why horses held this place, so the safest reading is to stay with what Anas actually reported. It does not ask us to add a story, a ruling, or a reason that is not stated. For readers searching for a hadith about horses, this narration shows that horses had a strong place in the Prophet’s affection. It also shows how the Companions preserved even short details about his likes and daily life.
What we learn from this hadith
- Horses were especially dear to the Messenger of Allah.
- The hadith ranks horses after women in the Prophet’s stated affection.
- Short reports can preserve meaningful details about the Prophet’s personal life.
- The text should be understood without inventing reasons that it does not mention.
