Sahih al-Bukhari #4171
Military Expeditions led by the Prophet (pbuh) (Al-Maghaazi)
The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، قَالَ الَّذِي حَفِظْنَاهُ مِنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ دِينَارٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ جَابِرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، يَقُولُ بَعَثَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثَلاَثَمِائَةِ رَاكِبٍ أَمِيرُنَا أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ بْنُ الْجَرَّاحِ نَرْصُدُ عِيرَ قُرَيْشٍ، فَأَقَمْنَا بِالسَّاحِلِ نِصْفَ شَهْرٍ فَأَصَابَنَا جُوعٌ شَدِيدٌ حَتَّى أَكَلْنَا الْخَبَطَ، فَسُمِّيَ ذَلِكَ الْجَيْشُ جَيْشَ الْخَبَطِ، فَأَلْقَى لَنَا الْبَحْرُ دَابَّةً يُقَالُ لَهَا الْعَنْبَرُ، فَأَكَلْنَا مِنْهُ نِصْفَ شَهْرٍ وَادَّهَنَّا مِنْ وَدَكِهِ حَتَّى ثَابَتْ إِلَيْنَا أَجْسَامُنَا، فَأَخَذَ أَبُو عُبَيْدَةَ ضِلَعًا مِنْ أَضْلاَعِهِ فَنَصَبَهُ فَعَمَدَ إِلَى أَطْوَلِ رَجُلٍ مَعَهُ ـ قَالَ سُفْيَانُ مَرَّةً ضِلَعًا مِنْ أَعْضَائِهِ فَنَصَبَهُ وَأَخَذَ رَجُلاً وَبَعِيرًا ـ فَمَرَّ تَحْتَهُ قَالَ جَابِرٌ وَكَانَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ نَحَرَ ثَلاَثَ جَزَائِرَ، ثُمَّ نَحَرَ ثَلاَثَ جَزَائِرَ، ثُمَّ نَحَرَ ثَلاَثَ جَزَائِرَ، ثُمَّ إِنَّ أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ نَهَاهُ. وَكَانَ عَمْرٌو يَقُولُ أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو صَالِحٍ أَنَّ قَيْسَ بْنَ سَعْدٍ قَالَ لأَبِيهِ كُنْتُ فِي الْجَيْشِ فَجَاعُوا. قَالَ انْحَرْ. قَالَ نَحَرْتُ. قَالَ ثُمَّ جَاعُوا قَالَ انْحَرْ. قَالَ نَحَرْتُ. قَالَ ثُمَّ جَاعُوا قَالَ انْحَرْ. قَالَ نَحَرْتُ ثُمَّ جَاعُوا قَالَ انْحَرْ. قَالَ نُهِيتُ.
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sent us who were three-hundred riders under the command of Abu Ubaida bin Al-
Jarrah in order to watch the caravan of the Quraish pagans. We stayed at the seashore for half a month
and were struck with such severe hunger that we ate even the Khabt (i.e. the leaves of the Salam, a
thorny desert tree), and because of that, the army was known as Jaish-ul-Khabt. Then the sea threw
out, an animal (i.e. a fish) called Al-`Anbar and we ate of that for half a month, and rubbed its fat on
our bodies till our bodies returned to their original state (i.e. became strong and healthy). Abu Ubaida
took one of its ribs, fixed it on the ground; then he went to the tallest man of his companions (to let
him pass under the rib). Once Sufyan said, "He took a rib from its parts and fixed it, and then took a
man and camel and they passed from underneath it (without touching it). " Jabir added: There was a
man amongst the people who slaughtered three camels and then slaughtered another three camels and
then slaughtered other three camels, and then Abu 'Ubaida forbade him to do so.
Narrated Abu Salih: Qais bin Sa`d said to his father. "I was present in the army and the people were
struck with severe hunger." He said, "You should have slaughtered (camels) (for them)." Qais said, "I
did slaughter camels but they were hungry again. He said, "You should have slaughtered (camels)
again." Qais said, "I did slaughter (camels) again but the people felt hungry again." He said, "You
should have slaughtered (camels) again." Qais said, "I did slaughter (camels) again, but the people
again felt hungry." He said, "You should have slaughtered (camels) again." Qais said, "But I was
forbidden (by Abu 'Ubaida this time).
Narrated by Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah:
Context
In this narration, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) sends a group of companions on a mission during a time of severe hunger. They experience hardship but are eventually provided sustenance from the sea. This story emphasizes the importance of patience and reliance on Allah during difficult times.
