37/1. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3983 — Protection Linked to Shahadah
The Prohibition of Bloodshed
Hadith on Shahadah and the Protection of Blood and Wealth
Sunan an-Nasai : 3983
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3983
أَخْبَرَنِي هَارُونُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ بَكْرٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَاتِمُ بْنُ أَبِي صَغِيرَةَ، عَنِ النُّعْمَانِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ، أَنَّ عَمْرَو بْنَ أَوْسٍ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ أَبَاهُ أَوْسًا قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أُقَاتِلَ النَّاسَ حَتَّى يَشْهَدُوا أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ ثُمَّ تَحْرُمُ دِمَاؤُهُمْ وَأَمْوَالُهُمْ إِلاَّ بِحَقِّهَا " .
An-Nu'man bin Salim Narrated from:
'Amr bin Aws told him that his father Aws said: "The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: 'I have been commanded to fight the people until they bear witness to La ilaha illallah (there is none worthy of worship except Allah), then their blood and their wealth become forbidden to me, except for a right that is due."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3983In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 18English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 3988
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3983
This hadith about shahadah states the teaching in a direct and compact form. The Messenger of Allah said that he had been commanded to fight until people bore witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. After that testimony, their blood and wealth became forbidden to him, except for a right that was due. The main point is not a general license to harm people. The wording moves toward protection: once the declaration is made, life and property are treated as protected. The exception also shows that the text recognizes rights and accountability rather than unrestricted immunity. According to Islamic scholars, statements about fighting are read within lawful authority, treaties, justice, and the wider body of Islamic teaching. For readers searching for “La ilaha illallah hadith explanation,” this narration centers on tawhid, outward profession of faith, and the legal protection tied to that profession.
What we learn from this hadith
- Bearing witness to La ilaha illallah is the central condition named in the text.
- The narration links the testimony of faith with protection of blood and wealth.
- The protection has a stated exception for a right that is due.
- The command is not presented as permission for private individuals to use force.
