Fighting for the Cause of Allah (Jihaad)

Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “The Hour will not come until you fight the Turks, who have small eyes, red faces, and flattened noses, with faces like shields covered in layers. The Hour will not come until you fight people whose footwear is made of hair.”

Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet ﷺ said: “The Hour will not come until you fight people whose footwear is made of hair, and the Hour will not come until you fight people whose faces are like shields covered in layers.” Sufyan said: Abu al-Zinad added in his transmission from al-Aʿraj, from Abu Huraira, as a Prophetic report: “Small-eyed, flattened-nosed, their faces like layered shields.”

A man asked al-Bara: “Abu Umara, did you flee on the day of Hunayn?” He replied: “No, by Allah! The Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not turn away. Rather, his young and lightly equipped companions came out without armor. They encountered archers from the Hawazin and Banu Nasr, whose arrows rarely missed. They shot volleys at them and hardly missed. The companions then came toward the Prophet ﷺ, who was riding his white mule, led by his cousin Abu Sufyan bin al-Harith bin Abd al-Muttalib. He dismounted, sought Allah’s aid, and said: ‘I am the Prophet—this is no lie. I am the son of Abd al-Muttalib.’ Then he arranged his companions in ranks.”

Ali reported: On the day of the Confederates, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “May Allah fill their homes and graves with fire! They kept us from the middle prayer when the sun had set.”

Abu Huraira reported: During qunut, the Prophet ﷺ used to supplicate: “O Allah, rescue Salama bin Hisham. O Allah, rescue al-Walid bin al-Walid. O Allah, rescue Ayyash bin Abi Rabiʿa. O Allah, rescue the vulnerable among the believers. O Allah, make Your pressure upon Mudar severe. O Allah, years like the years of Joseph.”

Ahmad ibn Muhammad narrated to us; Abdullah informed us; Isma'il ibn Abi Khalid informed us that he heard Abdullah ibn Abi Awfa (may Allah be pleased with them both) say: On the day of al-Ahzab, the Messenger of Allah invoked Allah against the polytheists and said, ‘O Allah, Revealer of the Book, Swift in reckoning, defeat the confederates. O Allah, defeat them and shake them.’

Abdullah ibn Abi Shayba narrated to us; Ja'far ibn 'Awn narrated to us; Sufyan narrated to us from Abu Ishaq, from 'Amr ibn Maymun, from Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: The Prophet (ﷺ) was praying in the shade of the Kaaba. Abu Jahl and some men of Quraysh said [to one another], and a she-camel was slaughtered in the outskirts of Mecca. They sent for some of its afterbirth, and when it was brought, they threw it over him. Fatima came and removed it from him. He said, ‘O Allah, deal with Quraysh!’ three times. [Those named were] Abu Jahl ibn Hisham, 'Utba ibn Rabi'a, Shayba ibn Rabi'a, al-Walid ibn 'Utba, Ubayy ibn Khalaf, and 'Uqba ibn Abi Mu'ayt. Abdullah said: I indeed saw them dead in the well of Badr. Abu Ishaq said: I forgot the seventh. Yusuf ibn Ishaq, reporting from Abu Ishaq, said: Umayya ibn Khalaf. Shu'ba said: Umayya or Ubayy. The correct name is Umayya.

Sulayman ibn Harb narrated to us; Hammad narrated to us from Ayyub, from Ibn Abi Mulayka, from 'Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): The Jews came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, ‘Death be upon you.’ I cursed them. He said, ‘What is the matter with you?’ I said, ‘Did you not hear what they said?’ He replied, ‘Did you not hear what I said? And upon you.’

Ishaq narrated to us; Ya'qub ibn Ibrahim informed us; Ibn Shihab's nephew narrated to us from his uncle, who said: 'Ubayd Allah ibn 'Abdullah ibn 'Utba ibn Mas'ud informed me that 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) told him that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) wrote to Caesar and said, ‘If you turn away, then upon you is the sin of the arisiyyin.’

Abu al-Yaman narrated to us; Shu'ayb informed us; Abu al-Zinad narrated to us from 'Abd al-Rahman, who said: Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Tufayl ibn 'Amr al-Dawsi and his companions came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, ‘Messenger of Allah, Daws have disobeyed and refused; so invoke Allah against them.’ It was said, ‘Daws are doomed.’ He said, ‘O Allah, guide Daws and bring them to me.’

'Ali ibn al-Ja'd narrated to us; Shu'ba informed us from Qatada, who said: I heard Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) say: When the Prophet (ﷺ) intended to write to the Byzantines, he was told, ‘They do not read a letter unless it is sealed.’ So he had a silver ring made. It is as though I can see its whiteness on his hand. He engraved on it: ‘Muhammad, Messenger of Allah.’

