# Selections from Muḥammadan Traditions/Chapter 18

XVIII
THE BOOK OF RELIGIOUS WAR
(JEHÁD)
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "By Him in whose hands is my life! If it were not that some of the men of the believers would be unhappy because they were separated from me, owing to the fact that I have not beasts upon which to mount them, I would never absent myself from the battle which they fight in the way of God. And by Him in whose hands in my life! I would certainly love to be killed in the way of God, and then brought to life, and then killed, and then brought to life, and then killed, and then brought to life."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Salmánuʾl-Fársi that he said, 'I heard the Apostle of God say, "To keep guard one day and one night in the way of God is better than a month's fast and remaining awake at night therein. Then if he dies, (the rewards of) his actions which he .used to perform flow to him, and his sustenance is appointed for him, and he becomes safe from the seducer."'—Muslim.
It is related from Zaid bin Khálid that, 'The Apostle of God said, "He who equips a warrior in the way of God, has fought himself; and he who takes the place of a warrior in his family, has fought himself."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Jábir bin Samurah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "This religion will never cease to be in force. A band of Muslims will fight for it until the day of resurrection."'—Muslim.
It is related from Anas that, 'The Apostle of God said, "There is no one who enters paradise and wishes to return to the earth and what he possessed there, except the martyr who longs to return to the earth and be killed ten times by reason of what he sees of the liberal rewards."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Sahl bin Ḥunaif that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Whoever supplicates God in truth for martyrdom, ​God will bring to him the honour of martyrs, although he die upon his bed."'—Muslim.
It is related from Anas that he said, 'The Apostle of God and his companions went on until they drew near to the polytheists at Bedr. And the polytheists advanced. And the Apostle of God said, "Rise up to paradise, the breadth of which is equal to the heavens and the earth." Then ʿUmair binuʾl-Ḥumám said, "Good! good!" The Apostle of God said, "What led thee to say, Good! good!' He replied, "By God! O Apostle of God, nothing but the hope that I might be amongst its people." He said, "Verily thou art amongst its people." Anas said, 'Then ʿUmair took out some dates from his horn and began to eat some of them. After that he said, "If I live until I eat my dates, it will certainly be a long life." Then he threw away what dates remained with him, and fought them until he was killed.'—Muslim.
It is related from ʿImrán bin Ḥuṣain that, 'The Apostle of God said, "A band of my people will continue to fight for the truth, and will overcome those that oppose them, until the last of them fights with the false Messiah."—Abú Dáud.
It is related from Ibn ʿAbbás that, 'The Apostle of God said, " There are two eyes which the fire will not touch: the eye which weeps from fear of God, and the eye which remains awake keeping watch in the way of God."—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from Abú Miqdám bin Maʿdíkarib that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The martyr has six privileges near God: he is forgiven his sins on (the shedding of) the first drop of blood, he is shown his resting-place in paradise, he is redeemed from the punishment of the grave, he is made secure from the great fear (of hell) and a crown of glory is placed on his head, one ruby of which is better than the world and all that is therein, and he will marry seventy-two wives of the huris with black eyes, and his intercession will be accepted for seventy of his relations."'—Tirmidhí, Ibn Májah.
It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin ʿOmar that, 'The Apostle of God said, " Do not ride on the sea except as a pilgrim, or as the performer of the lesser pilgrimage, or as a warrior in the way of God; for verily under the sea is a fire, and under the fire is a sea."'—Abú Dáud.
​It is related from Umm Ḥarám that, 'The Prophet said, "The traveller of the sea who is afflicted with vomiting will get the reward of a martyr, and the one who is drowned will receive the rewards of two martyrs."'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from Abú Umámah that he said, 'We went out with the Apostle of God on a warlike expedition. And a man passed by a cavern in which were some water and some herbs. And he said to himself that he would stay therein and separate himself from the world. So he asked permission of the Apostle of God in the matter. The Apostle of God replied, "I have not been sent with the Jewish religion or the Christian religion; but I have been sent with the Ḥaníf religion, the easy one. By Him in whose hands is the life of Muḥammad! the marching about in the early morning in the way of God is certainly better than the world and all that is therein. And the standing of one of you in the line of battle is better than his prayers for sixty years."'—Aḥmad.
