37/8. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4032 — The Full 'Ukl or 'Uraynah Account
Mentioning the Differences Reported from Humaid, from Anas bin Malik
The 'Ukl or 'Uraynah Hadith: From Care to Violent Betrayal
Sunan an-Nasai : 4032
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4032
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ زُرَيْعٍ - قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا قَتَادَةُ، أَنَّ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ، حَدَّثَهُمْ أَنَّ نَاسًا أَوْ رِجَالاً مِنْ عُكْلٍ أَوْ عُرَيْنَةَ قَدِمُوا عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّا أَهْلُ ضَرْعٍ وَلَمْ نَكُنْ أَهْلَ رِيفٍ . فَاسْتَوْخَمُوا الْمَدِينَةَ فَأَمَرَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِذَوْدٍ وَرَاعٍ وَأَمَرَهُمْ أَنْ يَخْرُجُوا فِيهَا فَيَشْرَبُوا مِنْ لَبَنِهَا وَأَبْوَالِهَا فَلَمَّا صَحُّوا - وَكَانُوا بِنَاحِيَةِ الْحَرَّةِ - كَفَرُوا بَعْدَ إِسْلاَمِهِمْ وَقَتَلُوا رَاعِيَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَاسْتَاقُوا الذَّوْدَ فَبَعَثَ الطَّلَبَ فِي آثَارِهِمْ فَأُتِيَ بِهِمْ فَسَمَّرَ أَعْيُنَهُمْ وَقَطَّعَ أَيْدِيَهُمْ وَأَرْجُلَهُمْ ثُمَّ تَرَكَهُمْ فِي الْحَرَّةِ عَلَى حَالِهِمْ حَتَّى مَاتُوا .
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
Some people or some men from 'Ukl, or 'Uraynah came to the Messenger of Allah [SAW] and said: "O Messenger of Allah, we are herdsmen, not tillers," the climate of Al-Madinah did not suit them. So the Messenger of Allah [SAW] ordered that they be allocated some camels and a herdsman, and he told them to go out with them and drink their milk and urine.When they recovered and they were in the vicinity of Al-Harrah, they reverted to disbelief after their Islam, killed the herdsman of the Messenger of Allah [SAW] and drove off the camels. He sent (men) after them and they were brought, and he had their eyes gouged out, and their hands and feet cut off. Then he left them in Al-Harrah in that state until they died."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4032In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 67English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4037
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4032
This detailed 'Ukl or 'Uraynah hadith begins with men explaining that they were herdsmen rather than farmers and that Madinah's climate did not suit them. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم assigned camels and a herdsman and told them to drink the milk and urine. When they recovered near Al-Harrah, they returned to disbelief after Islam, killed the Prophet's herdsman, and drove off the camels. A pursuit was sent, they were brought back, and the narration records their punishment and death in Al-Harrah. The central topic is hirabah: murder, theft, betrayal, and hostile action against public safety. The report also preserves the uncertainty between 'Ukl and 'Uraynah. According to Islamic scholars, such punishments are the responsibility of lawful rulers and courts after due process, never private individuals.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم provided both camels and a herdsman in response to their condition.
- After recovering, the men apostatized, killed the herdsman, and stole the camels.
- The narration preserves the name as 'Ukl or 'Uraynah rather than choosing one.