'Abdullah ibn Yusuf narrated to us; al-Layth narrated to us and said: 'Uqayl narrated to me from Ibn Shihab, who said: 'Ubayd Allah ibn 'Abdullah ibn 'Utba informed me that 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas told him that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sent his letter to Kisra and instructed him to deliver it to the governor of Bahrain, who would deliver it to Kisra. When Kisra read it, he tore it up. I think Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab said: The Prophet (ﷺ) then supplicated against them that they be utterly scattered.

Ibrahim ibn Hamza narrated to us; Ibrahim ibn Sa'd narrated to us from Salih ibn Kaysan, from Ibn Shihab, from 'Ubayd Allah ibn 'Abdullah ibn 'Utba, from 'Abdullah ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both), who informed him that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) wrote to Caesar, inviting him to Islam. He sent his letter with Dihya al-Kalbi and instructed him to hand it to the governor of Busra, so that the governor could deliver it to Caesar. When Allah had driven the Persian forces away from Caesar, Caesar walked from Hims to Iliya, in gratitude for what Allah had granted him. When the Messenger of Allah's letter reached Caesar, he read it and said, 'Find someone here from his people so that I may ask them about the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).'

Ibn 'Abbas said: Abu Sufyan informed me that he was in al-Sham with some men of Quraysh who had come as merchants during the truce between the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and the disbelievers of Quraysh. Abu Sufyan said: Caesar's envoy found us somewhere in al-Sham and took me and my companions with him until we reached Iliya. We were admitted to Caesar and found him seated in his royal court, wearing a crown, with the Roman dignitaries around him. He said to his interpreter, 'Ask them which of them is closest in kinship to this man who claims to be a prophet.' Abu Sufyan said: I replied, 'I am the closest of them in kinship.' He asked, 'What is your relationship to him?' I said, 'He is my cousin.' At that time, I was the only one in the caravan from Banu 'Abd Manaf. Caesar said, 'Bring him near.' He ordered my companions to stand behind me, beside my shoulders, then said to his interpreter, 'Tell his companions: I am going to ask this man about the one who claims to be a prophet. If he lies, contradict him.' Abu Sufyan said: By Allah, had I not been ashamed that my companions might report a lie from me, I would have lied about him when Caesar asked me. But I was ashamed that they might report a lie from me, so I told the truth.

Then Caesar said to his interpreter, 'Ask him: What is this man's standing among you by lineage?' I replied, 'He is of distinguished lineage among us.' He asked, 'Has anyone among you made this claim before him?' I replied, 'No.' He said, 'Did you accuse him of lying before he made this claim?' I replied, 'No.' He asked, 'Was any of his forefathers a king?' I replied, 'No.' He said, 'Do the eminent people follow him, or the weak?' I replied, 'Rather, the weak.' He asked, 'Are they increasing or decreasing?' I replied, 'Rather, they are increasing.' He asked, 'Does anyone turn back in resentment from his religion after entering it?' I replied, 'No.' He asked, 'Does he betray?' I replied, 'No, but we are now in a truce with him, and we fear that he may betray us.' Abu Sufyan said: I could find no opportunity to insert anything against him except that remark, and I feared it would be reported from me. Caesar asked, 'Have you fought him, or has he fought you?' I replied, 'Yes.' He asked, 'How have the fighting and the outcome between you been?' I said, 'It has alternated: one time the advantage is ours, and another time it is his.' He asked, 'What does he command you to do?' I replied, 'He commands us to worship Allah alone and associate nothing with Him in worship; he forbids us what our forefathers used to worship; and he commands us to pray, give charity, be chaste, keep covenants, and render trusts.'

When I had said that, Caesar told his interpreter, 'Say to him: I asked you about his lineage among you, and you said that he is of distinguished lineage. Such is how messengers are sent among the distinguished lineage of their people. I asked you whether anyone among you had made this claim before him, and you said no. Had someone among you made this claim before him, I would have said that this is a man following a statement made before him. I asked you whether you had accused him of lying before he made this claim, and you said no. So I know that he would not have abandoned lying to people only to lie about Allah. I asked you whether any of his forefathers was a king, and you said no. Had one of his forefathers been a king, I would have said that he seeks the kingdom of his forefathers. I asked you whether the eminent people or the weak follow him, and you said the weak follow him; they are the followers of messengers. I asked you whether they are increasing or decreasing, and you said they are increasing. Such is faith until it is complete. I asked you whether anyone turns back in resentment from his religion after entering it, and you said no. Such is faith: when its joy mingles with hearts, no one resents it. I asked you whether he betrays, and you said no. Such is the way of messengers: they do not betray. I asked you whether you fought him and he fought you, and you said that it happened, and that the outcome between you alternates, with the advantage sometimes yours and sometimes his. Such is the way of messengers: they are tested, and the final outcome is theirs. I asked you what he commands you to do, and you said that he commands you to worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, forbids you what your forefathers used to worship, and commands you to pray, speak truthfully, be chaste, keep covenants, and render trusts.' He said, 'This is the description of a prophet. I knew that he would appear, but I did not think he would be from among you. If what you have said is true, he will soon rule the place beneath these two feet of mine. If I hoped I could reach him, I would go to great lengths to meet him; and if I were with him, I would wash his feet.'