It is related from Abú Músá that, 'The 'Apostle of God said, " Verily the doors of paradise are under the shade of swords." Then a man with worn-out clothes stood up and said, "O Abú Músá, didst them hear the Apostle of God say this?" He replied, "Yes." Then the man returned to his companions and said, " I give you my salutations." Then he broke the scabbard of his sword and threw it away,' and then went with his sword towards the enemy and smote with it until he was killed.'—Muslim.
It is related from Ḥasnáʾ bint Muʿáwiyah that she said, 'My uncle said to us, "I said to the Prophet, Who is in paradise?" He replied, "A prophet is in paradise, and, a martyr is in paradise, and a new-born child is in paradise, and one buried alive is in paradise."'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from Ibn ʿÁyid that he said, 'The Apostle of God went out to attend the funeral of a certain man. And when he was placed (in the grave) ʿOmar binuʾl-Khaṭṭáb said, "O Apostle of God, do not pray over him, for verily he was a wicked man." Then the Apostle of God turned to the people and said, "Has any one of you seen him engaged in any work of Islám?" A man replied, "Yes, O Apostle of God, he kept watch one night in the way of God." Then the Apostle of God ​prayed over him and threw earth on him and said, "Thy companions imagine that thou art amongst the people of the fire; but I bear witness that thou art amongst the people of paradise." And he said, " O ʿOmar, verily thou wilt not be asked concerning the actions of men, but will be asked concerning their natural religion."'—Al Baihaqi.
On Preparing Weapons of War
It is related from Anas that he said, 'Abú Talḥa used to defend himself and the Prophet with one shield. And Abú Talḥa was expert with the bow; and when he used to shoot arrows, the Prophet would rise up and look towards the place (where he shot) his arrows.'—Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Najíhu's-Sulahi that he said, 'I heard the Apostle of God say, "Whoever reaches the mark with an arrow in the way of God, it becomes for him high rank in paradise; and whoever shoots an arrow in the way of God, it becomes for him equal to the emancipation of a slave; and whoever grows old in the way of God, it will be for him a light on the day of resurrection."'—Al Baihaqi.
It is related from Uqbah bin ʿabd Sulahi that he heard the Apostle of God say, 'Do not cut the forelocks of horses, or their manes, or their tails. For verily their tails keep off flies, and their manes keep them warm, and blessings are bound up in their forelocks.'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from As Sáib bin Yazíd that, 'There were two coats of mail on the Prophet on the day of (the battle of) Uḥud. He wore one on top of the other.'—Abú Dáud, Ibn Májah.
It is related from Anas that he said, 'There was nothing more beloved of the Apostle of God after women than horses.'—An Nasái.
Concerning the Rules of Travelling
It is related from Kaʿb bin Málik that, 'The Prophet went out to the battle of Tabúk on a Thursday; and he used to like to go out on Thursdays.'—Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The angels do not accompany that party in which is a dog or a bell."—Muslim.
​It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The bell is Satan's musical instrument."'—Muslim.
It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin Jaʿfar that he said, 'When the Apostle of God used to arrive from a journey, he used to be met by the children of the people of his house. And he arrived from a certain journey, and I was brought to him first, and he carried me in front of him (on his beast), after that one of the sons of Fáṭimah was brought; and he mounted him behind him.' Abduʾlláh said, 'Then he took us into Madína: three of us on the one beast.'—Muslim.
It is related from Jábir that he said, 'The Apostle of God used to keep in the rear of a marching army, and help on the weak, and take them up behind him (on his beast); and he used to pray for them.'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin Maʿsúd that he said, 'On the day of (the battle of) Bedr, we were every three of us on one camel. And Abú Lubábah and ʿAlí bin abú Ṭálib and the Apostle of God were together. And when the turn of the Prophet came (to dismount and walk) we said, "We will walk instead of thee." He replied, "You are no stronger than I; nor am I more independent of rewards than you."
