What is Sahih al-Bukhari 3880 about?

This hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Military Expeditions led by the Prophet (pbuh) (Al-Maghaazi)), narrated by Narrated Zaid bin Thabit:, states: "When the Prophet (ﷺ) set out for (the battle of) Uhud, some of those who had gone out with him, returned. The companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) were divided into two groups. One group said, "We will figh…"

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 3880 in the Book of Military Expeditions led by the Prophet (pbuh) (Al-Maghaazi).

I searched for a different number — is this the right hadith?

Hadith numbering varies across editions and translations (USC-MSA, Dar as-Salam, Fath al-Bari, and others). If you followed a link citing a different number but landed here, you may have been redirected to the canonical version in our library. If you were looking for a different hadith entirely, use the search bar to find it by text.

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#3879

#3880

Sahih al-Bukhari

#3881

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Sahih al-Bukhari #3880

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 أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عَدِيِّ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ، سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ يَزِيدَ،، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ لَمَّا خَرَجَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَى أُحُدٍ، رَجَعَ نَاسٌ مِمَّنْ خَرَجَ مَعَهُ، وَكَانَ أَصْحَابُ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِرْقَتَيْنِ، فِرْقَةً تَقُولُ نُقَاتِلُهُمْ‏.‏ وَفِرْقَةً تَقُولُ لاَ نُقَاتِلُهُمْ‏.‏ فَنَزَلَتْ ‏{‏فَمَا لَكُمْ فِي الْمُنَافِقِينَ فِئَتَيْنِ وَاللَّهُ أَرْكَسَهُمْ بِمَا كَسَبُوا‏}‏ وَقَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّهَا طَيْبَةُ تَنْفِي الذُّنُوبَ كَمَا تَنْفِي النَّارُ خَبَثَ الْفِضَّةِ ‏"‏‏.‏

When the Prophet (ﷺ) set out for (the battle of) Uhud, some of those who had gone out with him, returned. The companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) were divided into two groups. One group said, "We will fight them (i.e. the enemy)," and the other group said, "We will not fight them." So there came the Divine Revelation:-- '(O Muslims!) Then what is the matter within you that you are divided. Into two parties about the hypocrites? Allah has cast them back (to disbelief) Because of what they have earned.' (4.88) On that, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "That is Taiba (i.e. the city of Medina) which clears one from one's sins as the fire expels the impurities of silver."

Narrated by Narrated Zaid bin Thabit:

Context

This hadith recounts a moment during the battle of Uhud when the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) were divided in their decision to fight. Some chose to engage the enemy while others hesitated. This division prompted a divine revelation addressing the hypocrisy among them. The Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized the purity of Medina, likening it to fire that purifies silver, suggesting that true faith cleanses one from sin.

Modern Application

In today's context, this hadith reminds us of the importance of unity and decisiveness in the face of challenges. Just as the companions were divided, we may face similar situations where we must choose between action and inaction. It encourages us to remain steadfast in our commitments and to support one another in our endeavors.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Quran and Divine Revelation because it includes a direct reference to a verse from the Quran and highlights the significance of divine guidance in addressing the behavior of the companions.

Quran Divine Revelation

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ الأَحۡزَابِ

Al-Ahzaab (The Clans)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَإِذْ قَالَت طَّآئِفَةٌۭ مِّنْهُمْ يَٰٓأَهْلَ يَثْرِبَ لَا مُقَامَ لَكُمْ فَٱرْجِعُوا۟ ۚ وَيَسْتَـْٔذِنُ فَرِيقٌۭ مِّنْهُمُ ٱلنَّبِىَّ يَقُولُونَ إِنَّ بُيُوتَنَا عَوْرَةٌۭ وَمَا هِىَ بِعَوْرَةٍ ۖ إِن يُرِيدُونَ إِلَّا فِرَارًۭا

And when a faction of them said, "O people of Yathrib, there is no stability for you [here], so return [home]." And a party of them asked permission of the Prophet, saying, "Indeed, our houses are unprotected," while they were not exposed. They did not intend except to flee.

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 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.

وَإِذَآ أُنزِلَتْ سُورَةٌ أَنْ ءَامِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَجَٰهِدُوا۟ مَعَ رَسُولِهِ ٱسْتَـْٔذَنَكَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلطَّوْلِ مِنْهُمْ وَقَالُوا۟ ذَرْنَا نَكُن مَّعَ ٱلْقَٰعِدِينَ

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]."

سُورَةُ المُنَافِقُونَ

Al-Munaafiqoon (The Hypocrites)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

يَقُولُونَ لَئِن رَّجَعْنَآ إِلَى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ لَيُخْرِجَنَّ ٱلْأَعَزُّ مِنْهَا ٱلْأَذَلَّ ۚ وَلِلَّهِ ٱلْعِزَّةُ وَلِرَسُولِهِۦ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱلْمُنَٰفِقِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

They say, "If we return to al-Madinah, the more honored [for power] will surely expel therefrom the more humble." And to Allah belongs [all] honor, and to His Messenger, and to the believers, but the hypocrites do not know.

Common Words

120 total103 unique12 repeated

منهم5x

يقولون3x

فى3x

لا2x

فريق2x

ٱلنبى2x

إن2x

ٱلذين2x

ٱلله2x

ما2x

تاب2x

مع2x

وإذ1x

قالت1x

طائفة1x

يأهل1x

يثرب1x

مقام1x

لكم1x

فٱرجعوا1x

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About Sahih al-Bukhari

This hadith is #3880 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 Zaid bin Thabit:.

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Sahih al-Bukhari #3880

Context

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