While we were with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) who was distributing (i.e. some property), there came Dhu-l- Khuwaisira, a man from the tribe of Bani Tamim and said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Do Justice." The Prophet said, "Woe to you! Who could do justice if I did not? I would be a desperate loser if I did not do justice." `Umar said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Allow me to chop his head off." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Leave him, for he has companions who pray and fast in such a way that you will consider your fasting negligible in comparison to theirs. They recite Qur'an but it does not go beyond their throats (i.e. they do not act on it) and they will desert Islam as an arrow goes through a victim's body, so that the hunter, on looking at the arrow's blade, would see nothing on it; he would look at its Risaf and see nothing: he would look at its Na,di and see nothing, and he would look at its Qudhadh ( 1 ) and see nothing (neither meat nor blood), for the arrow has been too fast even for the blood and excretions to smear. The sign by which they will be recognized is that among them there will be a black man, one of whose arms will resemble a woman's breast or a lump of meat moving loosely. Those people will appear when there will be differences amongst the people." I testify that I heard this narration from Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and I testify that `Ali bin Abi Talib fought with such people, and I was in his company. He ordered that the man (described by the Prophet (ﷺ) ) should be looked for. The man was brought and I looked at him and noticed that he looked exactly as the Prophet (ﷺ) had described him.
Context and Background
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 3610 describes a pivotal moment during the Prophet's distribution of wealth, where Dhu-l-Khuwaisira from Bani Tamim publicly challenged the Prophet's justice, demonstrating early signs of religious extremism.
Scholarly Commentary on the Incident
The Prophet's response "Woe to you! Who could do justice if I did not?" affirms his infallibility in matters of divine distribution. Classical scholars note this establishes the principle that questioning the Prophet's judgment in such matters constitutes disobedience.
Umar's immediate reaction to execute the man demonstrates the severity of publicly challenging prophetic authority, yet the Prophet's restraint teaches the importance of wisdom over haste in dealing with dissenters.
The Khawarij: Characteristics and Dangers
The Prophet's detailed description outlines the defining traits of the Khawarij sect: outward piety with inward corruption. Their fasting and prayer appear superior, but the Qur'an doesn't penetrate their hearts.
The arrow analogy illustrates their complete departure from Islam's essence - just as an arrow passes cleanly through prey, they exit religion without carrying any of its true spirit or substance.
Scholars emphasize that their fundamental error was judging others based on superficial understanding while neglecting the comprehensive nature of Islamic justice and mercy.
Physical Description and Prophetic Accuracy
The specific physical markers, particularly the black man with arm resembling moving flesh, served as definitive identification. Classical commentators note this demonstrates the perfection of prophetic knowledge.
The witness's testimony confirming the exact match between description and reality when Ali ibn Abi Talib confronted them validates the prophecy's literal fulfillment.
Contemporary Relevance and Lessons
This hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari's "Virtues and Merits" serves as eternal warning against religious extremism that prioritizes outward rituals over inner transformation and comprehensive understanding.
Scholars throughout Islamic history have referenced this narration to combat sectarianism and remind Muslims that true faith combines correct belief, proper worship, and sound character - not mere ritual performance.