Sunan Abu Dawud

Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib: Ali ibn Rabi'ah said: I was present with Ali while a beast was brought to him to ride. When he put his foot in the stirrup, he said: "In the name of Allah." Then when he sat on its back, he said: "Praise be to Allah." He then said: "Glory be to Him Who has made this subservient to us, for we had not the strength, and to our Lord do we return." He then said: "Praise be to Allah (thrice); Allah is Most Great (thrice): glory be to Thee, I have wronged myself, so forgive me, for only Thou forgivest sins." He then laughed. He was asked: At what did you laugh? He replied: I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) do as I have done, and laugh after that. I asked: Messenger of Allah , at what are you laughing? He replied: Your Lord, Most High, is pleased with His servant when he says: "Forgive me my sins." He know that no one forgives sins except Him

Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr: When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was travelling and night came on, he said: O earth, my Lord and your Lord is Allah; I seek refuge in Allah from your evil, the evil of what you contain, the evil of what has been created in you, and the evil of what creeps upon you; I seek refuge in Allah from lions, from large black snakes, from other snakes, from scorpions, from the evil of jinn which inhabit a settlement, and from a parent and his offspring

Jabir bin ‘Abd Allaah reported the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) as saying “Do not send out your beasts when the sun has set till the darkness of the night prevails, for the devils grope about in the dark when the sun has set till the darkness of the night prevails.”

Narrated Ka'b ibn Malik: It was rarely that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) set out on a journey on any day but on a Thursday

Narrated Sakhr al-Ghamidi: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "O Allah, bless my people in their early mornings." When he sent out a detachment or an army, he sent them at the beginning of the day. Sakhr was a merchant, and he would send off his merchandise at the beginning of the day; and he became rich and had much wealth. Abu Dawud said: He is Sakhr b. Wada'ah

Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: A single rider is a devil, and a pair of riders are a pair of devils, but three are a company of riders

Narrated AbuSa'id al-Khudri: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: When three are on a journey, they should appoint one of them as their commander

Narrated AbuHurayrah: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: When three are on a journey, they should appoint one of them as their commander. Nafi' said: We said to AbuSalamah: You are our commander

‘Abd Allaah bin ‘Umar said “The Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) prohibited to travel with a copy of the Qur’an to the enemy territory. The narrator Malik said “(It is) I think lest the enemy should take it

Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: The best number of companions is four, the best number in expeditions four hundred, and the best number in armies four thousand; and twelve thousand will not be overcome through smallness of numbers. Abu Dawud said: What is correct is that this tradition is mursal (i.e. the link of the Companion is missing)

Sulaiman bin Buraidah reported on the authority of his father. When the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) appointed a Commander over an Army or a detachment, he instructed him to fear Allaah himself and consider the welfare of the Muslims who were with him. He then said “When you meet the polytheists who are your enemy, summon them tone of three things and accept whichever of them they are willing to agree to, and refrain from them. Summon them to Islam and if they agree, accept it from them and refrain from them. Then summon them to leave their territory and transfer to the abode of the Emigrants and tell them that if they do so, they will have the same rights and responsibilities as the Emigrants, but if they refuse and choose their own abode, tell them that they will be like the desert Arabs who are Muslims subject to Allaah’s jurisdiction which applies to the believers, but will have no spoil or booty unless they strive with the Muslims. If they refuse demand jizyah (poll tax) from them, if they agree accept it from them and refrain from them. But if they refuse, seek Alaah’s help and fight with them. When you invade the fortress and they (its people) offer to capitulate and have the matter referred to Allaah’s jurisdiction, do not grant this, for you do not know whether or not you will hit on Allaah’s jurisdiction regarding them. But let them capitulate and have the matter refereed to your jurisdiction and make a decision about them later on as you wish. Sufyan (bin ‘Uyainah) said thah ‘Alqamah said “I mentioned this tradition to Muqatil bin Habban, He said “Muslim narrated it to me.” Abu Dawud said “He is Ibn Haidam narrated from Al Nu’man in Muqqarin from the Prophet (ﷺ) like the tradition of Sulaiman bin Buraidah

Sulaiman bin Buraidah reported on his father’s authority The Prophet(ﷺ) said “Fight in the name of Allaah and in the path of Allaah and with him who disbelieves in Allaah fight and do not be treacherous and do not be dishonest about boot yand do not deface (in killing) and do not kill a child.”