Modern Application
This principle resonates today as it encourages individuals to remain patient and hopeful during challenging circumstances. It reminds us that sustenance and support can come unexpectedly, reinforcing faith in divine provision.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Hospitality in Islam and Blessings in Food because it illustrates the significance of sharing food and the blessings that come from Allah during times of need.
Related Ayahs
سُورَةُ الحَجِّ
Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
وَٱلْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَٰهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَٰٓئِرِ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌۭ ۖ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَآفَّ ۖ فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُوا۟ مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا۟ ٱلْقَانِعَ وَٱلْمُعْتَرَّ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرْنَٰهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols of Allah; for you therein is good. So mention the name of Allah upon them when lined up [for sacrifice]; and when they are [lifeless] on their sides, then eat from them and feed the needy and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful.
سُورَةُ الأَنۡعَامِ
Al-An'aam (The Cattle)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ هَادُوا۟ حَرَّمْنَا كُلَّ ذِى ظُفُرٍۢ ۖ وَمِنَ ٱلْبَقَرِ وَٱلْغَنَمِ حَرَّمْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ شُحُومَهُمَآ إِلَّا مَا حَمَلَتْ ظُهُورُهُمَآ أَوِ ٱلْحَوَايَآ أَوْ مَا ٱخْتَلَطَ بِعَظْمٍۢ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ جَزَيْنَٰهُم بِبَغْيِهِمْ ۖ وَإِنَّا لَصَٰدِقُونَ
And to those who are Jews We prohibited every animal of uncloven hoof; and of the cattle and the sheep We prohibited to them their fat, except what adheres to their backs or the entrails or what is joined with bone. [By] that We repaid them for their injustice. And indeed, We are truthful.
سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ
Al-Baqara (The Cow)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
فَلَمَّا فَصَلَ طَالُوتُ بِٱلْجُنُودِ قَالَ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مُبْتَلِيكُم بِنَهَرٍۢ فَمَن شَرِبَ مِنْهُ فَلَيْسَ مِنِّى وَمَن لَّمْ يَطْعَمْهُ فَإِنَّهُۥ مِنِّىٓ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱغْتَرَفَ غُرْفَةًۢ بِيَدِهِۦ ۚ فَشَرِبُوا۟ مِنْهُ إِلَّا قَلِيلًۭا مِّنْهُمْ ۚ فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَهُۥ هُوَ وَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مَعَهُۥ قَالُوا۟ لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا ٱلْيَوْمَ بِجَالُوتَ وَجُنُودِهِۦ ۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَظُنُّونَ أَنَّهُم مُّلَٰقُوا۟ ٱللَّهِ كَم مِّن فِئَةٍۢ قَلِيلَةٍ غَلَبَتْ فِئَةًۭ كَثِيرَةًۢ بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ مَعَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ
And when Saul went forth with the soldiers, he said, "Indeed, Allah will be testing you with a river. So whoever drinks from it is not of me, and whoever does not taste it is indeed of me, excepting one who takes [from it] in the hollow of his hand." But they drank from it, except a [very] few of them. Then when he had crossed it along with those who believed with him, they said, "There is no power for us today against Goliath and his soldiers." But those who were certain that they would meet Allah said, "How many a small company has overcome a large company by permission of Allah. And Allah is with the patient."
سُورَةُ المُجَادلَةِ
Al-Mujaadila (The Pleading Woman)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ مِن قَبْلِ أَن يَتَمَآسَّا ۖ فَمَن لَّمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَإِطْعَامُ سِتِّينَ مِسْكِينًۭا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ لِتُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِۦ ۚ وَتِلْكَ حُدُودُ ٱللَّهِ ۗ وَلِلْكَٰفِرِينَ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
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.
سُورَةُ الكَهۡفِ
Al-Kahf (The Cave)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
فَلَمَّا جَاوَزَا قَالَ لِفَتَىٰهُ ءَاتِنَا غَدَآءَنَا لَقَدْ لَقِينَا مِن سَفَرِنَا هَٰذَا نَصَبًۭا
So when they had passed beyond it, [Moses] said to his boy, "Bring us our morning meal. We have certainly suffered in this, our journey, [much] fatigue."
Common Words
153 total123 unique17 repeated
ٱلله6x
من5x
لكم3x
إلا3x
فلما3x
قال3x
فمن3x
لم3x
ٱلذين2x
حرمنا2x
ومن2x
ما2x
أو2x
ذلك2x
منه2x
منى2x
فئة2x
وٱلبدن1x
جعلنها1x
شعئر1x
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About Sahih al-Bukhari
This hadith is #4171 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 Jabir bin `Abdullah:.