Concerning Letters to Infidels and Inviting them to Islám.
It is related from Ibn ʿAbbás that, 'The Prophet wrote to the (Roman) Emperor, inviting him to Islám, and he sent the letter to him by Diḥyahuʾl-Kalbi, and commanded him to deliver it to the Governor of Busrah to hand over to the Emperor. And in it (was written) "In the name of God the Merciful, the Compassionate. From Muḥammad the servant of God and His Apostle to Heraclius the Ruler of the Roman Empire. Peace be on whoever follows the guidance. After this I invite thee with the invitation of Islám. Embrace Islám, and thou wilt be safe. Embrace Islám, and God will give thee thy reward twice over. But if thou turn away, then on thee will be the sin of thy subjects. O people of the Book, come to a doctrine equal between us and you, namely that ye do not worship any except God, and do not associate anything with Him; and that some of us take not others as lords besides God. But if ye turn ​away, then say, O believers, I bear witness that we are Muslims."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Ibn ʿAbbás that, 'The Apostle of God sent a letter to Kisra (King of Persia) with ʿAbduʾlláh bin Ḥudháfahu's-Sahimi, and commanded him to deliver it to the Governor of Bahrain. And the Governor of Bahrain handed it over to Kisra. And when the latter read it, he tore it in pieces.' Ibnuʾl-Musayyib said, 'Then the Apostle of God invoked a curse upon them (saying) "May they be torn into pieces!"'—Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Sulaimán bin Buraidah, from his father, that he said, 'When the Apostle of God appointed a leader over any army or marauding band, he was in the habit of giving him orders regarding his special duties concerning the fear of God and good behaviour towards those Muslims who were with him. After that he would say, "Go forth to war in the name of God in His road: fight with those who disbelieve in God. Go forth to war. Do not use deceit or break a covenant, or mutilate, or kill children. And when thou meetest thine enemy of the polytheists, then invite them to three things: the rights and privileges of Islám or defeat. Then whichever of the three they give an affirmative answer to, accept it from them and withdraw from them. After that invite them to Islám; and if they give an affirmative answer to thee, then accept it from them and withdraw from them. After that invite them to remove themselves from their homes to the homes of the refugees, and inform them that if they do that, then for them is what is given to the refugees; and their duties are the same as those of the refugees. But if they refuse to change from their homes, then inform them that they will remain as the desert Arabs who have embraced Islám. The commands of God will be obligatory upon them which are obligatory upon other believers; but they will get nothing of the plunder and spoils unless they go to fight along with the other Muslims. But if they refuse (to become Muslims) then ask from them the poll-tax. And if they answer thee in the affirmative, then accept it from them, and withdraw from them. But if they refuse (to pay), then seek help from God and fight them. And when thou besiege the people of a fortress, and they express ​a desire to thee that thou give them a pledge of security from God and His Prophet; then do not give them a pledge of security from God and His Prophet, but give them thine own pledge and the pledge of thy companions; for if ye violate your pledge and the pledge of your companions, it will be easier than if ye violate the pledge of God and the pledge of His Apostle. And if thou besiege the people in a fortress, and they express to thee a desire that thou bring them down on the condition that they agree to the orders of God; then do not bring them down on the orders of God, but bring them down on (the condition that they agree to) thy orders; for verily thou dost not know whether thou wilt receive the orders of God regarding them or not."'—Muslim.
