Sahih al-Bukhari #2900
Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad)
The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُسْلِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ زَكَرِيَّاءَ بْنِ أَبِي زَائِدَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنِ الْبَرَاءِ بْنِ عَازِبٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ بَعَثَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم رَهْطًا مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ إِلَى أَبِي رَافِعٍ لِيَقْتُلُوهُ، فَانْطَلَقَ رَجُلٌ مِنْهُمْ فَدَخَلَ حِصْنَهُمْ قَالَ فَدَخَلْتُ فِي مَرْبِطِ دَوَابَّ لَهُمْ، قَالَ وَأَغْلَقُوا باب الْحِصْنِ، ثُمَّ إِنَّهُمْ فَقَدُوا حِمَارًا لَهُمْ، فَخَرَجُوا يَطْلُبُونَهُ، فَخَرَجْتُ فِيمَنْ خَرَجَ أُرِيهِمْ أَنَّنِي أَطْلُبُهُ مَعَهُمْ، فَوَجَدُوا الْحِمَارَ، فَدَخَلُوا وَدَخَلْتُ، وَأَغْلَقُوا باب الْحِصْنِ لَيْلاً، فَوَضَعُوا الْمَفَاتِيحَ فِي كَوَّةٍ حَيْثُ أَرَاهَا، فَلَمَّا نَامُوا أَخَذْتُ الْمَفَاتِيحَ، فَفَتَحْتُ باب الْحِصْنِ ثُمَّ دَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَبَا رَافِعٍ. فَأَجَابَنِي، فَتَعَمَّدْتُ الصَّوْتَ، فَضَرَبْتُهُ فَصَاحَ، فَخَرَجْتُ ثُمَّ جِئْتُ، ثُمَّ رَجَعْتُ كَأَنِّي مُغِيثٌ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَبَا رَافِعٍ، وَغَيَّرْتُ صَوْتِي، فَقَالَ مَا لَكَ لأُمِّكَ الْوَيْلُ قُلْتُ مَا شَأْنُكَ قَالَ لاَ أَدْرِي مَنْ دَخَلَ عَلَىَّ فَضَرَبَنِي. قَالَ فَوَضَعْتُ سَيْفِي فِي بَطْنِهِ، ثُمَّ تَحَامَلْتُ عَلَيْهِ حَتَّى قَرَعَ الْعَظْمَ، ثُمَّ خَرَجْتُ وَأَنَا دَهِشٌ، فَأَتَيْتُ سُلَّمًا لَهُمْ لأَنْزِلَ مِنْهُ فَوَقَعْتُ فَوُثِئَتْ رِجْلِي، فَخَرَجْتُ إِلَى أَصْحَابِي فَقُلْتُ مَا أَنَا بِبَارِحٍ حَتَّى أَسْمَعَ النَّاعِيَةَ، فَمَا بَرِحْتُ حَتَّى سَمِعْتُ نَعَايَا أَبِي رَافِعٍ تَاجِرِ أَهْلِ الْحِجَازِ. قَالَ فَقُمْتُ وَمَا بِي قَلَبَةٌ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَخْبَرْنَاهُ.
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sent a group of Ansari men to kill Abu-Rafi`. One of them set out and entered their
(i.e. the enemies) fort. That man said, "I hid myself in a stable for their animals. They closed the fort
gate. Later they lost a donkey of theirs, so they went out in its search. I, too, went out along with them,
pretending to look for it. They found the donkey and entered their fort. And I, too, entered along with
them. They closed the gate of the fort at night, and kept its keys in a small window where I could see
them. When those people slept, I took the keys and opened the gate of the fort and came upon Abu
Rafi` and said, 'O Abu Rafi`. When he replied me, I proceeded towards the voice and hit him. He
shouted and I came out to come back, pretending to be a helper. I said, 'O Abu Rafi`, changing the
tone of my voice. He asked me, 'What do you want; woe to your mother?' I asked him, 'What has
happened to you?' He said, 'I don't know who came to me and hit me.' Then I drove my sword into his
belly and pushed it forcibly till it touched the bone. Then I came out, filled with puzzlement and went
towards a ladder of theirs in order to get down but I fell down and sprained my foot. I came to my
companions and said, 'I will not leave till I hear the wailing of the women.' So, I did not leave till I
heard the women bewailing Abu Rafi`, the merchant pf Hijaz. Then I got up, feeling no ailment, (and
we proceeded) till we came upon the Prophet (ﷺ) and informed him."
Narrated by Narrated Al-Bara bin Azib:
Context
This hadith recounts an event where the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) sent a group of Ansar to confront Abu Rafi`, an enemy of Islam. One of the men infiltrated the enemy's fort by pretending to search for a lost donkey. After gaining access, he attacked Abu Rafi`, leading to his death. This story highlights themes of strategy and bravery in the face of opposition.
