Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Sahih. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sahih al-Bukhari, which contains 7,277 hadiths across 97 books. It is hadith number 2998 in the Book of One-fifth of Booty to the Cause of Allah (Khumus).

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#2997

#2998

Sahih al-Bukhari

#2999

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Sahih al-Bukhari #2998

Q: What is Sahih al-Bukhari 2998 about?

This hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of One-fifth of Booty to the Cause of Allah (Khumus)), narrated by Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari:, states: "A bedouin asked the Prophet, "A man may fight for the sake of booty, and another may fight so that he may be mentioned by the people, and a third may fight to show his position (i.e. bravery); which…"

One-fifth of Booty to the Cause of Allah (Khumus)

Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا غُنْدَرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عَمْرٍو، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا وَائِلٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مُوسَى الأَشْعَرِيُّ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ أَعْرَابِيٌّ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم الرَّجُلُ يُقَاتِلُ لِلْمَغْنَمِ، وَالرَّجُلُ يُقَاتِلُ لِيُذْكَرَ، وَيُقَاتِلُ لِيُرَى مَكَانُهُ، مَنْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَقَالَ ‏ "‏ مَنْ قَاتَلَ لِتَكُونَ كَلِمَةُ اللَّهِ هِيَ الْعُلْيَا فَهْوَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ‏"‏‏.‏

A bedouin asked the Prophet, "A man may fight for the sake of booty, and another may fight so that he may be mentioned by the people, and a third may fight to show his position (i.e. bravery); which of these regarded as fighting in Allah's Cause?" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "He who fights so that Allah's Word (i.e. Islam) should be superior, fights for Allah's Cause."

Narrated by Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari:

Context

In this hadith, a Bedouin approached the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to inquire about the motivations behind fighting. He presented three different reasons: for booty, for recognition, and for bravery. The Prophet ﷺ clarified that true fighting in the way of Allah is when one fights to ensure that Allah's word is supreme. This highlights the importance of intention in actions, particularly in the context of Jihad.

Modern Application

In today's context, this hadith emphasizes the significance of having pure intentions in our actions. Whether in community service, activism, or personal endeavors, striving for a higher purpose can transform our efforts into acts of worship and service to humanity.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Jihad because it defines the true purpose of fighting in the way of Allah as striving for His word to be supreme.

Jihad

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ النِّسَاءِ

An-Nisaa (The Women)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

3 ayahs

۞ فَلْيُقَٰتِلْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَشْرُونَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِٱلْءَاخِرَةِ ۚ وَمَن يُقَٰتِلْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَيُقْتَلْ أَوْ يَغْلِبْ فَسَوْفَ نُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًۭا

So let those fight in the cause of Allah who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter. And he who fights in the cause of Allah and is killed or achieves victory - We will bestow upon him a great reward.

ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ يُقَٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يُقَٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱلطَّٰغُوتِ فَقَٰتِلُوٓا۟ أَوْلِيَآءَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ ۖ إِنَّ كَيْدَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ كَانَ ضَعِيفًا

Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who disbelieve fight in the cause of Taghut. So fight against the allies of Satan. Indeed, the plot of Satan has ever been weak.

وَمَا لَكُمْ لَا تُقَٰتِلُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ وَٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلْوِلْدَٰنِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْ هَٰذِهِ ٱلْقَرْيَةِ ٱلظَّالِمِ أَهْلُهَا وَٱجْعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّۭا وَٱجْعَل لَّنَا مِن لَّدُنكَ نَصِيرًا

And what is [the matter] with you that you fight not in the cause of Allah and [for] the oppressed among men, women, and children who say, "Our Lord, take us out of this city of oppressive people and appoint for us from Yourself a protector and appoint for us from Yourself a helper?"

سُورَةُ آلِ عِمۡرَانَ

Aal-i-Imraan (The Family of Imraan)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَلِيَعْلَمَ ٱلَّذِينَ نَافَقُوا۟ ۚ وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا۟ قَٰتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَوِ ٱدْفَعُوا۟ ۖ قَالُوا۟ لَوْ نَعْلَمُ قِتَالًۭا لَّٱتَّبَعْنَٰكُمْ ۗ هُمْ لِلْكُفْرِ يَوْمَئِذٍ أَقْرَبُ مِنْهُمْ لِلْإِيمَٰنِ ۚ يَقُولُونَ بِأَفْوَٰهِهِم مَّا لَيْسَ فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَكْتُمُونَ

And that He might make evident those who are hypocrites. For it was said to them, "Come, fight in the way of Allah or [at least] defend." They said, "If we had known [there would be] fighting, we would have followed you." They were nearer to disbelief that day than to faith, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allah is most Knowing of what they conceal -

سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ

Al-Baqara (The Cow)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَقَٰتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌۭ

And fight in the cause of Allah and know that Allah is Hearing and Knowing.

Common Words

114 total82 unique12 repeated

فى8x

سبيل7x

ٱلله7x

ٱلذين4x

من4x

أو2x

يقتلون2x

ٱلشيطن2x

يقولون2x

وٱجعل2x

لنا2x

لدنك2x

فليقتل1x

يشرون1x

ٱلحيوة1x

ٱلدنيا1x

بٱلءاخرة1x

ومن1x

يقتل1x

فيقتل1x

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About Sahih al-Bukhari

This hadith is #2998 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of One-fifth of Booty to the Cause of Allah (Khumus). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari:.

Browse all Sahih al-Bukhari All Hadith Collections

Sahih al-Bukhari #2998

Context

Modern Application

Topics

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Common Words

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About Sahih al-Bukhari

About This Hadith