Narrated Anas ibn Malik: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Go in Allah's name, trusting in Allah, and adhering to the religion of Allah's Apostle. Do not kill a decrepit old man, or a young infant, or a child, or a woman; do not be dishonest about booty, but collect your spoils, do right and act well, for Allah loves those who do well

Ibn “umar said “The Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) burned the palm tree of Banu Al Nadr and cut (them) down at Al Buwairah. So, Allaah the exalted sent down “the palm trees you cut down or left.”

Narrated Usamah: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) enjoined upon him to attack Ubna in the morning and burn the place

Abu Mishar was told about Ubna. He said “We know it better. This is Yubna of Palestine

Anas said “the Prophet(ﷺ) sent Busaisah as a spy to see what the caravan of Abu Sufyan was doing.”

Narrated Samurah ibn Jundub: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: When one of you comes to the cattle, he should seek permission of their master if he is there; if he permits, he should milk (the animals) and drink. If he is not there, he should call three times. If he responds, he should seek his permission; otherwise, he may milk (the animals) and drink, but should not carry (with him)

Narrated Abbad ibn Shurahbil: I suffered from drought; so I entered a garden of Medina, and rubbed an ear-corn. I ate and carried in my garment. Then its master came, he beat me and took my garment. He came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) who said to him: You did not teach him if he was ignorant; and you did not feed him if he was hungry. He ordered him, so he returned my garment to me, and gave me one or half a wasq (sixty or thirty sa's) of corn

Abu Bishr said “I heard ‘Abbad bin ‘Shurahbil a man of us from Banu Ghubar. He narrated the reast of the tradition to the same effect.”

Narrated The uncle of AbuRafi ibn Amr al-Ghifari: I was a boy. I used to throw stones at the palm-trees of the Ansar. So I was brought to the Prophet (ﷺ) who said: O boy, why do you throw stones at the palm-trees? I said: eat (dates). He said: Do not throw stones at the palm trees, but eat what falls beneath them. He then wiped his head and said: O Allah, fill his belly

‘Abd Allah bin Umar reported the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) as saying “One should not milk the cattle of anyone without his permission. Does anyone of you like that any one approaches his corn cell and its storage is broken and then the corn scatters away? Likewise, the teats of their Cattle store their food. Therefore none of you should milk the cattle of anyone without his permission.”

Ibn Juraij said “O ye who believe, Obey Allaah and obey the Apostle and those charged with authority amongst you.” This verse was revealed about ‘Abd Allaah bin Qais bin ‘Adi whom the Prophet (ﷺ) sent along with a detachment. Ya’la narrated it to me from Sa’id bin Jubair on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas

‘Ali (Allaah be pleased with him) said “The Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) sent an army and appointed a man as a commander for them and he commanded them to listen to him and obey. He kindled fire and ordered them to jump into it. A group refused to enter into it and said “We escaped from the fire; a group intended to enter into it. When the Prophet (ﷺ) was informed about it, he said “Had they entered into it, they would have remained into it. There is no obedience in matters involving disobedience to Allaah. Obedience is in matters which are good and universally recognized

‘Abd Allaah bin Masud reported the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) as saying “Listening and Obedience are binding on a Muslim whether he likes or dislikes, so long as he is not commanded for disobedience (to Allaah). If he is commanded to disobedience (to Allaah), no listening and disobedience are binding (on him)

Narrated Uqbah ibn Malik: The Prophet (ﷺ) sent a detachment. I gave a sword to a man from among them. When he came back, he said: Would that you saw us how the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) rebuked us, saying: When I sent out a man who does not fulfil my command, are you unable to appoint in his place one who will fulfil my command

Narrated AbuTha'labah al-Khushani: When the people encamped, (the narrator Amr ibn Uthman al-Himsi) said: When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) encamped, the people scattered in the glens and wadis. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Your scattering in these glens and wadis is only of the devil. They afterwards kept close together when they encamped to such an extent that it used to be said that if a cloth were spread over them, it would cover them all

Narrated Mu'adh ibn Anas al-Juhani: I fought along with the Prophet (ﷺ) in such and such battles. The people occupied much space and encroached on the road. The Prophet (ﷺ) sent an announcer to announce among the people: Those who occupy much space or encroach on the road will not be credited with jihad

Sahl bin Mu’adh reported on the authority of his father “We fought along with the Prophet of Allaah(ﷺ). The rest of the tradition is to the same effect.”

