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This hadith is from Sunan Abu Dawud, which contains 5,276 hadiths across 43 books. It is hadith number 2639 in the Book of Jihad (Kitab Al-Jihad).

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#2638

#2639

Sunan Abu Dawud

#2640

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Sunan Abu Dawud #2639

Q: What is Sunan Abu Dawud 2639 about?

This hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud (Book of Jihad (Kitab Al-Jihad)), narrated by Narrated Salamah ibn al-Akwa':, states: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) appointed AbuBakr our commander and we fought with some people who were polytheists, and we attacked them at night, killing them. Our war-cry that night was "put to death;…"

Jihad (Kitab Al-Jihad)

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

حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الصَّمَدِ، وَأَبُو عَامِرٍ عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِيَاسُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ أَمَّرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَيْنَا أَبَا بَكْرٍ - رضى الله عنه - فَغَزَوْنَا نَاسًا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ فَبَيَّتْنَاهُمْ نَقْتُلُهُمْ وَكَانَ شِعَارُنَا تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ أَمِتْ أَمِتْ ‏.‏ قَالَ سَلَمَةُ فَقَتَلْتُ بِيَدِي تِلْكَ اللَّيْلَةَ سَبْعَةَ أَهْلِ أَبْيَاتٍ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ ‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) appointed AbuBakr our commander and we fought with some people who were polytheists, and we attacked them at night, killing them. Our war-cry that night was "put to death; put to death." Salamah said: I killed that night with my hand polytheists belonging to seven houses.

Narrated by Narrated Salamah ibn al-Akwa':

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) appointed Abu Bakr as the commander during a military expedition against polytheists. The narrative describes a night attack where the companions, motivated by their battle cry, engaged in combat, resulting in the death of several adversaries. This highlights the seriousness of warfare in early Islamic history and the leadership role of Abu Bakr.

Modern Application

The principle of leadership in challenging situations can be applied today in various contexts, such as team projects or community initiatives. Effective leadership, like that of Abu Bakr, inspires confidence and unity among team members, especially when facing difficulties.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Military Might and Warfare and Prophetic Command because it illustrates the strategic decisions made by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in military contexts and the importance of leadership in such situations.

Military Might and Warfare Prophetic Command

Related Ayahs

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 مُحَمَّدٍ

Muhammad (Muhammad)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

فَإِذَا لَقِيتُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فَضَرْبَ ٱلرِّقَابِ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَثْخَنتُمُوهُمْ فَشُدُّوا۟ ٱلْوَثَاقَ فَإِمَّا مَنًّۢا بَعْدُ وَإِمَّا فِدَآءً حَتَّىٰ تَضَعَ ٱلْحَرْبُ أَوْزَارَهَا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ وَلَوْ يَشَآءُ ٱللَّهُ لَٱنتَصَرَ مِنْهُمْ وَلَٰكِن لِّيَبْلُوَا۟ بَعْضَكُم بِبَعْضٍۢ ۗ وَٱلَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَلَن يُضِلَّ أَعْمَٰلَهُمْ

So when you meet those who disbelieve [in battle], strike [their] necks until, when you have inflicted slaughter upon them, then secure their bonds, and either [confer] favor afterwards or ransom [them] until the war lays down its burdens. That [is the command]. And if Allah had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them [Himself], but [He ordered armed struggle] to test some of you by means of others. And those who are killed in the cause of Allah - never will He waste their deeds.

سُورَةُ التَّوۡبَةِ

At-Tawba (The Repentance)

3 ayahs

فَإِذَا ٱنسَلَخَ ٱلْأَشْهُرُ ٱلْحُرُمُ فَٱقْتُلُوا۟ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ حَيْثُ وَجَدتُّمُوهُمْ وَخُذُوهُمْ وَٱحْصُرُوهُمْ وَٱقْعُدُوا۟ لَهُمْ كُلَّ مَرْصَدٍۢ ۚ فَإِن تَابُوا۟ وَأَقَامُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَءَاتَوُا۟ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ فَخَلُّوا۟ سَبِيلَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ

And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

قَٰتِلُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱللَّهِ وَلَا بِٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ وَلَا يُحَرِّمُونَ مَا حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُۥ وَلَا يَدِينُونَ دِينَ ٱلْحَقِّ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ حَتَّىٰ يُعْطُوا۟ ٱلْجِزْيَةَ عَن يَدٍۢ وَهُمْ صَٰغِرُونَ

Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture - [fight] until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled.

قَٰتِلُوهُمْ يُعَذِّبْهُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِأَيْدِيكُمْ وَيُخْزِهِمْ وَيَنصُرْكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَيَشْفِ صُدُورَ قَوْمٍۢ مُّؤْمِنِينَ

Fight them; Allah will punish them by your hands and will disgrace them and give you victory over them and satisfy the breasts of a believing people

Common Words

118 total104 unique8 repeated

ٱلله5x

ٱلذين3x

حتى3x

ولا3x

بٱلله2x

ما2x

فإذا2x

قتلوا2x

قالوا1x

تقاسموا1x

لنبيتنه1x

وأهله1x

ثم1x

لنقولن1x

لوليه1x

شهدنا1x

مهلك1x

أهله1x

وإنا1x

لصدقون1x

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About Sunan Abu Dawud

This hadith is #2639 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Jihad (Kitab Al-Jihad) and narrated by Narrated Salamah ibn al-Akwa':.

Browse all Sunan Abu Dawud All Hadith Collections