37/1. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3966 — Shahadah, Prayer, and Qiblah
The Prohibition of Bloodshed
Shahadah, Prayer, Qiblah, and the Protection of Muslims
Sunan an-Nasai : 3966
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3966
أَخْبَرَنَا هَارُونُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ بَكَّارِ بْنِ بِلاَلٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عِيسَى، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ سُمَيْعٍ - قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حُمَيْدٌ الطَّوِيلُ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُقَاتِلَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ حَتَّى يَشْهَدُوا أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ فَإِذَا شَهِدُوا أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ وَصَلَّوْا صَلاَتَنَا وَاسْتَقْبَلُوا قِبْلَتَنَا وَأَكَلُوا ذَبَائِحَنَا فَقَدْ حَرُمَتْ عَلَيْنَا دِمَاؤُهُمْ وَأَمْوَالُهُمْ إِلاَّ بِحَقِّهَا " .
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
The Prophet [SAW] said: "I have been commanded to fight the idolators until they bear witness to La ilaha illallah (there is none worthy of worship except Allah) and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. If they bear witness to La ilaha illallah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, and they pray as we pray and face our Qiblah, and eat our slaughtered animals, then their blood and wealth becomes forbidden to us except for a right that is due."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3966In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 1English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 3971
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3966
This hadith about Muslim identity names clear outward signs: bearing witness that none is worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, praying as the Muslims pray, facing their Qiblah, and eating their slaughtered animals. The text then states that blood and wealth become forbidden except where a right is due. The wording joins belief expressed by the shahadah with visible participation in Muslim worship and community life. It also places a limit in the phrase "except for a right that is due," so the protection described is not presented without qualification. The report does not explain every legal detail of that exception. Its direct message is that these stated signs establish recognized belonging and protection within the Muslim community.
What we learn from this hadith
- The shahadah is the first sign named in the hadith.
- Prayer and facing the Qiblah are public signs of Muslim belonging.
- Life and wealth are protected except where a due right applies.
