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 أَحْمَدُ بْنُ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، عَنْ شَقِيقٍ، عَنْ خَبَّابٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ هَاجَرْنَا مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَنَحْنُ نَبْتَغِي وَجْهَ اللَّهِ، فَوَجَبَ أَجْرُنَا عَلَى اللَّهِ، فَمِنَّا مَنْ مَضَى أَوْ ذَهَبَ لَمْ يَأْكُلْ مِنْ أَجْرِهِ شَيْئًا، كَانَ مِنْهُمْ مُصْعَبُ بْنُ عُمَيْرٍ قُتِلَ يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ، فَلَمْ يَتْرُكْ إِلاَّ نَمِرَةً كُنَّا إِذَا غَطَّيْنَا بِهَا رَأْسَهُ خَرَجَتْ رِجْلاَهُ، وَإِذَا غُطِّيَ بِهَا رِجْلاَهُ خَرَجَ رَأْسُهُ، فَقَالَ لَنَا النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " غَطُّوا بِهَا رَأْسَهُ، وَاجْعَلُوا عَلَى رِجْلَيْهِ الإِذْخِرَ ". أَوْ قَالَ " أَلْقُوا عَلَى رِجْلَيْهِ مِنَ الإِذْخِرِ ". وَمِنَّا مَنْ أَيْنَعَتْ لَهُ ثَمَرَتُهُ فَهْوَ يَهْدِبُهَا.
We migrated with the Prophet (ﷺ) for Allah's Cause, so our reward became due with Allah. Some of us
passed away (i.e. died) without enjoying anything from their reward, and one of them was Mus`ab bin
`Umar who was killed (i.e. martyred) on the day of Uhud. He did not leave behind except a sheet of
striped woolen cloth. If we covered his head with it, his feet became naked, and if we covered his feet
with it, his head became naked. The Prophet (ﷺ) said to us, "Cover his head with it and put Idhkhir (i.e. a
kind of grass) over his feet," or said, "Put some Idhkhir over his feet." But some of us have got their
fruits ripened, and they are collecting them.
Narrated by Narrated Khabbab:
Context
In this narration, Khabbab recounts the sacrifices made by early Muslims who migrated with the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) for the sake of Allah. He highlights the story of Mus'ab bin 'Umar, who was martyred at the Battle of Uhud, leaving behind only a minimal burial shroud. The Prophet's instructions on how to cover him emphasize the value of sacrifice in the path of faith.
Modern Application
This hadith serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by individuals for their beliefs. In contemporary life, it encourages us to recognize and honor those who work selflessly for a cause, whether in community service, activism, or personal endeavors.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Martyrdom and Reward of Deeds because it illustrates the ultimate sacrifice made for faith and the rewards associated with such acts.
And whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah will find on the earth many [alternative] locations and abundance. And whoever leaves his home as an emigrant to Allah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him - his reward has already become incumbent upon Allah. And Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.
It was not [proper] for the people of Madinah and those surrounding them of the bedouins that they remain behind after [the departure of] the Messenger of Allah or that they prefer themselves over his self. That is because they are not afflicted by thirst or fatigue or hunger in the cause of Allah, nor do they tread on any ground that enrages the disbelievers, nor do they inflict upon an enemy any infliction but that is registered for them as a righteous deed. Indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of the doers of good.
And those who emigrated for the cause of Allah and then were killed or died - Allah will surely provide for them a good provision. And indeed, it is Allah who is the best of providers.
And those who emigrated for [the cause of] Allah after they had been wronged - We will surely settle them in this world in a good place; but the reward of the Hereafter is greater, if only they could know.
For the poor emigrants who were expelled from their homes and their properties, seeking bounty from Allah and [His] approval and supporting Allah and His Messenger, [there is also a share]. Those are the truthful.
This hadith is #3910 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 Khabbab:.