Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Hasan Sahih. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade 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 2664 in the Book of Jihad (Kitab Al-Jihad).

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#2663

#2664

Sunan Abu Dawud

#2665

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Sunan Abu Dawud #2664

Q: What is Sunan Abu Dawud 2664 about?

This hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud (Book of Jihad (Kitab Al-Jihad)) states: "Abu Usaid reported the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) as saying to us at the battle of Badr when he drew up in rows. When they came near you, shoot arrows at them, but do not use all your arrows."

Jihad (Kitab Al-Jihad)

Hasan Sahih

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

حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ سِنَانٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أَحْمَدَ الزُّبَيْرِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ الْغَسِيلِ، عَنْ حَمْزَةَ بْنِ أَبِي أُسَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حِينَ اصْطَفَفْنَا يَوْمَ بَدْرٍ ‏ "‏ إِذَا أَكْثَبُوكُمْ - يَعْنِي إِذَا غَشُوكُمْ - فَارْمُوهُمْ بِالنَّبْلِ وَاسْتَبْقُوا نَبْلَكُمْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Abu Usaid reported the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) as saying to us at the battle of Badr when he drew up in rows. When they came near you, shoot arrows at them, but do not use all your arrows.

Context

During the Battle of Badr, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) instructed his followers on how to engage the enemy effectively. He advised them to use their arrows wisely and conserve their ammunition for when it was most needed. This guidance reflects strategic thinking and the importance of resource management in warfare, emphasizing that one should not waste valuable resources in the heat of battle.

Modern Application

In contemporary life, this principle can be applied to various situations where strategic planning and resource management are essential. Whether in business, personal projects, or community initiatives, knowing when to act and when to conserve resources can lead to more successful outcomes.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Military Might and Warfare and Prophetic Conduct because it illustrates the strategic approach taken by the Prophet (ﷺ) in warfare and his exemplary leadership in guiding his followers.

Military Might and Warfare Prophetic Conduct

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ النِّسَاءِ

An-Nisaa (The Women)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَإِذَا كُنتَ فِيهِمْ فَأَقَمْتَ لَهُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَلْتَقُمْ طَآئِفَةٌۭ مِّنْهُم مَّعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوٓا۟ أَسْلِحَتَهُمْ فَإِذَا سَجَدُوا۟ فَلْيَكُونُوا۟ مِن وَرَآئِكُمْ وَلْتَأْتِ طَآئِفَةٌ أُخْرَىٰ لَمْ يُصَلُّوا۟ فَلْيُصَلُّوا۟ مَعَكَ وَلْيَأْخُذُوا۟ حِذْرَهُمْ وَأَسْلِحَتَهُمْ ۗ وَدَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوْ تَغْفُلُونَ عَنْ أَسْلِحَتِكُمْ وَأَمْتِعَتِكُمْ فَيَمِيلُونَ عَلَيْكُم مَّيْلَةًۭ وَٰحِدَةًۭ ۚ وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِن كَانَ بِكُمْ أَذًۭى مِّن مَّطَرٍ أَوْ كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰٓ أَن تَضَعُوٓا۟ أَسْلِحَتَكُمْ ۖ وَخُذُوا۟ حِذْرَكُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَعَدَّ لِلْكَٰفِرِينَ عَذَابًۭا مُّهِينًۭا

And when you are among them and lead them in prayer, let a group of them stand [in prayer] with you and let them carry their arms. And when they have prostrated, let them be [in position] behind you and have the other group come forward which has not [yet] prayed and let them pray with you, taking precaution and carrying their arms. Those who disbelieve wish that you would neglect your weapons and your baggage so they could come down upon you in one [single] attack. But there is no blame upon you, if you are troubled by rain or are ill, for putting down your arms, but take precaution. Indeed, Allah has prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment.

سُورَةُ الأَنفَالِ

Al-Anfaal (The Spoils of War)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

3 ayahs

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا لَقِيتُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ زَحْفًۭا فَلَا تُوَلُّوهُمُ ٱلْأَدْبَارَ

O you who have believed, when you meet those who disbelieve advancing [for battle], do not turn to them your backs [in flight].

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ حَرِّضِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَى ٱلْقِتَالِ ۚ إِن يَكُن مِّنكُمْ عِشْرُونَ صَٰبِرُونَ يَغْلِبُوا۟ مِا۟ئَتَيْنِ ۚ وَإِن يَكُن مِّنكُم مِّا۟ئَةٌۭ يَغْلِبُوٓا۟ أَلْفًۭا مِّنَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ بِأَنَّهُمْ قَوْمٌۭ لَّا يَفْقَهُونَ

O Prophet, urge the believers to battle. If there are among you twenty [who are] steadfast, they will overcome two hundred. And if there are among you one hundred [who are] steadfast, they will overcome a thousand of those who have disbelieved because they are a people who do not understand.

إِذْ يُرِيكَهُمُ ٱللَّهُ فِى مَنَامِكَ قَلِيلًۭا ۖ وَلَوْ أَرَىٰكَهُمْ كَثِيرًۭا لَّفَشِلْتُمْ وَلَتَنَٰزَعْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ سَلَّمَ ۗ إِنَّهُۥ عَلِيمٌۢ بِذَاتِ ٱلصُّدُورِ

[Remember, O Muhammad], when Allah showed them to you in your dream as few; and if He had shown them to you as many, you [believers] would have lost courage and would have disputed in the matter [of whether to fight], but Allah saved [you from that]. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.

سُورَةُ آلِ عِمۡرَانَ

Aal-i-Imraan (The Family of Imraan)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَلَقَدْ نَصَرَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِبَدْرٍۢ وَأَنتُمْ أَذِلَّةٌۭ ۖ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

And already had Allah given you victory at [the battle of] Badr while you were few in number. Then fear Allah; perhaps you will be grateful.

Common Words

129 total106 unique15 repeated

ٱلله5x

ٱلذين4x

من3x

كفروا3x

إن3x

طائفة2x

معك2x

وليأخذوا2x

أسلحتكم2x

عليكم2x

يأيها2x

يكن2x

منكم2x

يغلبوا2x

فى2x

وإذا1x

كنت1x

فيهم1x

فأقمت1x

لهم1x

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About Sunan Abu Dawud

This hadith is #2664 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Jihad (Kitab Al-Jihad). It is graded Hasan Sahih.

Browse all Sunan Abu Dawud All Hadith Collections

Sunan Abu Dawud #2664

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

Related Hadiths

About Sunan Abu Dawud

About This Hadith