39/28. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4194 — Why the Obedience Verse Was Revealed
The Saying Of Allah, The Most High: "And those of you (Muslims) who are in authority
Obey Allah and the Messenger: The Expedition of Abdullah bin Hudhaifah
Sunan an-Nasai : 4194
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4194
أَخْبَرَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَجَّاجٌ، قَالَ قَالَ ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ أَخْبَرَنِي يَعْلَى بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، { يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ } قَالَ نَزَلَتْ فِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ حُذَافَةَ بْنِ قَيْسِ بْنِ عَدِيٍّ بَعَثَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي سَرِيَّةٍ .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas (concerning the Verse): "O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad). That he said: This was revealed concerning 'Abdullah bin Hudhaifah bin Qais bin 'Adiyy, whom the Messenger of Allah appointed in charge of an expedition"
[2] An-Nisā' 4:49.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4194In-book reference : Book 39, Hadith 46English translation : Vol. 5, Book 39, Hadith 4199
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4194
This narration explains a setting connected by Ibn ‘Abbas to the verse, “O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger.” He says it was revealed concerning ‘Abdullah bin Hudhaifah bin Qais bin ‘Adiyy, whom the Messenger of Allah appointed over an expedition. The core topic is obedience in an appointed mission. The text identifies the person, the appointment, and the expedition, but it does not give a long account of everything that happened during that mission. For that reason, the safest explanation stays close to what Ibn ‘Abbas states. Readers searching for the reason behind the obedience verse can see that the narration links the command with a leader appointed by the Prophet for a specific expedition. It highlights the place of Prophetic appointment in organized communal action.
What we learn from this hadith
- Ibn ‘Abbas linked the obedience verse to a specific appointed commander.
- The Messenger of Allah appointed ‘Abdullah bin Hudhaifah over an expedition.
- The narration places obedience within an organized mission.
- The text identifies the setting without adding a detailed account of the expedition.
