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 Sunan Abu Dawud, which contains 5,276 hadiths across 43 books. It is hadith number 4308 in the Book of Battles (Kitab Al-Malahim).

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#4307

#4308

Sunan Abu Dawud

#4309

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Sunan Abu Dawud #4308

Q: What is Sunan Abu Dawud 4308 about?

This hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud (Book of Battles (Kitab Al-Malahim)), narrated by Narrated Abu Bakrah:, states: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Some of my people will alight on low-lying ground, which they will call al-Basrah, beside a river called the Tigris over which there is a bridge. Its people will be nu…"

Battles (Kitab 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 مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى بْنِ فَارِسٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الصَّمَدِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْوَارِثِ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ جُمْهَانَ، حَدَّثَنَا مُسْلِمُ بْنُ أَبِي بَكْرَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبِي يُحَدِّثُ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ يَنْزِلُ نَاسٌ مِنْ أُمَّتِي بِغَائِطٍ يُسَمُّونَهُ الْبَصْرَةَ عِنْدَ نَهْرٍ يُقَالُ لَهُ دِجْلَةُ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ جِسْرٌ يَكْثُرُ أَهْلُهَا وَتَكُونُ مِنْ أَمْصَارِ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ ابْنُ يَحْيَى قَالَ أَبُو مَعْمَرٍ ‏"‏ وَتَكُونُ مِنْ أَمْصَارِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ فَإِذَا كَانَ فِي آخِرِ الزَّمَانِ جَاءَ بَنُو قَنْطُورَاءَ عِرَاضُ الْوُجُوهِ صِغَارُ الأَعْيُنِ حَتَّى يَنْزِلُوا عَلَى شَطِّ النَّهْرِ فَيَتَفَرَّقُ أَهْلُهَا ثَلاَثَ فِرَقٍ فِرْقَةٌ يَأْخُذُونَ أَذْنَابَ الْبَقَرِ وَالْبَرِّيَّةِ وَهَلَكُوا وَفِرْقَةٌ يَأْخُذُونَ لأَنْفُسِهِمْ وَكَفَرُوا وَفِرْقَةٌ يَجْعَلُونَ ذَرَارِيَّهُمْ خَلْفَ ظُهُورِهِمْ وَيُقَاتِلُونَهُمْ وَهُمُ الشُّهَدَاءُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Some of my people will alight on low-lying ground, which they will call al-Basrah, beside a river called the Tigris over which there is a bridge. Its people will be numerous and it will be one of the capital cities of immigrants (or one of the capital cities of Muslims, according to the version of Ibn Yahya who reported from Abu Ma'mar). At the end of time the descendants of Qantura' will come with broad faces and small eyes and alight on the bank of the river. The town's inhabitants will then separate into three sections, one of which will follow cattle and (live in) the desert and perish, another of which will seek security for themselves and perish, but a third will put their children behind their backs and fight the invaders, and they will be the martyrs.

Narrated by Narrated Abu Bakrah:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) describes a future event where a group from his community will settle near a river called the Tigris, in a place referred to as al-Basrah. He foretells the division of its inhabitants into three groups, each responding differently to challenges they will face. The takeaway emphasizes the varied responses to adversity and the consequences of those choices, highlighting the importance of community and resilience.

Modern Application

This hadith can inspire individuals today to reflect on their responses to challenges. In times of difficulty, people may choose different paths: some may seek comfort in material pursuits, while others may stand firm and protect their values. This encourages a sense of responsibility towards community and the importance of making wise choices.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Divine Decree and Prophetic Warning because it illustrates the predetermined events that will unfold in the future and serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of one's actions.

Divine Decree Prophetic Warning