Modern Application
The principle of strategic planning and courage can be applied in various aspects of life today, such as in business or personal challenges. Just as the man in the hadith used clever tactics to achieve his goal, individuals can benefit from thoughtful preparation and bravery when facing obstacles.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Jihad and Prophetic Conduct because it illustrates the strategic approach taken in a military context and reflects the actions of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in guiding his companions.
Related Ayahs
سُورَةُ مُحَمَّدٍ
Muhammad (Muhammad)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
فَإِذَا لَقِيتُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَضَرْبَ ٱلرِّقَابِ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَثْخَنتُمُوهُمْ فَشُدُّوا۟ ٱلْوَثَاقَ فَإِمَّا مَنًّۢا بَعْدُ وَإِمَّا فِدَآءً حَتَّىٰ تَضَعَ ٱلْحَرْبُ أَوْزَارَهَا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ وَلَوْ يَشَآءُ ٱللَّهُ لَٱنتَصَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَا۟ بَعْضَكُم بِبَعْضٍۢ ۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَلَن يُضِلَّ أَعْمَٰلَهُمْ
So when you meet those who disbelieve [in battle], strike [their] necks until, when you have inflicted slaughter upon them, then secure their bonds, and either [confer] favor afterwards or ransom [them] until the war lays down its burdens. That [is the command]. And if Allah had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them [Himself], but [He ordered armed struggle] to test some of you by means of others. And those who are killed in the cause of Allah - never will He waste their deeds.
سُورَةُ التَّوۡبَةِ
At-Tawba (The Repentance)
2 ayahs
لَّقَد تَّابَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ وَٱلْمُهَٰجِرِينَ وَٱلْأَنصَارِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُ فِى سَاعَةِ ٱلْعُسْرَةِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا كَادَ يَزِيغُ قُلُوبُ فَرِيقٍۢ مِّنْهُمْ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ بِهِمْ رَءُوفٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ
Allah has already forgiven the Prophet and the Muhajireen and the Ansar who followed him in the hour of difficulty after the hearts of a party of them had almost inclined [to doubt], and then He forgave them. Indeed, He was to them Kind and Merciful.
ثُمَّ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ سَكِينَتَهُۥ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِۦ وَعَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَأَنزَلَ جُنُودًۭا لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا وَعَذَّبَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ۚ وَذَٰلِكَ جَزَآءُ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ
Then Allah sent down His tranquillity upon His Messenger and upon the believers and sent down soldiers angels whom you did not see and punished those who disbelieved. And that is the recompense of the disbelievers.
سُورَةُ القَصَصِ
Al-Qasas (The Stories)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
وَدَخَلَ ٱلْمَدِينَةَ عَلَىٰ حِينِ غَفْلَةٍۢ مِّنْ أَهْلِهَا فَوَجَدَ فِيهَا رَجُلَيْنِ يَقْتَتِلَانِ هَٰذَا مِن شِيعَتِهِۦ وَهَٰذَا مِنْ عَدُوِّهِۦ ۖ فَٱسْتَغَٰثَهُ ٱلَّذِى مِن شِيعَتِهِۦ عَلَى ٱلَّذِى مِنْ عَدُوِّهِۦ فَوَكَزَهُۥ مُوسَىٰ فَقَضَىٰ عَلَيْهِ ۖ قَالَ هَٰذَا مِنْ عَمَلِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ عَدُوٌّۭ مُّضِلٌّۭ مُّبِينٌۭ
And he entered the city at a time of inattention by its people and found therein two men fighting: one from his faction and one from among his enemy. And the one from his faction called for help to him against the one from his enemy, so Moses struck him and [unintentionally] killed him. [Moses] said, "This is from the work of Satan. Indeed, he is a manifest, misleading enemy."
سُورَةُ آلِ عِمۡرَانَ
Aal-i-Imraan (The Family of Imraan)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
۞ إِذْ تُصْعِدُونَ وَلَا تَلْوُۥنَ عَلَىٰٓ أَحَدٍۢ وَٱلرَّسُولُ يَدْعُوكُمْ فِىٓ أُخْرَىٰكُمْ فَأَثَٰبَكُمْ غَمًّۢا بِغَمٍّۢ لِّكَيْلَا تَحْزَنُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا فَاتَكُمْ وَلَا مَآ أَصَٰبَكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
[Remember] when you [fled and] climbed [the mountain] without looking aside at anyone while the Messenger was calling you from behind. So Allah repaid you with distress upon distress so you would not grieve for that which had escaped you [of victory and spoils of war] or [for] that which had befallen you [of injury and death]. And Allah is [fully] Acquainted with what you do.
Common Words
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من7x
على6x
ٱلله4x
ٱلذين3x
فى3x
ما3x
كفروا2x
حتى2x
بعد2x
منهم2x
تاب2x
ثم2x
إنه2x
هذا2x
شيعته2x
عدوه2x
ٱلذى2x
ولا2x
فإذا1x
لقيتم1x
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About Sahih al-Bukhari
This hadith is #2900 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Al-Bara bin Azib:.