37/9. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4040 — The Uraynah Raid and Legal Retribution
Mentioning the Differences Reported by Talhah bin Musarrif and Mu'awiyah bin Salih from Y
Uraynah Tribe Hadith: Murder, Theft, and Legal Retribution
Sunan an-Nasai : 4040
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4040
أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عَمْرِو بْنِ السَّرْحِ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، قَالَ وَأَخْبَرَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ، وَسَعِيدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، وَذَكَرَ، آخَرَ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ أَغَارَ نَاسٌ مِنْ عُرَيْنَةَ عَلَى لِقَاحِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَاسْتَاقُوهَا وَقَتَلُوا غُلاَمًا لَهُ فَبَعَثَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي آثَارِهِمْ فَأُخِذُوا فَقَطَّعَ أَيْدِيَهُمْ وَأَرْجُلَهُمْ وَسَمَلَ أَعْيُنَهُمْ .
`Urwa bin Az-Zubair Narrated from:
Some people from 'Uraynah raided the milk camels of the Messenger of Allah [SAW] and drove them off, and killed a slave of his. The Messenger of Allah [SAW] sent (men) after them, and they were caught, and he had their hands and feet cut off, and their eyes gouged out.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4040In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 75English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4045
Translation source
- Compiler:
- Imam Ahmad ibn Shu'ayb an-Nasa'i
- Translator:
- Nasiruddin al-Khattab
- Publisher:
- Darussalam Publication
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4040
This Uraynah tribe hadith reports a violent raid against the Messenger of Allah’s camels. The attackers drove the animals away and killed one of his servants. Men were then sent after them, they were captured, and severe punishment was carried out. The main point in the text is that the case involved more than ordinary theft. It included killing, armed aggression, and taking property by force. The narration therefore connects the punishment with a serious public crime. It should not be read as permission for personal revenge. According to Islamic scholars, criminal penalties belong to lawful authority and a proper judicial process. The hadith itself focuses on the attackers’ acts, their capture, and the punishment that followed.
What we learn from this hadith
- Violent theft joined with murder is treated as a grave public crime.
- The offenders were pursued and captured after the attack.
- Legal punishment is not a license for private revenge or vigilante action.
