What is Sunan an-Nasa'i 4205 about?

This hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i (Book of The Book of al-Bay'ah), narrated by It was narrated from Muadah bin Jabal that the Messenger of Allah said:, states: ""Military campaigns are of two types: as for the one who seeks the Face of Allah, obeys the imam, spends what is precious and avoids mischief, whether he is asleep or awake, he is earning reward. But…"

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 an-Nasa'i, which contains 5,768 hadiths across 52 books. It is hadith number 4205 in the Book of The Book of al-Bay'ah.

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#4204

#4205

Sunan an-Nasa'i

#4206

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Sunan an-Nasa'i #4205

The Book of al-Bay'ah

Sahih

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

أَخْبَرَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا بَقِيَّةُ بْنُ الْوَلِيدِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا بَحِيرٌ، عَنْ خَالِدِ بْنِ مَعْدَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي بَحْرِيَّةَ، عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ الْغَزْوُ غَزْوَانِ فَأَمَّا مَنِ ابْتَغَى وَجْهَ اللَّهِ وَأَطَاعَ الإِمَامَ وَأَنْفَقَ الْكَرِيمَةَ وَاجْتَنَبَ الْفَسَادَ فَإِنَّ نَوْمَهُ وَنُبْهَتَهُ أَجْرٌ كُلُّهُ وَأَمَّا مَنْ غَزَا رِيَاءً وَسُمْعَةً وَعَصَى الإِمَامَ وَأَفْسَدَ فِي الأَرْضِ فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَرْجِعُ بِالْكَفَافِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

"Military campaigns are of two types: as for the one who seeks the Face of Allah, obeys the imam, spends what is precious and avoids mischief, whether he is asleep or awake, he is earning reward. But as for the one who fights in order to show off and gain a reputation, and disobeys the imam and spreads mischief in the land, he comes back empty-handed." (Da 'if)

Narrated by It was narrated from Muadah bin Jabal that the Messenger of Allah said:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ discusses the motivations behind military campaigns, distinguishing between those who seek the pleasure of Allah and those who pursue fame or recognition. He emphasizes that true reward comes from sincere intentions and obedience to leadership, while those who act out of self-interest will not gain anything of value from their efforts.

Modern Application

This teaching can be applied today by encouraging individuals to engage in activities with pure intentions, whether in community service, work, or personal endeavors. By focusing on the greater good and obeying rightful authority, people can contribute positively to society.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Military Might and Warfare and Reward of Deeds because it emphasizes the significance of intention behind actions and the rewards associated with sincere efforts.

Military Might and Warfare Reward of Deeds

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ النِّسَاءِ

An-Nisaa (The Women)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

3 ayahs

۞ فَلْيُقَٰتِلْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَشْرُونَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِٱلْءَاخِرَةِ ۚ وَمَن يُقَٰتِلْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَيُقْتَلْ أَوْ يَغْلِبْ فَسَوْفَ نُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًۭا

So let those fight in the cause of Allah who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter. And he who fights in the cause of Allah and is killed or achieves victory - We will bestow upon him a great reward.

لَّا يَسْتَوِى ٱلْقَٰعِدُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ غَيْرُ أُو۟لِى ٱلضَّرَرِ وَٱلْمُجَٰهِدُونَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ ۚ فَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُجَٰهِدِينَ بِأَمْوَٰلِهِمْ وَأَنفُسِهِمْ عَلَى ٱلْقَٰعِدِينَ دَرَجَةًۭ ۚ وَكُلًّۭا وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ وَفَضَّلَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمُجَٰهِدِينَ عَلَى ٱلْقَٰعِدِينَ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًۭا

Not equal are those believers remaining [at home] - other than the disabled - and the mujahideen, [who strive and fight] in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has preferred the mujahideen through their wealth and their lives over those who remain [behind], by degrees. And to both Allah has promised the best [reward]. But Allah has preferred the mujahideen over those who remain [behind] with a great reward -

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا ضَرَبْتُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ فَتَبَيَّنُوا۟ وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ لِمَنْ أَلْقَىٰٓ إِلَيْكُمُ ٱلسَّلَٰمَ لَسْتَ مُؤْمِنًۭا تَبْتَغُونَ عَرَضَ ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا فَعِندَ ٱللَّهِ مَغَانِمُ كَثِيرَةٌۭ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ كُنتُم مِّن قَبْلُ فَمَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَتَبَيَّنُوٓا۟ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًۭا

O you who have believed, when you go forth [to fight] in the cause of Allah, investigate; and do not say to one who gives you [a greeting of] peace "You are not a believer," aspiring for the goods of worldly life; for with Allah are many acquisitions. You [yourselves] were like that before; then Allah conferred His favor upon you, so investigate. Indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.

سُورَةُ التَّوۡبَةِ

At-Tawba (The Repentance)

1 ayah

ٱنفِرُوا۟ خِفَافًۭا وَثِقَالًۭا وَجَٰهِدُوا۟ بِأَمْوَٰلِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

Go forth, whether light or heavy, and strive with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah. That is better for you, if you only knew.

سُورَةُ الأَنفَالِ

Al-Anfaal (The Spoils of War)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَمَن يُوَلِّهِمْ يَوْمَئِذٍۢ دُبُرَهُۥٓ إِلَّا مُتَحَرِّفًۭا لِّقِتَالٍ أَوْ مُتَحَيِّزًا إِلَىٰ فِئَةٍۢ فَقَدْ بَآءَ بِغَضَبٍۢ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَأْوَىٰهُ جَهَنَّمُ ۖ وَبِئْسَ ٱلْمَصِيرُ

And whoever turns his back to them on such a day, unless swerving [as a strategy] for war or joining [another] company, has certainly returned with anger [upon him] from Allah, and his refuge is Hell - and wretched is the destination.

Common Words

128 total92 unique19 repeated

ٱلله12x

فى5x

سبيل5x

من3x

ٱلذين2x

ٱلحيوة2x

ٱلدنيا2x

ومن2x

أو2x

أجرا2x

عظيما2x

بأمولهم2x

وأنفسهم2x

ٱلمجهدين2x

على2x

ٱلقعدين2x

إن2x

كنتم2x

فتبينوا2x

فليقتل1x

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About Sunan an-Nasa'i

This hadith is #4205 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of al-Bay'ah. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated from Muadah bin Jabal that the Messenger of Allah said:.

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