Abu Sufyan said: Caesar then called for the Messenger of Allah's letter, and it was read. It said: 'In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. From Muhammad, the servant of Allah and His Messenger, to Heraclius, the great ruler of the Romans. Peace be upon whoever follows guidance. To proceed: I invite you with the call of Islam. Submit, and you will be safe; submit, and Allah will give you your reward twice over. But if you turn away, then upon you is the sin of the arisiyyin. O People of the Book, come to a word common between us and you: that we worship none but Allah, associate nothing with Him, and that none of us take others as lords besides Allah. But if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are Muslims.'

Abu Sufyan said: When Caesar had finished speaking, the voices of the Roman dignitaries around him rose, and their uproar grew loud; I could not make out what they were saying. We were ordered to leave and were taken out. When I went out with my companions and was alone with them, I said, 'The matter of Ibn Abi Kabsha has become great: this king of the Banu al-Asfar fears him.' Abu Sufyan said: By Allah, I remained humiliated, certain that his cause would prevail, until Allah placed Islam in my heart, even though I disliked it.

'Abdullah ibn Maslama al-Qa'nabi narrated to us; 'Abd al-'Aziz ibn Abi Hazim narrated to us from his father, from Sahl ibn Sa'd (may Allah be pleased with him), who heard the Prophet (ﷺ) say on the day of Khaybar: ‘I will give the banner to a man through whose hands Allah will grant victory.’ The people stood hoping to be the one who would receive it. The next morning, each of them still hoped to receive it. He said, ‘Where is 'Ali?’ It was said, ‘His eyes are hurting.’ So he ordered that 'Ali be brought. He spat into his eyes, and he recovered on the spot as though he had never had any ailment. He said, ‘We will fight them until they become like us.’ He replied, ‘Proceed calmly until you reach their territory. Then invite them to Islam and tell them what is required of them. By Allah, if even one man is guided through you, that is better for you than red camels.’

'Abdullah ibn Muhammad narrated to us; Mu'awiya ibn 'Amr narrated to us; Abu Ishaq narrated to us from Humayd, who said: I heard Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) say: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) went on a campaign against a people, he would not attack until morning. If he heard a call to prayer, he held back; if he did not hear a call to prayer, he attacked after dawn. We arrived at Khaybar at night.

Qutayba narrated to us; Isma'il ibn Ja'far narrated to us from Humayd, from Anas, that the Prophet (ﷺ), whenever he went on a campaign with us.

'Abdullah ibn Maslama narrated to us, from Malik, from Humayd, from Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), that the Prophet (ﷺ) set out for Khaybar and reached it at night. Whenever he came to a people by night, he would not attack them until morning. When morning came, the Jews went out with their spades and baskets. When they saw him, they said, ‘Muhammad, by Allah! Muhammad and the army!’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘Allah is greatest! Khaybar is ruined! When we alight in a people's territory, wretched is the morning of those who were warned.’

Abu al-Yaman narrated to us; Shu'ayb informed us from al-Zuhri; Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab narrated to us that Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, ‘I have been commanded to fight the people until they say: There is no god but Allah. Whoever says there is no god but Allah has protected his life and property from me, except by its due right; and his reckoning is with Allah.’ 'Umar and Ibn 'Umar also narrated it from the Prophet (ﷺ).

Yahya ibn Bukayr narrated to us; al-Layth narrated to us from 'Uqayl, from Ibn Shihab, who said: 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Abdullah ibn Ka'b ibn Malik informed me that 'Abdullah ibn Ka'b (may Allah be pleased with him), who used to lead Ka'b among his sons, said: I heard Ka'b ibn Malik speak when he had stayed behind from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Whenever the Messenger of Allah intended an expedition, he would allude to a different one.

Ahmad ibn Muhammad narrated to me; 'Abdullah informed us; Yunus informed us from al-Zuhri, who said: 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Abdullah ibn Ka'b ibn Malik informed me: I heard Ka'b ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) say: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) rarely intended an expedition without alluding to a different one. That continued until the expedition of Tabuk. The Messenger of Allah set out for it in intense heat, facing a long journey and a barren expanse, and an enemy force of great number. He made the situation clear to the Muslims so that they could make the preparations required for their enemy, and he told them the direction he intended to take.