It is related from Anas that, 'When the Prophet went with us to fight any people, he would not fight with us until the dawn broke. And he would look towards them, and if he heard the call to prayer he would withdraw from them, but if he did not hear the call to prayer, he would attack them.' Anas said, 'And we went out to Khaibár, and we reached them at night. Then when it dawned, and he did not hear the call to prayer, he mounted, and I mounted behind Abú Ṭalḥa, and verily my feet touched the feet of the Prophet of God. And they came out towards us with their bags (for dates) and their instruments for irrigation. And when they saw the Prophet they said, "Muḥammad, by God! Muḥammad and the army!" And they took refuge in the fortress. And when the Apostle of God saw them he said, "God is great! God is great! Khaibár is ruined! Verily when we come down on the land of any tribe, then bad is the morning of those who have been warned."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Wáiʾl that he said, 'Khálid binuʾl-Walíd wrote to the people of Persia: "In the name of God the Merciful, the Compassionate, Khálid binuʾl-Walíd to Rustam and Mihrán the chiefs of Persia. Peace be to him who follows the guidance. After that we invite you to Islám; and if ye refuse, then give the poll-tax out of hand so that ye be rendered contemptible. But if ye refuse, then with me is a people who love death in the way of God, even as the Persians love wine. Then peace be on him who follows the guidance."'—Sharḥu's-Sunnah.
On Fighting in Religious War
It is related from Anas that he said, 'The Apostle of God used to go to war taking with him Umm Sulaim and some women of the helpers. When he fought they would give water to drink and administer medicine to the wounded.'—Muslim.
It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin ʿOmar that he said, 'The Apostle of God forbade the killing of women and children.'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Ibn ʿOmar that, 'The Apostle of God cut down the date-trees of the Baniuʾn-Naḍír and burnt them. And in regard to this Ḥuṣain said, "And the burning in Al Buwairah was easy for the leaders of the Bani Luwai." And in regard to it the revelation came down, "What palm-trees ye cut down, or left standing on their roots, was by the permission of God."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin Awn that Náfiʿ wrote to him and informed him that Ibn ʿOmar informed him that, 'The Prophet made a raid on the Baniuʾl-Muṣṭaliq in Muraisi when they were off their guard. And he killed those able to fight, and took into captivity those who were dependant upon them.'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Al Muhallab that, 'The Apostle of God said, "If the enemy make a night attack upon you, then let your watchward be 'By (the symbol) H.M., they'll win !'"'—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from ʿUrwah that he said, 'ʿUsámah related to me that the Apostle of God gave him a charge and said, "Attack Ubna at dawn, and burn it down."'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from Thawbán bin Yazíd that, 'The Prophet fixed up a catapult against the people of Táif'—At Tirmidhí.
On Orders Regarding Prisoners
It is related from Salamah binuʾl-Akwaʿ that he said, 'A spy of the polytheists came to the Prophet when he was on a journey, and sat down near his companions and engaged in conversation. Afterwards he departed; and the Prophet said, "Search him out and kill him." And I killed him, and the ​Prophet made me a present of the man's things.'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Saʿíduʾl-Khudri that he said, 'When the Bani Qnraizah came down (from their fortress), agreeing to abide by the orders of Saʿd bin Muʿádh, the Apostle of God sent to the latter, and he came on an ass. And when he drew near, the Apostle of God said, "Stand up to your master." And he came and sat down. And the Apostle of God said, "Verily these have come down (in capitulation) stipulating to abide by thy orders." He replied, "Verily, I give orders that those able to fight be killed, and their dependants taken into captivity." The Prophet said, "Thou hast certainly ordered concerning them in conformity with the orders of the angel (Gabriel)." And in another tradition it runs, "In conformity, with the orders of God."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Qatádah that he said, 'Anas mentioned to us from Abú Ṭalḥa that the Prophet gave orders on the day (of the battle) of Bedr concerning twenty-four who were leaders of the Quraish, and they were thrown into one of the wells of Bedr which was corrupted and corrupting. And when he conquered any tribe, he used to remain in the place conquered for three nights; so when the third day arrived at Bedr he gave orders for his camel to be brought, and its saddle was placed on it. After that he went off, and his companions followed him, until he stood on the brink of the well. And he began to call (the dead men) by their names and the names of their fathers; "O such-and-such a one, son of so-and-so, has it pleased you that ye obeyed God and His messenger? Verily we have received in truth what our Lord promised us. Have ye received in truth what your Lord promised you?" Then ʿOmar said, "O Apostle of God, what art thou saying to bodies which have no souls!" The Prophet replied, "By Him in whose hand is the life of Muḥammad! Ye do not hear what I say better than they do." And in another tradition it runs, "Ye do not hear better than they do; but they do not answer."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from ʿAyesha that she said, 'When the people of Mecca sent ransoms for those of their number taken prisoners (at Bedr), Zainab sent in ransom for Abdúʾl-ʿÁṣ some money ​and she sent with it a necklace of hers which had belonged to Khadíjah, which she put in with the money for Abúʾl-ʿÁṣ. Then when the Apostle of God saw it, he was touched with a great compassion for her, and said (to his companions), "If ye think it right to release her captive for her, and return to her her ransom (it will be better)." They replied, "Yes." And the Prophet took a promise from Abúʾl-ʿÁṣ that he would leave a way open for Zainab to come to him. And the Apostle of God sent Zaid bin Ḥárith and a man of the Helpers and said, "Remain in Baṭu Yajij until Zainab comes to you; and then accompany her until ye bring her here."'—Aḥmad, Abú Dáud.
