Sunan Abu Dawud #4248

Trials and Fierce Battles (Kitab Al-Fitan Wa Al-Malahim)
Sahih

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

حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَارِثِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو التَّيَّاحِ، عَنْ صَخْرِ بْنِ بَدْرٍ الْعِجْلِيِّ، عَنْ سُبَيْعِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ، بِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَجِدْ يَوْمَئِذٍ خَلِيفَةً فَاهْرَبْ حَتَّى تَمُوتَ فَإِنْ تَمُتْ وَأَنْتَ عَاضٌّ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَقَالَ فِي آخِرِهِ قَالَ قُلْتُ فَمَا يَكُونُ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ قَالَ ‏"‏ لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلاً نَتَجَ فَرَسًا لَمْ تُنْتَجْ حَتَّى تَقُومَ السَّاعَةُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏
He said: If you do not find a caliph in those days, then flee away until you die, even of you die holding on (to a stump of a tree). I asked: What will come next ? He replied: If a man wants the mare to bring forth a foal, it will not deliver in till the Last Hour comes.
Narrated by The tradition mentioned above has also been transmitted by Hudhaifah through a different chain of narrators from the Prophet (ﷺ). This version says:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ advises that in times of turmoil, if one cannot find a caliph, they should flee to preserve their faith. This guidance reflects the urgency of maintaining one's beliefs in the face of chaos.

Modern Application

This principle can be applied today as a reminder to prioritize one's faith and well-being during challenging times. It encourages individuals to seek safety and spiritual integrity when faced with uncertainty.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Day of Judgment and Warning because it emphasizes the importance of preserving faith amidst trials and tribulations.

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بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
قَالَ فَإِنِ ٱتَّبَعْتَنِى فَلَا تَسْـَٔلْنِى عَن شَىْءٍ حَتَّىٰٓ أُحْدِثَ لَكَ مِنْهُ ذِكْرًۭا
He said, "Then if you follow me, do not ask me about anything until I make to you about it mention."
سُورَةُ الأَحۡزَابِ
Al-Ahzaab (The Clans)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
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قُل لَّن يَنفَعَكُمُ ٱلْفِرَارُ إِن فَرَرْتُم مِّنَ ٱلْمَوْتِ أَوِ ٱلْقَتْلِ وَإِذًۭا لَّا تُمَتَّعُونَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًۭا
Say, [O Muhammad], "Never will fleeing benefit you if you should flee from death or killing; and then [if you did], you would not be given enjoyment [of life] except for a little."
سُورَةُ الأَعۡرَافِ
Al-A'raaf (The Heights)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
قَالَ فِيهَا تَحْيَوْنَ وَفِيهَا تَمُوتُونَ وَمِنْهَا تُخْرَجُونَ
He said, "Therein you will live, and therein you will die, and from it you will be brought forth."
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قُل لَّكُم مِّيعَادُ يَوْمٍۢ لَّا تَسْتَـْٔخِرُونَ عَنْهُ سَاعَةًۭ وَلَا تَسْتَقْدِمُونَ
Say, "For you is the appointment of a Day [when] you will not remain thereafter an hour, nor will you precede [it]."
سُورَةُ المُؤۡمِنُونَ
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بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
قَٰلَ إِن لَّبِثْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًۭا ۖ لَّوْ أَنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
He will say, "You stayed not but a little - if only you had known.

Common Words

53 total46 unique6 repeated
قل3x
قال2x
إن2x
لا2x
إلا2x
قليلا2x
فإن1x
ٱتبعتنى1x
فلا1x
تسـلنى1x
عن1x
شىء1x
حتى1x
أحدث1x
لك1x
منه1x
ذكرا1x
لن1x
ينفعكم1x
ٱلفرار1x
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About Sunan Abu Dawud

This hadith is #4248 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Trials and Fierce Battles (Kitab Al-Fitan Wa Al-Malahim). It is graded Sahih and narrated by The tradition mentioned above has also been transmitted by Hudhaifah through a different chain of narrators from the Prophet (ﷺ). This version says:.

About This Hadith