"I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: 'By the One in Whose hand is my soul, were it not for the fact that there are some believing men who would not feel happy to stay behind (when I go out on a campaign) and I do not have the means to provide them with mounts (so that they cn join me), I would not have stayed behind from any campaign or battle in the cause of Allah. By the One in Whose hand is my soul, I wish that I could be killed in the cause of Allah, then brought back to life, then be killed, then be brought back to life, then be killed then be brought back to life, then be killed.'"
Hadith Text & Context
"I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: 'By the One in Whose hand is my soul, were it not for the fact that there are some believing men who would not feel happy to stay behind (when I go out on a campaign) and I do not have the means to provide them with mounts (so that they can join me), I would not have stayed behind from any campaign or battle in the cause of Allah. By the One in Whose hand is my soul, I wish that I could be killed in the cause of Allah, then brought back to life, then be killed, then be brought back to life, then be killed then be brought back to life, then be killed.'"
This profound narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i 3098 in The Book of Jihad demonstrates the Prophet's ultimate devotion to jihad and his concern for the Muslim community's unity.
Scholarly Commentary
The Prophet's triple oath "By the One in Whose hand is my soul" emphasizes the absolute sincerity and truthfulness of his statement, indicating the profound importance of this matter in Islamic teachings.
The Prophet's willingness to sacrifice his life repeatedly demonstrates the highest level of love for Allah and the ultimate aspiration for martyrdom. This serves as a powerful lesson for Muslims about the value of striving in Allah's cause.
The mention of believers who would be distressed at being left behind shows the Prophet's compassionate leadership and understanding of human psychology. He prioritized community harmony and prevented potential resentment among those unable to participate due to logistical constraints.
Legal & Spiritual Implications
This hadith establishes the superior merit of jihad and martyrdom in Islam while simultaneously teaching the importance of considering the community's welfare and available resources.
The Prophet's repeated desire for martyrdom illustrates that the highest station a believer can attain is dying while striving in Allah's path. This serves as inspiration for Muslims to cultivate similar devotion.
The practical consideration of providing mounts demonstrates that Islamic rulings consider both spiritual aspirations and worldly realities, balancing ideal goals with practical limitations.