It is related from Ibn Maʿsúd that, 'When the Apostle of God wished to kill ʿUqbah bin Abi Muʿaiṭ (after the battle of Bedr), the latter said, "Who will (care for my) children?" He replied, "The fire."—Abú Dáud.
It is related from ʿAlí from the Apostle of God that, "Gabriel came down to him and said to him, "Give them (the companions of the Prophet) a choice regarding the captives of Bedr: either death, or ransom on this condition, that in the following year a number of you equal in number to those (ye release on ransom) will be killed." They said, "We choose the ransom, and that certain of us be slain."'—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from ʿAlí that he said, 'Some slaves went out (from Mecca) to the Apostle of God on the day of Ḥudaibah, before the treaty was made. Then their masters wrote to him and said, "O Muḥammad, by God! they did not go out to thee out of a desire for thy religion, but they only went out in order to flee from slavery." And the people said, "These speak truly, O Apostle of God, send the slaves back to them." Then the Apostle of God became angry and said, "O people of the Quraish, I do not see for you (any hope) that you will abstain from meddling until God sends someone to you to cut off your heads." And he refused to send them back, and said, "They are the freedmen of God."'—Abú Dáud.
Concerning giving Protection
It is related from ʿAmru that he said, 'I heard the Apostle of God say, "He who assures a man of safety from death, and afterwards kills him, will be given a standard of perfidy on the day of resurrection."'—Sharḥu's-Sunnah.
​It is related from Abú Ráfiʿ that he said, 'The Quraish sent me to the Apostle of God; and when I saw him (the desire for) Islám was kindled in my heart and I said, "O Apostle of God, by God! I will not return to them at all." He replied, "Verily, I do not break a promise or detain ambassa-dors. Return, and if there still remain in thy heart (the desire) which is now there, then come back." He said, "So I went, and afterwards came to the Prophet and embraced Islám."'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from Nuʿaim bin Maʿsúd that, 'The Apostle of God said to two men who had come from Musailamah, "Beware! by God! were it not that ambassadors are not killed, I would have struck off your heads."'—Aḥmad, Abú Dáud.
