37/7. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4025 — Hirabah and the 'Ukl Incident
The Meaning of the Saying of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime: "The Recompense of Those Who
Hirabah in Islam: The 'Ukl Incident and Its Consequences
Sunan an-Nasai : 4025
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4025
أَخْبَرَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ سَعِيدِ بْنِ كَثِيرِ بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنِ الْوَلِيدِ، عَنِ الأَوْزَاعِيِّ، عَنْ يَحْيَى، عَنْ أَبِي قِلاَبَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، أَنَّ نَفَرًا، مِنْ عُكْلٍ قَدِمُوا عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَاجْتَوَوُا الْمَدِينَةَ فَأَمَرَهُمُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ يَأْتُوا إِبِلَ الصَّدَقَةِ فَيَشْرَبُوا مِنْ أَبْوَالِهَا وَأَلْبَانِهَا فَفَعَلُوا فَقَتَلُوا رَاعِيَهَا وَاسْتَاقُوهَا فَبَعَثَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي طَلَبِهِمْ - قَالَ - فَأُتِيَ بِهِمْ فَقَطَّعَ أَيْدِيَهُمْ وَأَرْجُلَهُمْ وَسَمَّرَ أَعْيُنَهُمْ وَلَمْ يَحْسِمْهُمْ وَتَرَكَهُمْ حَتَّى مَاتُوا فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ { إِنَّمَا جَزَاءُ الَّذِينَ يُحَارِبُونَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ } الآيَةَ .
Anas Narrated from:
Some people from 'Ukl came to the Prophet [SAW] but the climate of Al-Madinah did not suit them. The Prophet [SAW] told them to go to the camels that had been given in Sadaqah and drink some of their milk and urine. They did that, then they killed their herdsman and drove off the camels. The Prophet [SAW] sent (men) after them, and they were brought to him. He had their hands and feet cut off, and their eyes gouged out, and he did not have (their wounds) cauterized, and he left them to die. Then Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, revealed: "The recompense of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger."
[2] This narration says Samala .[1] Al-Mā'idah 5:33.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4025In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 60English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4030
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4025
This hadith about hirabah tells of people from 'Ukl who became ill in Madinah and were directed to the charity camels to drink their milk and urine. After they recovered, they killed the herdsman and drove away the camels. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم sent men after them, and when they were brought back, the narration describes the punishment imposed. It then says that Allah revealed the verse beginning, “The recompense of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger.” That final statement is central to this version because it connects the event with violent warfare against public order. The text contains murder, theft, and armed flight, not a simple private offense. According to Islamic scholars, applying criminal punishments belongs to lawful authority and due process. The report is historical and legal in nature, not a license for personal retaliation.
What we learn from this hadith
- The group repaid care with murder and theft.
- The narration links their actions with waging war against Allah and His Messenger.
- Punishment for such crimes is an issue of lawful public authority.