Salim Abu Al Nadr, client of ‘Umar bin ‘Ubaid Allaah that is Ibn Ma’mar who Salim was his (‘Umar’s) secretary reported “When ‘Abd Allah bin Abi Afwa went out to the Haruriyyah (Khawarij), he wrote to him (‘Umar bin ‘Ubaid Allaah), The Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) said on a ceratin day when he was fighting with the enemy. O people do not desire to meet the enemy, ask Allaah, Most High, for health and security. When you meet them (the enemy) have patience and endurance, you should know that paradise is under the shade of swords. He then said “O Allaah, Who sends down the Book, makes the cloud to travel and rotes the confederates, tout them and give us victory over them.”

Narrated Anas ibn Malik: When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went on an expedition, he said: O Allah, Thou art my aider and helper; by Thee I move, by Thee I attack, and by Thee I fight

Ibn ‘Awn said “I wrote to Nafi’ asking him about summoning the polytheists (to Islam) at the time of fighting. So, he wrote to me “This was in the early days of Islam. The Prophet of Allaah(ﷺ) attacked Banu Al Mustaliq while they were inattentive and their cattle were drinking water. So their fighters were killed and the survivors (i.e., women and children) were taken prisoners. On that day Juwairiyyah daughter of Al Harith was obtained. ‘Abd Allaah narrated this to me, he was in that army.” Abu Dawud said “This is a good tradition narrtted by Ibn ‘Awn from Nafi’ and no one shared him in narrating it.”

Anas said “The Prophet (ﷺ) used to attack at the time of the dawn prayer and hear. If he heard a call to prayer, he would refrain from them, otherwise would attack (them)

Narrated Isam al-Muzani: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent us in a detachment and said (to us): If you see a mosque or hear a mu'adhdhin (calling to prayer), do not kill anyone

Jabir reported the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) as saying “War is deception.”

Narrated Ka'b ibn Malik: When the Prophet (ﷺ) intended to go on an expedition, he always pretended to be going somewhere else, and he would say: War is deception. Abu Dawud said: Only Ma'mar has transmitted this tradition. By this he refers to his statement "War is deception" through this chain of narrators. He narrated it from the tradition of 'Amr b. Dinar from Jabir, and from the tradition of Ma'mar from Hammam b. Munabbih on the authority of Abu Hurairah

Narrated Salamah ibn al-Akwa': 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 Jabir ibn Abdullah: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to keep to the rear when travelling and urge on the weak. He would take someone up behind him and make supplication for them all

Abu Hurairah reported the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) as saying “ I am commanded to fight with men till they testify that there is no god but Allaah, when they do that they will keep their life and property safe from me, except what is due to them. (i.e., life and property) and their reckoning will be at Allaah’s hands.”

Narrated Anas ibn Malik: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: I am commanded to fight with men till they testify that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is His servant and His Apostle, face our qiblah (direction of prayer), eat what we slaughter, and pray like us. When they do that, their life and property are unlawful for us except what is due to them. They will have the same rights as the Muslims have, and have the same responsibilities as the Muslims have

Anas bin Malik reported the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) as saying “ I am commanded to fight with the polytheists. The rest of the tradition is to the same effect as mentioned above.”

Usamah bin Zaid said “The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent us with a detachment to Al Huruqat. They learnt about us and fled away. But we found a man, when we attacked him he uttered “There is no god but Allaah, still we struck him till we killed him.” When I mentioned it to the Prophet (ﷺ) he said “Who will save you from “There is no god but Allaah” on the Day of Judgment? I said “Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), he uttered it for the fear of the weapon.” He said “Did you tear his heart so that you learnt whether he actually uttered it for this or not. Who will support you against “There is no god but Allaah”? He kept on repeating this till I wished I would have embraced Islam on that day

Al Miqdad bin Al Aswad reported that he said “Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) tell me if I meet a man who is a disbeliever and he fights with me and cuts off one hand of mine with the sword and then takes refuge by a tree and says “I embraced Islam for Allah’s sake. Should I kill him, Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) after he uttered it (the credo of Islam)? The Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) said “Do not kill him”. I said “Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ), he cut off my hand. The Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) said, Do not kill him. I f you kill him, he will become like you before you kill him and you will become like him before he uttered his credo which he has uttered now

