What is Sunan Abu Dawud 2637 about?

This hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud (Book of Jihad (Kitab Al-Jihad)) states: "Jabir reported the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) as saying “War is deception.”"

Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Hasan. Hasan hadiths are considered good and acceptable in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sunan Abu Dawud, which contains 5,276 hadiths across 43 books. It is hadith number 2637 in the Book of Jihad (Kitab Al-Jihad).

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.

‹

#2636

#2637

Sunan Abu Dawud

#2638

›

Sunan Abu Dawud #2637

Jihad (Kitab Al-Jihad)

Hasan

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

حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَمْرٍو، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ جَابِرًا، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ الْحَرْبُ خُدْعَةٌ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Jabir reported the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) as saying “War is deception.”

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ states that 'war is deception,' highlighting the strategic aspects of warfare. This statement reflects the understanding that tactics and strategy play a crucial role in military engagements, emphasizing the need for wisdom and foresight in conflict situations.

Modern Application

Today, this principle can be applied in various competitive environments, such as business or sports, where strategy and planning are crucial for success. Understanding the importance of tactics can lead to better outcomes in negotiations and competitive scenarios.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Military Might and Warfare and Prophetic Teachings because it conveys a significant strategic insight into the nature of warfare as articulated by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Military Might and Warfare Prophetic Teachings

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ آلِ عِمۡرَانَ

Aal-i-Imraan (The Family of Imraan)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

2 ayahs

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 -

وَمَا كَانَ لِنَبِىٍّ أَن يَغُلَّ ۚ وَمَن يَغْلُلْ يَأْتِ بِمَا غَلَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ ۚ ثُمَّ تُوَفَّىٰ كُلُّ نَفْسٍۢ مَّا كَسَبَتْ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ

It is not [attributable] to any prophet that he would act unfaithfully [in regard to war booty]. And whoever betrays, [taking unlawfully], will come with what he took on the Day of Resurrection. Then will every soul be [fully] compensated for what it earned, and they will not be wronged.

سُورَةُ المُلۡكِ

Al-Mulk (The Sovereignty)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

قَالُوا۟ بَلَىٰ قَدْ جَآءَنَا نَذِيرٌۭ فَكَذَّبْنَا وَقُلْنَا مَا نَزَّلَ ٱللَّهُ مِن شَىْءٍ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَٰلٍۢ كَبِيرٍۢ

They will say," Yes, a warner had come to us, but we denied and said, 'Allah has not sent down anything. You are not but in great error.'"

سُورَةُ صٓ

Saad (The letter Saad)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَعَجِبُوٓا۟ أَن جَآءَهُم مُّنذِرٌۭ مِّنْهُمْ ۖ وَقَالَ ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ هَٰذَا سَٰحِرٌۭ كَذَّابٌ

And they wonder that there has come to them a warner from among themselves. And the disbelievers say, "This is a magician and a liar.

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."

Common Words

111 total96 unique12 repeated

فى3x

ٱلله3x

ما3x

قالوا2x

منهم2x

بما2x

أن2x

من2x

هذا2x

بعض2x

فلما2x

به2x

وليعلم1x

ٱلذين1x

نافقوا1x

وقيل1x

لهم1x

تعالوا1x

قتلوا1x

سبيل1x

Scroll to explore ayah details

Related Hadiths

About Sunan Abu Dawud

This hadith is #2637 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Jihad (Kitab Al-Jihad). It is graded Hasan.

Browse all Sunan Abu Dawud All Hadith Collections

Sunan Abu Dawud #2637

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

Related Hadiths

About Sunan Abu Dawud

About This Hadith