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 سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ مُجَاهِدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى، عَنْ كَعْبِ بْنِ عُجْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ أَتَى عَلَىَّ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم زَمَنَ الْحُدَيْبِيَةِ، وَالْقَمْلُ يَتَنَاثَرُ عَلَى وَجْهِي فَقَالَ {أَيُؤْذِيكَ هَوَامُّ رَأْسِكَ}. قُلْتُ نَعَمْ. قَالَ
" فَاحْلِقْ، وَصُمْ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ، أَوْ أَطْعِمْ سِتَّةَ مَسَاكِينَ، أَوِ انْسُكْ نَسِيكَةً ". قَالَ أَيُّوبُ لاَ أَدْرِي بِأَىِّ هَذَا بَدَأَ.
The Prophet (ﷺ) came to me at the time of Al-Hudaibiya Pledge while lice were falling on my face. He
said, "Are the lice of your head troubling you?" I said, "Yes." He said, "Shave your head and fast for
three days, or feed six poor persons, or slaughter a sheep as sacrifice." (The sub-narrator, Aiyub said,
"I do not know with which of these three options he started.")
Narrated by Narrated Ka`b bin Ujra:
Context
During the time of Al-Hudaibiya, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) encountered a companion troubled by lice. The Prophet (ﷺ) offered practical solutions, including shaving the head and fasting, which reflects his compassionate approach to addressing personal hardships. This incident also illustrates the Prophet's role as a guide in both spiritual and everyday matters.
Modern Application
This hadith serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion and practical solutions in addressing personal challenges. In modern life, it encourages individuals to seek help and support from their community when facing difficulties, fostering a sense of solidarity and care.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Fasting and Sacrifice (Qurbani) because it discusses the options provided for atonement and personal sacrifice in response to a hardship.
And complete the Hajj and 'umrah for Allah. But if you are prevented, then [offer] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And do not shave your heads until the sacrificial animal has reached its place of slaughter. And whoever among you is ill or has an ailment of the head [making shaving necessary must offer] a ransom of fasting [three days] or charity or sacrifice. And when you are secure, then whoever performs 'umrah [during the Hajj months] followed by Hajj [offers] what can be obtained with ease of sacrificial animals. And whoever cannot find [or afford such an animal] - then a fast of three days during Hajj and of seven when you have returned [home]. Those are ten complete [days]. This is for those whose family is not in the area of al-Masjid al-Haram. And fear Allah and know that Allah is severe in penalty.
Certainly has Allah showed to His Messenger the vision in truth. You will surely enter al-Masjid al-Haram, if Allah wills, in safety, with your heads shaved and [hair] shortened, not fearing [anyone]. He knew what you did not know and has arranged before that a conquest near [at hand].
And he who does not find [a slave] - then a fast for two months consecutively before they touch one another; and he who is unable - then the feeding of sixty poor persons. That is for you to believe [completely] in Allah and His Messenger; and those are the limits [set by] Allah. And for the disbelievers is a painful punishment.
Allah will not impose blame upon you for what is meaningless in your oaths, but He will impose blame upon you for [breaking] what you intended of oaths. So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families or clothing them or the freeing of a slave. But whoever cannot find [or afford it] - then a fast of three days [is required]. That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn. But guard your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be grateful.
This hadith is #4014 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 Ka`b bin Ujra:.