Sahih al-Bukhari #6682
Apostates
The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ حُصَيْنٍ، عَنْ فُلاَنٍ، قَالَ تَنَازَعَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ وَحِبَّانُ بْنُ عَطِيَّةَ فَقَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ لِحِبَّانَ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتُ الَّذِي جَرَّأَ صَاحِبَكَ عَلَى الدِّمَاءِ يَعْنِي عَلِيًّا. قَالَ مَا هُوَ لاَ أَبَا لَكَ قَالَ شَىْءٌ سَمِعْتُهُ يَقُولُهُ. قَالَ مَا هُوَ قَالَ بَعَثَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَالزُّبَيْرَ وَأَبَا مَرْثَدٍ وَكُلُّنَا فَارِسٌ قَالَ " انْطَلِقُوا حَتَّى تَأْتُوا رَوْضَةَ حَاجٍ ـ قَالَ أَبُو سَلَمَةَ هَكَذَا قَالَ أَبُو عَوَانَةَ حَاجٍ ـ فَإِنَّ فِيهَا امْرَأَةً مَعَهَا صَحِيفَةٌ مِنْ حَاطِبِ بْنِ أَبِي بَلْتَعَةَ إِلَى الْمُشْرِكِينَ فَأْتُونِي بِهَا ". فَانْطَلَقْنَا عَلَى أَفْرَاسِنَا حَتَّى أَدْرَكْنَاهَا حَيْثُ قَالَ لَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم تَسِيرُ عَلَى بَعِيرٍ لَهَا، وَكَانَ كَتَبَ إِلَى أَهْلِ مَكَّةَ بِمَسِيرِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَيْهِمْ. فَقُلْنَا أَيْنَ الْكِتَابُ الَّذِي مَعَكِ قَالَتْ مَا مَعِي كِتَابٌ. فَأَنَخْنَا بِهَا بَعِيرَهَا، فَابْتَغَيْنَا فِي رَحْلِهَا فَمَا وَجَدْنَا شَيْئًا. فَقَالَ صَاحِبِي مَا نَرَى مَعَهَا كِتَابًا. قَالَ فَقُلْتُ لَقَدْ عَلِمْنَا مَا كَذَبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثُمَّ حَلَفَ عَلِيٌّ وَالَّذِي يُحْلَفُ بِهِ لَتُخْرِجِنَّ الْكِتَابَ أَوْ لأُجَرِّدَنَّكِ. فَأَهْوَتْ إِلَى حُجْزَتِهَا وَهْىَ مُحْتَجِزَةٌ بِكِسَاءٍ فَأَخْرَجَتِ الصَّحِيفَةَ، فَأَتَوْا بِهَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ عُمَرُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَدْ خَانَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَالْمُؤْمِنِينَ. دَعْنِي فَأَضْرِبَ عُنُقَهُ. فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " يَا حَاطِبُ مَا حَمَلَكَ عَلَى مَا صَنَعْتَ ". قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَالِي أَنْ لاَ أَكُونَ مُؤْمِنًا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ، وَلَكِنِّي أَرَدْتُ أَنْ يَكُونَ لِي عِنْدَ الْقَوْمِ يَدٌ، يُدْفَعُ بِهَا عَنْ أَهْلِي وَمَالِي، وَلَيْسَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِكَ أَحَدٌ إِلاَّ لَهُ هُنَالِكَ مِنْ قَوْمِهِ مَنْ يَدْفَعُ اللَّهُ بِهِ عَنْ أَهْلِهِ وَمَالِهِ. قَالَ " صَدَقَ، لاَ تَقُولُوا لَهُ إِلاَّ خَيْرًا ". قَالَ فَعَادَ عُمَرُ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ قَدْ خَانَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَالْمُؤْمِنِينَ، دَعْنِي فَلأَضْرِبَ عُنُقَهُ. قَالَ " أَوَلَيْسَ مِنْ أَهْلِ بَدْرٍ، وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّ اللَّهَ اطَّلَعَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَقَالَ اعْمَلُوا مَا شِئْتُمْ فَقَدْ أَوْجَبْتُ لَكُمُ الْجَنَّةَ ". فَاغْرَوْرَقَتْ عَيْنَاهُ فَقَالَ اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ.
Abu `Abdur-Rahman and Hibban bin 'Atiyya had a dispute. Abu `Abdur-Rahman said to Hibban,
"You know what made your companions (i.e. `Ali) dare to shed blood." Hibban said, "Come on! What
is that?" `Abdur-Rahman said, "Something I heard him saying." The other said, "What was it?"
`AbdurRahman said, "`Ali said, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) sent for me, Az-Zubair and Abu Marthad, and all of
us were cavalry men, and said, 'Proceed to Raudat-Hajj (Abu Salama said that Abu 'Awana called it
like this, i.e., Hajj where there is a woman carrying a letter from Hatib bin Abi Balta'a to the pagans
(of Mecca). So bring that letter to me.' So we proceeded riding on our horses till we overtook her at
the same place of which Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) had told us. She was traveling on her camel. In that letter
Hatib had written to the Meccans about the proposed attached of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) against them. We
asked her, "Where is the letter which is with you?' She replied, 'I haven't got any letter.' So we made
her camel kneel down and searched her luggage, but we did not find anything. My two companions
said, 'We do not think that she has got a letter.' I said, 'We know that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) has not told a
lie.'"
Then `Ali took an oath saying, "By Him by Whom one should swear! You shall either bring out the
letter or we shall strip off your clothes." She then stretched out her hand for her girdle (round her
waist) and brought out the paper (letter). They took the letter to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). `Umar said, "O
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! (Hatib) has betrayed Allah, His Apostle and the believers; let me chop off his neck!"