Concerning the Division of Plunder, and Purloining therefrom
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Plunder was not lawful for anyone before us. That (has been made so for us), because God saw our weakness and helplessness, and so He made it lawful for us."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Yezid bin Hurmuz that he said, 'Jandahuʾl-Ḥaruriyah wrote to Ibn ʿAbbás to ask him concerning the slave and the woman who are present at the place where booty is obtained: whether the booty should be shared with them. He said to Yazid, "Write to him that they should not receive any fixed share; but a little may be given to them."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that a man presented the Apostle of God with a slave called Midʿam. And whilst he was unsaddling the Prophet's beast, behold a stray arrow struck him and killed him. Then the people said, "May it be well with him in paradise!" But the Apostle of God said, "Never! by Him in whose hands is my life! verily the cloak which he took from the plunder on the day of (the conquest of) Khaibár, when ye had not yet divided it, will light a fire upon him." When the people heard that, a man brought one or two thongs to the Prophet and said, "This is a thong or two from the fire."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
​It is related from Abú Umamah, from the Prophet, that he said, "Verily God has given me pre-eminence over the Prophets." Or he said, "He has given my people pre-eminence over other people, and has made plunder lawful for us."'—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from Anas that, 'The Apostle of God said on that day, namely the day of (the battle of) Ḥunain, "Whoever kills an infidel will get his goods." And Abú Ṭalḥah that day killed twenty men and took their effects."'—At Tirmidhí
It is related from Mujammiʿ bin Járiyah that he said, 'The spoils of Khaibár were divided amongst the people who were present at Ḥudaibah. And the Apostle of God divided it into eighteen portions. And the army consisted of fifteen hundred men, of whom three hundred were cavalry. Then he gave each horseman two shares and each footman one share.'—Abú Dáud. And he said, 'The tradition of Ibn ʿOmar is more correct and he action taken on it, and an error has crept into the tradition of Mujammiʿ in that he said, "Three hundred cavalry," when there were only two hundred cavalry.'
It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin ʿAmru that he said, 'When the Apostle of God obtained plunder he used to call Bilál, and he used to call the people; and they used to bring their plunder. Then the Prophet used to take his fifth and divide the remainder. And there came a man on a certain day after that bringing a halter made of hair. And the man said, "O Apostle of God, this is a part of that which we took in plunder." He replied, "Didst thou hear Bilál call three times?" He said, "Yes." He said, "Then what prevented thee from bringing it then?" Then the man made some excuse for himself. The Prophet said, "Let be now; for thou wilt bring it on the day of resurrection; for I will never accept it from thee,"—Abú Dáud.
It is related from ʿAbduʾr-Raḥmán bin ʿAwf that he said, 'Verily I was standing in the ranks on the day of (the battle of) Bedr; and I looked on my right hand and on my left, and behold! I was between two youths of the Helpers who were young in years. And I wished to stand between men stronger than they. Then one of them signed to me and said, "O my uncle, dost thou know Abú Jahl?" I replied, "Yes, what dost ​thou want with him, O son of my brother?" He replied, "I have been told that he abused the Apostle of God, therefore, by Him in whose hands is my life! if I see him my person shall not separate from his until the quickest of us die." Abduʾr-Raḥmán said, "Then I was astonished at that." He said, "Then the other youth made a sign to me in similar terms. And I did not delay to look for Abú Jahl moving round amongst the men. Then I said, 'Do ye not see him. This is your friend whom ye asked me about.' Then they two ran towards him with their swords and smote him until they killed him. After that they went to the Apostle of God and informed him. He said, 'Which of you killed him?' Each one of them replied, 'I killed him.' He said, 'Have you wiped your swords?' They replied, 'No.' Then the Apostle of God looked at the two swords and said, 'You both killed him.' Then the Apostle of God gave orders that the plunder obtained from Abú Jahl should be given to Muʿádh bin ʿAmru binuʾl-Jamuḥ. And the two men were Muʿádh bin ʿAmru binuʾl-Jamuḥ and Muʿádh bin ʿAfrá.'"'