The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ أَفْلَحَ، عَنْ أَبِي مُحَمَّدٍ، مَوْلَى أَبِي قَتَادَةَ عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ خَرَجْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَامَ حُنَيْنٍ، فَلَمَّا الْتَقَيْنَا كَانَتْ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ جَوْلَةٌ، فَرَأَيْتُ رَجُلاً مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ عَلاَ رَجُلاً مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ، فَاسْتَدَرْتُ حَتَّى أَتَيْتُهُ مِنْ وَرَائِهِ حَتَّى ضَرَبْتُهُ بِالسَّيْفِ عَلَى حَبْلِ عَاتِقِهِ، فَأَقْبَلَ عَلَىَّ فَضَمَّنِي ضَمَّةً وَجَدْتُ مِنْهَا رِيحَ الْمَوْتِ، ثُمَّ أَدْرَكَهُ الْمَوْتُ فَأَرْسَلَنِي، فَلَحِقْتُ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ فَقُلْتُ مَا بَالُ النَّاسِ قَالَ أَمْرُ اللَّهِ، ثُمَّ إِنَّ النَّاسَ رَجَعُوا، وَجَلَسَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ " مَنْ قَتَلَ قَتِيلاً لَهُ عَلَيْهِ بَيِّنَةٌ فَلَهُ سَلَبُهُ ". فَقُمْتُ فَقُلْتُ مَنْ يَشْهَدُ لِي ثُمَّ جَلَسْتُ ثُمَّ قَالَ " مَنْ قَتَلَ قَتِيلاً لَهُ عَلَيْهِ بَيِّنَةٌ فَلَهُ سَلَبُهُ " فَقُمْتُ فَقُلْتُ مَنْ يَشْهَدُ لِي ثُمَّ جَلَسْتُ، ثُمَّ قَالَ الثَّالِثَةَ مِثْلَهُ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ صَدَقَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، وَسَلَبُهُ عِنْدِي فَأَرْضِهِ عَنِّي. فَقَالَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ الصِّدِّيقُ ـ رضى الله عنه لاَهَا اللَّهِ إِذًا يَعْمِدُ إِلَى أَسَدٍ مِنْ أُسْدِ اللَّهِ يُقَاتِلُ عَنِ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُعْطِيكَ سَلَبَهُ. فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " صَدَقَ ". فَأَعْطَاهُ فَبِعْتُ الدِّرْعَ، فَابْتَعْتُ بِهِ مَخْرِفًا فِي بَنِي سَلِمَةَ، فَإِنَّهُ لأَوَّلُ مَالٍ تَأَثَّلْتُهُ فِي الإِسْلاَمِ.
We set out in the company of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) on the day (of the battle) of Hunain. When we faced the
enemy, the Muslims retreated and I saw a pagan throwing himself over a Muslim. I turned around and
came upon him from behind and hit him on the shoulder with the sword He (i.e. the pagan) came
towards me and seized me so violently that I felt as if it were death itself, but death overtook him and
he released me. I followed `Umar bin Al Khattab and asked (him), "What is wrong with the people
(fleeing)?" He replied, "This is the Will of Allah," After the people returned, the Prophet (ﷺ) sat and said,
"Anyone who has killed an enemy and has a proof of that, will posses his spoils." I got up and said,
"Who will be a witness for me?" and then sat down. The Prophet (ﷺ) again said, "Anyone who has killed
an enemy and has proof of that, will possess his spoils." I (again) got up and said, "Who will be a
witness for me?" and sat down. Then the Prophet (ﷺ) said the same for the third time. I again got up, and
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "O Abu Qatada! What is your story?" Then I narrated the whole story to him. A
man (got up and) said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! He is speaking the truth, and the spoils of the killed man
are with me. So please compensate him on my behalf." On that Abu Bakr As-Siddiq said, "No, by
Allah, he (i.e. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) ) will not agree to give you the spoils gained by one of Allah's Lions
who fights on the behalf of Allah and His Apostle." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Abu Bakr has spoken the
truth." So, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) gave the spoils to me. I sold that armor (i.e. the spoils) and with its price I
bought a garden at Bani Salima, and this was my first property which I gained after my conversion to
Islam.
Narrated by Narrated Abu Qatada:
Context
This hadith recounts an event from the Battle of Hunain, where Abu Qatada describes his experience of killing an enemy and seeking recognition for his act. The Prophet (ﷺ) emphasizes the importance of having witnesses to validate claims of bravery in battle. The narrative highlights themes of valor, community support, and the significance of justice in recognizing contributions during warfare.
Modern Application
In contemporary society, this hadith serves as a reminder of the importance of community recognition and support for individuals who contribute positively. It encourages people to acknowledge and validate the efforts of others in various fields, fostering a sense of unity and appreciation.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Community and Martyrdom because it reflects the communal aspect of recognizing contributions in battle and the honor associated with martyrdom in the service of faith.
Allah has already given you victory in many regions and [even] on the day of Hunayn, when your great number pleased you, but it did not avail you at all, and the earth was confining for you with its vastness; then you turned back, fleeing.
If you do not aid the Prophet - Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out [of Makkah] as one of two, when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, "Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us." And Allah sent down his tranquillity upon him and supported him with angels you did not see and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest, while the word of Allah - that is the highest. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.
Why [is it that] when a [single] disaster struck you [on the day of Uhud], although you had struck [the enemy in the battle of Badr] with one twice as great, you said, "From where is this?" Say, "It is from yourselves." Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.
[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.
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.
This hadith is #3013 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 Qatada:.