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "O Hatib! What obliged you to do what you have done?" Hatib replied, "O
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Why (for what reason) should I not believe in Allah and His Apostle? But I intended
to do the (Mecca) people a favor by virtue of which my family and property may be protected as there
is none of your companions but has some of his people (relatives) whom Allah urges to protect his
family and property." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "He has said the truth; therefore, do not say anything to him
except good." `Umar again said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! He has betrayed Allah, His Apostle and the
believers; let me chop his neck off!" The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Isn't he from those who fought the battle of
Badr? And what do you know, Allah might have looked at them (Badr warriors) and said (to them),
'Do what you like, for I have granted you Paradise?' " On that, `Umar's eyes became flooded with tears
and he said, "Allah and His Apostle know best."
Narrated by Narrated:
Context
This hadith recounts an incident involving Hatib bin Abi Balta'a, who sent a letter to the Meccans warning them of the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) impending attack. When confronted, Hatib explained that he acted to protect his family and property. The Prophet (ﷺ) acknowledged his sincerity and past contributions, emphasizing the importance of understanding intentions and the complexities of human behavior.
Modern Application
In modern life, this teaches us to consider the motivations behind people's actions, especially when they seem questionable. Understanding that individuals may act out of a desire to protect their loved ones can foster empathy and constructive dialogue.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Divine Justice and Prophetic Conduct because it demonstrates the Prophet's (ﷺ) ability to discern intentions and his commitment to justice, even when faced with betrayal.
Related Ayahs
سُورَةُ التَّوۡبَةِ
At-Tawba (The Repentance)
1 ayah
يَحْلِفُونَ بِٱللَّهِ مَا قَالُوا۟ وَلَقَدْ قَالُوا۟ كَلِمَةَ ٱلْكُفْرِ وَكَفَرُوا۟ بَعْدَ إِسْلَٰمِهِمْ وَهَمُّوا۟ بِمَا لَمْ يَنَالُوا۟ ۚ وَمَا نَقَمُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ أَنْ أَغْنَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ ۚ فَإِن يَتُوبُوا۟ يَكُ خَيْرًۭا لَّهُمْ ۖ وَإِن يَتَوَلَّوْا۟ يُعَذِّبْهُمُ ٱللَّهُ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًۭا فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْءَاخِرَةِ ۚ وَمَا لَهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مِن وَلِىٍّۢ وَلَا نَصِيرٍۢ
They swear by Allah that they did not say [anything against the Prophet] while they had said the word of disbelief and disbelieved after their [pretense of] Islam and planned that which they were not to attain. And they were not resentful except [for the fact] that Allah and His Messenger had enriched them of His bounty. So if they repent, it is better for them; but if they turn away, Allah will punish them with a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter. And there will not be for them on earth any protector or helper.
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 التَّحۡرِيمِ
At-Tahrim (The Prohibition)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
وَإِذْ أَسَرَّ ٱلنَّبِىُّ إِلَىٰ بَعْضِ أَزْوَٰجِهِۦ حَدِيثًۭا فَلَمَّا نَبَّأَتْ بِهِۦ وَأَظْهَرَهُ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ عَرَّفَ بَعْضَهُۥ وَأَعْرَضَ عَنۢ بَعْضٍۢ ۖ فَلَمَّا نَبَّأَهَا بِهِۦ قَالَتْ مَنْ أَنۢبَأَكَ هَٰذَا ۖ قَالَ نَبَّأَنِىَ ٱلْعَلِيمُ ٱلْخَبِيرُ
And [remember] when the Prophet confided to one of his wives a statement; and when she informed [another] of it and Allah showed it to him, he made known part of it and ignored a part. And when he informed her about it, she said, "Who told you this?" He said, "I was informed by the Knowing, the Acquainted."
سُورَةُ النَّمۡلِ
An-Naml (The Ant)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
قَالُوا۟ تَقَاسَمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ لَنُبَيِّتَنَّهُۥ وَأَهْلَهُۥ ثُمَّ لَنَقُولَنَّ لِوَلِيِّهِۦ مَا شَهِدْنَا مَهْلِكَ أَهْلِهِۦ وَإِنَّا لَصَٰدِقُونَ
They said, "Take a mutual oath by Allah that we will kill him by night, he and his family. Then we will say to his executor, 'We did not witness the destruction of his family, and indeed, we are truthful.' "
سُورَةُ العَنكَبُوتِ
Al-Ankaboot (The Spider)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
وَمِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ مَن يَقُولُ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ فَإِذَآ أُوذِىَ فِى ٱللَّهِ جَعَلَ فِتْنَةَ ٱلنَّاسِ كَعَذَابِ ٱللَّهِ وَلَئِن جَآءَ نَصْرٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّكَ لَيَقُولُنَّ إِنَّا كُنَّا مَعَكُمْ ۚ أَوَلَيْسَ ٱللَّهُ بِأَعْلَمَ بِمَا فِى صُدُورِ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
And of the people are some who say, "We believe in Allah," but when one [of them] is harmed for [the cause of] Allah, they consider the trial of the people as [if it were] the punishment of Allah. But if victory comes from your Lord, they say, "Indeed, We were with you." Is not Allah most knowing of what is within the breasts of all creatures?
Common Words
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ٱلله7x
فى6x
من5x
قالوا4x
بٱلله3x
ما3x
بما3x
لهم3x
وما2x
بعض2x
فلما2x
به2x
ٱلناس2x
يحلفون1x
ولقد1x
كلمة1x
ٱلكفر1x
وكفروا1x
بعد1x
إسلمهم1x
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About Sahih al-Bukhari
This hadith is #6682 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Apostates. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated:.