The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا مُعَلَّى بْنُ أَسَدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبٌ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ أَبِي قِلاَبَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَهْطًا، مِنْ عُكْلٍ ثَمَانِيَةً قَدِمُوا عَلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَاجْتَوَوُا الْمَدِينَةَ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، ابْغِنَا رِسْلاً. قَالَ
" مَا أَجِدُ لَكُمْ إِلاَّ أَنْ تَلْحَقُوا بِالذَّوْدِ ". فَانْطَلَقُوا فَشَرِبُوا مِنْ أَبْوَالِهَا وَأَلْبَانِهَا حَتَّى صَحُّوا وَسَمِنُوا، وَقَتَلُوا الرَّاعِيَ، وَاسْتَاقُوا الذَّوْدَ، وَكَفَرُوا بَعْدَ إِسْلاَمِهِمْ، فَأَتَى الصَّرِيخُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم، فَبَعَثَ الطَّلَبَ، فَمَا تَرَجَّلَ النَّهَارُ حَتَّى أُتِيَ بِهِمْ، فَقَطَّعَ أَيْدِيَهُمْ وَأَرْجُلَهُمْ، ثُمَّ أَمَرَ بِمَسَامِيرَ فَأُحْمِيَتْ فَكَحَلَهُمْ بِهَا، وَطَرَحَهُمْ بِالْحَرَّةِ، يَسْتَسْقُونَ فَمَا يُسْقَوْنَ حَتَّى مَاتُوا. قَالَ أَبُو قِلاَبَةَ قَتَلُوا وَسَرَقُوا وَحَارَبُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَسَعَوْا فِي الأَرْضِ فَسَادًا.
A group of eight men from the tribe of 'Ukil came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and then they found the climate of
Medina unsuitable for them. So, they said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Provide us with some milk." Allah's
Apostle said, "I recommend that you should join the herd of camels." So they went and drank the
urine and the milk of the camels (as a medicine) till they became healthy and fat. Then they killed the
shepherd and drove away the camels, and they became unbelievers after whey were Muslims. When
the Prophet (ﷺ) was informed by a shouter for help, he sent some men in their pursuit, and before the sun
rose high, they were brought, and he had their hands and feet cut off. Then he ordered for nails which
were heated and passed over their eyes, and whey were left in the Harra (i.e. rocky land in Medina).
They asked for water, and nobody provided them with water till they died (Abu Qilaba, a sub-narrator
said, "They committed murder and theft and fought against Allah and His Apostle, and spread evil in
the land.")
Narrated by Narrated Anas bin Malik:
Context
This hadith recounts a troubling incident involving a group of men from the tribe of 'Ukil who, after seeking help from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), turned to treachery. They initially sought sustenance but ended up committing murder and theft. The Prophet's response was severe, reflecting the seriousness of their actions against the community and divine law.
Modern Application
In modern contexts, this story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of betrayal and wrongdoing. It emphasizes the importance of trust and integrity within communities and the severe repercussions of violating that trust.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Divine Justice and Punishments (Hudud) because it demonstrates the application of justice for severe crimes and the consequences of actions that threaten societal order.
They are the ones who disbelieved and obstructed you from al-Masjid al-Haram while the offering was prevented from reaching its place of sacrifice. And if not for believing men and believing women whom you did not know - that you might trample them and there would befall you because of them dishonor without [your] knowledge - [you would have been permitted to enter Makkah]. [This was so] that Allah might admit to His mercy whom He willed. If they had been apart [from them], We would have punished those who disbelieved among them with painful punishment
They have been put under humiliation [by Allah] wherever they are overtaken, except for a covenant from Allah and a rope from the Muslims. And they have drawn upon themselves anger from Allah and have been put under destitution. That is because they disbelieved in the verses of Allah and killed the prophets without right. That is because they disobeyed and [habitually] transgressed.
They wish you would disbelieve as they disbelieved so you would be alike. So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate for the cause of Allah. But if they turn away, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them and take not from among them any ally or helper.
They swear by Allah that they did not say [anything against the Prophet] while they had said the word of disbelief and disbelieved after their [pretense of] Islam and planned that which they were not to attain. And they were not resentful except [for the fact] that Allah and His Messenger had enriched them of His bounty. So if they repent, it is better for them; but if they turn away, Allah will punish them with a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And there will not be for them on earth any protector or helper.
So they hamstrung the she-camel and were insolent toward the command of their Lord and said, "O Salih, bring us what you promise us, if you should be of the messengers."
This hadith is #2896 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Anas bin Malik:.