What is Sahih Muslim 4408 about?

This hadith from Sahih Muslim (Book of The Book of Jihad and Expeditions) states: "This hadith has also been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira."

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 Muslim, which contains 7,459 hadiths across 57 books. It is hadith number 4408 in the Book of The Book of Jihad and Expeditions.

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.

‹

#4407

#4408

Sahih Muslim

#4409

›

Sahih Muslim #4408

The Book of Jihad and Expeditions

Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ سَهْمٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنْ هَمَّامِ بْنِ مُنَبِّهٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏الْحَرْبُ خُدْعَةٌ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

This hadith has also been narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira.

Context

This hadith, narrated by Abu Huraira, conveys the message that 'war is deception.' The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ used this statement to illustrate the strategic nature of warfare, where tactics and cunning can play a crucial role in achieving victory. The takeaway is that understanding the dynamics of conflict is essential in both literal and metaphorical battles.

Modern Application

In modern life, this principle can apply to negotiations and competitive scenarios, where strategic thinking and planning are vital. It teaches us that sometimes, appearing vulnerable or less informed can be a tactic to gain an advantage in various situations.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Hadith Transmission and Authenticity in Hadith because it reflects the importance of accurately conveying the Prophet's words and the context in which they were delivered.

Hadith Transmission Authenticity in Hadith