Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) visited me to inquire after my health, the rest of the hadith is the same as transmitted on the authority of Zuhri, but lie did not make mention of the words of Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) in regard to Sa'd b. Khaula except this that he said:" He (the Holy Prophet) did not like death in the land from which lie had migrated."
The Book of Wills - Sahih Muslim 1628 c
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise is to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon His final Messenger Muhammad.
Hadith Text
"Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) visited me to inquire after my health, the rest of the hadith is the same as transmitted on the authority of Zuhri, but he did not make mention of the words of Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) in regard to Sa'd b. Khaula except this that he said: 'He (the Holy Prophet) did not like death in the land from which he had migrated.'"
Commentary on the Migration Principle
This narration reveals a profound spiritual principle regarding the sanctity of migration (hijrah) for the sake of Allah. The Prophet's dislike for dying in the land one migrated from signifies the eternal bond between a believer and the land of Islam. When a Muslim abandons his homeland for Allah's pleasure, that migration becomes a permanent spiritual state that should not be reversed by returning to dwell in lands of disbelief.
The scholars explain that this teaching applies particularly when the original homeland remains a place where shirk prevails and Islamic law is not established. To return and die there after having migrated indicates a weakening of one's commitment to the Islamic cause and potentially a preference for the land of disbelief over the land of faith.
Historical Context of Sa'd ibn Khaula
Sa'd ibn Khaula was among the noble Companions who performed hijrah from Mecca to Medina. His case exemplifies the practical application of this principle. The Prophet's concern about him dying in Mecca underscores the spiritual danger of returning to settle in the land of shirk after having established oneself in the Muslim community.
This teaching does not prohibit temporary visits to one's original homeland for necessary purposes, but rather warns against permanent residence and death there after having been blessed with migration for Allah's sake. The hijrah represents a complete transfer of allegiance from the domain of disbelief to the domain of faith.
Contemporary Application
In our times, this principle extends to Muslims who have migrated from lands where Islam cannot be practiced fully to Muslim countries. Scholars note that returning to live and die in countries where Islamic law is absent and religious practices are hindered contradicts the spirit of hijrah. The believer should prioritize living where he can freely practice his religion and raise his children upon Islamic teachings.
This hadith reminds us that our physical location matters spiritually. Just as the early Muslims sacrificed their homelands for Allah, we must value the lands where Islam prevails and avoid settling where our faith might be compromised. May Allah grant us understanding of His religion and enable us to live and die in states pleasing to Him.