Narrated Jarir ibn Abdullah: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent an expedition to Khath'am. Some people sought protection by having recourse to prostration, and were hastily killed. When the Prophet (ﷺ) heard that, he ordered half the blood-wit to be paid for them, saying: I am not responsible for any Muslim who stays among polytheists. They asked: Why, Messenger of Allah? He said: Their fires should not be visible to one another. Abu Dawud said: Hushaim, Ma'mar, Khalid b. al-Wasiti and a group of narrators have also narrated it, but did not mention Jarir

Ibn ‘Abbas said “When the verse “If there are twenty amongst you patient and persevering, they will vanquish two hundred” was revealed. It was heavy and troublesome for Muslims when Allaah prescribed for them that one (fighting Muslim) should not fly from ten (fighting Non-Muslims). Then a light commandment was revealed saying “For the present Allaah hath lightened your (task).” The narrator Abu Tawbah recited the verse to “they will vanquish two hundred.” When Allaah lightened the number, patient and perseverance also decreased according to the number lightened from them.”

Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar: Ibn Umar was sent with a detachment of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). The people wheeled round in flight. He said: I was one of those who wheeled round in flight. When we stopped, we said (i.e. thought): How should we do? We have run away from the battlefield and deserve Allah's wrath. Then we said (thought): Let us enter Medina, stay there, and go there while no one sees us. So we entered (Medina) and thought: If we present ourselves before the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and if there is a change of repentance for us, we shall stay; if there is something else, we shall go away. So we sat down (waiting) for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) before the dawn prayer. When he came out, we stood up to him and said: We are the ones who have fled. He turned to us and said: No, you are the ones who return to fight after wheeling away. We then approached and kissed his hand, and he said; I am the main body of the Muslims

Abu Sa’id said “The verse “If any do turn his back to them on such a day” was revealed on the day of the Battle of Badr.”

Khabbab said “We came to the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) while he was reclining on an outer garment in the shade of the Ka’bah. Complaining to him we said “Do you not ask Allaah for help for us? And do you not pray to Allaah for us? He sat aright turning red in his face and said “A man before you (i.e., in ancient times) was caught and a pit was dug for him in the earth and then a saw was brought placed on his head and it was broken into two pieces but that did not turn him away from his religion. They were combed in iron combs in flesh and sinews above the bones. Even that did not turn them away from their religion. I swear by Allaah, Allaah will accomplish this affair until a rider will travel between San’a and Hadramaut and he will not fear anyone except Allaah, Most High(nor will he fear the attack of) a wolf on his sheep, but you are making haste

‘Ali said “The Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) sent me Al Zubair and Al Miqdad and said “Go till you come to the meadow of Khakh for there Is a woman there travelling on a Camel who has a letter which you must take from her. We went off racing one another on our horses till we came to the meadow and when we found the woman, we aid “Bring out the letter. She said “I have no letter”. I said “You must bring out the letter else we strip off your clothes”. She then brought it out from the tresses and we took it to the Prophet(ﷺ). It was addressed from Hatib bin Abi Balta’ah to some of the polytheists(in Makkah) giving them some information about the Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ). He asked “What is this, Hatib? He replied, Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) do not be hasty with me. I have been a man attached as an ally to the Quraish and am not one of them while those of the Quraish (i.e. the emigrants) have relationship with them by which they guarded their family in Makkah. As I did not have that advantage I wanted to give them some help for which they might guard my relations. I swear by Allaah I am not guilty of unbelief or apostasy (from my religion). The Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) said “he has told you the truth. ‘Umar said “Let me cut off this hypocrite’s head. The Apostle of Allaah(ﷺ) said “He was present at Badr and what do you know, perhaps Allaah might look with pity on those who were present at Badr? And said “Do what you wish, I have forgiven you.”

‘Ali said “Hatib went and wrote to the people of Makkah that Muhammad (ﷺ) is going to proceed to them. This version has “She said “I have no letter. We made her Camel kneel down, but we did not find any letter with her. ’Ali said “By Him in Whose name oath is taken, I shall kill you or you should bring out the letter. He then narrated the rest of the tradition