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Anas that on the day of Badr, 'The Apostle of God said, "Who will see for us what Abú Jahl has done?" Then Ibn Maʿsúd departed and found that the two sons of ʿAfráʾ had smitten him and he had become cold (with the approach of death). Anas said, "Then Ibn Maʿsúd seized his beard and said, 'Thou art Abú Jahl?' He replied, 'Dost thou do this over (the death agony of) a man ye have stabbed to death!'"' And in another tradition it runs, 'He said, "Would that some other than a cultivator had killed me!"'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Prophet said, "One of the Prophets went out to fight; and he said to his people, 'Let no man follow me who has married a wife and wishes to take her to his house, but has not yet done so; nor the one who has built a house, but has not yet raised a roof over it; nor yet the man who has bought a sheep or a camel and is expecting its giving birth to young.' Then he went forth to war. And he drew near to a certain village at the time of evening prayer or about that. Then he said to the sun, 'Verily thou art under orders, and I am also under orders. O ​God, restrain it for us.' Then it was restrained (from setting) until God gave him the victory. After that he gathered together the plunder; and a fire came to devour it, but it did not consume it. And he said, 'Verily there is deceit amongst you with regard to the plunder; therefore let a man from each tribe pledge his oath.' Then the hand of a certain man stuck to his hand. He said, 'The deceit concerning the plunder is amongst you.' Then they brought a golden head like the head of a cow. Then he set it down and the fire came and devoured it."' And the relater has added in another tradition, 'And plunder was not lawful for any one before us. Afterwards God made plunder lawful for us. He saw our weakness and impotence and made it lawful for us.'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
Concerning the Poll-Tax
It is related from Jabálah that he said, 'I was the secretary of Jazaʾbin Muʿwiyah the uncle of Aḥnaf, and there came to us a letter from ʿOmar binuʾl-Khaṭṭáb a year before his death, (saying) "Separate every person who is forbidden in marriage from amongst the fire-worshippers." And ʿOmar did not take the poll-tax from the fire-worshippers until ʿAbduʾr-Raḥmán bin ʿAwf bore witness that the Apostle of God took it from the fire-worshippers of Hajar.'—Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Muʿádh that when the Apostle of God sent him towards Yeman, he ordered him to take one dinar, or the cloth of Yeman ordered, called maʿáfiri to the value of one dinar from every adult, that is from everyone who had reached puberty.'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from Anas that he said, 'The Apostle of God sent Khálid binuʾl-Walíd to Ukaider (the Christian king) of Dúmah; and they seized him and brought him. Then the Prophet spared his life and made peace with him on condition that he paid the poll-tax.'—Abú Dáud.
Concerning Peace
It is related from Al Miswár bin Makhramah and Marwán binuʾl-Ḥakam that they said, 'The Prophet went out in the year of Ḥudaibah with a band of a thousand of his companions. And when he came to Dhuʾl-Ḥulaifah he garlanded the camel for sacrifice and branded it in token thereof. He there put on ​the iḥrám (the pilgrim garment) for the lesser pilgrimage and went on until when he came to Al Thaniyah, from where they fall upon the people of Mecca, his camel knelt down. And the people said, "Hal! hal! Al Qaṣwa has refused to go on! Al Qaṣwa has refused to go on!" Then the Prophet said, "Al Qaṣwa has not refused to go on; nor is that natural to her; but he who restrained the elephant has restrained her." Then he said, "By Him in whose hand is my life! they shall not supplicate me on any matter in which the honour of the sacred territories of God is concerned, but I will grant it." After that he forbade 'Al Qaṣwa to remain sitting and she rose up. And he turned aside with them until he descended at the extreme limit of Ḥudaibah, at a place where there was a little water, from which the people were drawing sparingly. And the people did not delay until they had drawn the water and complained to the Apostle of God of thirst. Then he took out an arrow from his quiver, and ordered them to place it in the water; and by God! it continued to, flow over for them in abundance until they departed from it. And whilst they were in such circumstances, behold! Budail bin Warqáʾuʾl-Khuzaʿi came in a party of the Khuzáʿh. After that came ʿUrwah bin Maʿsúd.' And he related the tradition until he said, 'When Suhail bin ʿAmru came, the Prophet said, "Write, This is what Muḥammad, the Apostle of God, agrees upon." Then Suhail said, "By God! if we knew that thou wert the Apostle of God, we would not have repelled thee from the House (of God), nor have fought with thee; but write, Muḥammad the son of ʿAbduʾlláh." Then the Prophet said, "By God! I am indeed the Apostle of God, although ye make me a liar. Write, Muḥammad the son of ʿAbduʾlláh." Then Suhail said, "And on these conditions (write