Military Expeditions led by the Prophet (pbuh) (Al-Maghaazi)
Sahih
The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَانُ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، وَيُونُسُ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ، أَنَّهُ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ الْمِسْوَرَ بْنَ مَخْرَمَةَ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ عَمْرَو بْنَ عَوْفٍ وَهْوَ حَلِيفٌ لِبَنِي عَامِرِ بْنِ لُؤَىٍّ، وَكَانَ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَعَثَ أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ بْنَ الْجَرَّاحِ إِلَى الْبَحْرَيْنِ يَأْتِي بِجِزْيَتِهَا، وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم هُوَ صَالَحَ أَهْلَ الْبَحْرَيْنِ، وَأَمَّرَ عَلَيْهِمِ الْعَلاَءَ بْنَ الْحَضْرَمِيِّ، فَقَدِمَ أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ بِمَالٍ مِنَ الْبَحْرَيْنِ فَسَمِعَتِ الأَنْصَارُ بِقُدُومِ أَبِي عُبَيْدَةَ، فَوَافَوْا صَلاَةَ الْفَجْرِ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم، فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفَ تَعَرَّضُوا لَهُ، فَتَبَسَّمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حِينَ رَآهُمْ ثُمَّ قَالَ " أَظُنُّكُمْ سَمِعْتُمْ أَنَّ أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ قَدِمَ بِشَىْءٍ ". قَالُوا أَجَلْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ. قَالَ " فَأَبْشِرُوا وَأَمِّلُوا مَا يَسُرُّكُمْ، فَوَاللَّهِ مَا الْفَقْرَ أَخْشَى عَلَيْكُمْ، وَلَكِنِّي أَخْشَى أَنْ تُبْسَطَ عَلَيْكُمُ الدُّنْيَا كَمَا بُسِطَتْ عَلَى مَنْ قَبْلَكُمْ، فَتَنَافَسُوهَا كَمَا تَنَافَسُوهَا، وَتُهْلِكَكُمْ كَمَا أَهْلَكَتْهُمْ ".
That `Amr bin `Auf, who was an ally of Bani 'Amir bin Luai and one of those who fought at Badr in
the company of the Prophet (ﷺ) , said, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sent Abu 'Ubaida bin Al-Jarrah to Bahrain to bring
the Jizya taxation from its people, for Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had made a peace treaty with the people of
Bahrain and appointed Al-`Ala' bin Al-Hadrami as their ruler. So, Abu 'Ubaida arrived with the
money from Bahrain. When the Ansar heard of the arrival of Abu 'Ubaida (on the next day) they
offered the morning prayer with the Prophet (ﷺ) and when the morning prayer had finished, they
presented themselves before him. On seeing the Ansar, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) smiled and said, "I think you
have heard that Abu 'Ubaida has brought something?" They replied, "Indeed, it is so, O Allah's
Apostle!" He said, "Be happy, and hope for what will please you. By Allah, I am not afraid that you
will be poor, but I fear that worldly wealth will be bestowed upon you as it was bestowed upon those
who lived before you. So you will compete amongst yourselves for it, as they competed for it and it
will destroy you as it did them."
Narrated by Narrated Al-Miswar bin Makhrama:
Context
In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) addresses the Ansar after they gathered to welcome Abu 'Ubaida, who returned with wealth from Bahrain. The Prophet expresses concern that the abundance of worldly wealth could lead them to compete for it, potentially causing their downfall, as had happened with previous communities. This serves as a warning about the dangers of materialism.
Modern Application
This principle is relevant today as it reminds individuals and communities to focus on spiritual and moral values rather than becoming overly attached to material wealth. It encourages a balanced approach to life, where community well-being is prioritized over personal gain.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Community Responsibility because it emphasizes the need for collective awareness regarding the impact of wealth on community dynamics and the potential moral pitfalls associated with it.
They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the bounties [of war]. Say, "The [decision concerning] bounties is for Allah and the Messenger." So fear Allah and amend that which is between you and obey Allah and His Messenger, if you should be believers.
Have you not seen those who were told, "Restrain your hands [from fighting] and establish prayer and give zakah"? But then when fighting was ordained for them, at once a party of them feared men as they fear Allah or with [even] greater fear. They said, "Our Lord, why have You decreed upon us fighting? If only You had postponed [it for] us for a short time." Say, The enjoyment of this world is little, and the Hereafter is better for he who fears Allah. And injustice will not be done to you, [even] as much as a thread [inside a date seed]."
And when a surah was revealed [enjoining them] to believe in Allah and to fight with His Messenger, those of wealth among them asked your permission [to stay back] and said, "Leave us to be with them who sit [at home]."
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.
Certainly was Allah pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you, [O Muhammad], under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down tranquillity upon them and rewarded them with an imminent conquest
This hadith is #3849 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Military Expeditions led by the Prophet (pbuh) (Al-Maghaazi). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Al-Miswar bin Makhrama:.