the treaty of peace), that no man, even though he follow thee, shall come to thee from us, but thou shalt send him back to us." And when he had finished writing the treaty, the Apostle of God said to his companions, "Rise and slay the animals for sacrifice, and then shave your heads." After that some women came (confessing themselves) believers. Then God Most High sent down the revelation, "O ye who believe, when there come to you women who believe as refugees (try them. God well knoweth their faith. And if ye know them ​to be true believers, send them not back to the infidels)." And God Most High forbade them to send them back; and He commanded them to send back their dowries. After that the Prophet returned to Madína. And Abú Baṣír, a man of the Quraish, came to him. And he was a Muslim. And they sent two men in search of him; and Muhammad handed him over to the two men, and they went out with him, until, when they arrived at Dhuʾl-Hulaifah, they alighted in order to eat dates which they had. Then Abú Baṣír said to one of the two men, "By God! O so-and-so, verily I perceive that this sword of thine is a good one. Show it me that I may examine it." Then he allowed him. Then Abú Baṣír smote him till he became cold. And the other man fled until he arrived at Madína and entered running into the mosque. Then the Prophet said, "This man has certainly been terrified." The man said, "By God! my companion has been killed, and verily I am in danger of being killed also." Then Abú Baṣír came, and the Prophet said, "Alas his mother! he is a kindler of war if he had any one (to help him)." And when Abú Baṣír heard that, he knew that he would hand him back to them, and he went out until he came to the sea-shore. And Abú Jandal bin Suhail escaped and joined himself to Abú Baṣír. And it came to pass that no man who had embraced Islám went out from the Quraish without joining himself to Abú Baṣír, until there was gathered together from them a troop of men. And by God! they never heard of a caravan of the Quraish going out to Syria without attacking it and killing them and taking their goods. Then the Quraish sent to the Prophet and adjured him by God and their family ties to remonstrate with Abú Baṣír, and his companions. And whoever came to him was safe. Then he sent to them.'—Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Al Barái bin ʿÁzib that he said, 'The Prophet made peace with the polytheists on the day of Ḥudaibah with three stipulations: that whoever came to him from the polytheists, he would send him back to them; but whoever came to them from the Muslims, they would not send him back; and that he (Muḥammad) should enter Mecca the following year and remain in it three days. And he (agreed) ​that he would not enter it except with their arms, such as swords and bows and such like, in their sheaths. Then Abú Jandal came to him shackled with fetters on his legs, but he sent him back to them.'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from ʿÁyesha that she said with regard to the oath of fealty taken by women, that, 'The Apostle of God used to test them by this verse of the Quʾrán, "O Prophet, if there come to thee believing women to take the oath of obedience to thee (that they will not associate anything with God, nor steal, nor commit fornication, nor kill their children, nor come with a calumny which they have forged between their hands and their feet, nor be disobedient to thee)." Then whoever of them agreed to these conditions, he said to her, "I have received thine oath of fealty," by the words which he spoke to her. By God! his hand never touched the hand of a woman in the action of accepting her oath of fealty.'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Al Miswár and Marwán that, 'The Meccans agreed upon the cessation of war for ten years, and that the people should be secure during that period, on the condition that all cause of reproach should be abstained from, and that there should be no attacks by bandits and no treachery.'—Abú Dáud.
Concerning the Exclusion of the Jews from Arabia
It is related from Abú Hurairah that he said, 'Whilst we were in the mosque, the Prophet came out and said, "Go to the Jews." So we went with him until we came to their schoolhouse. Then the Prophet rose up and said, "O People of the Jews, embrace Islám, that ye may be secure. And know ye that the earth belongeth to God and His Apostle. And verily I wish to expel you from this land, therefore whoever of you has any of his property (unsold), let him sell it."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Ibn ʿOmar that he said, 'ʿOmar stood up and gave the public address and said, "Verily the Apostle of God employed the Jews of Khaibár over their property, and said, 'We will allow you to remain so long as God allows you to remain.'" But ʿOmar deemed it expedient to expel them. Then ​when ʿOmar had resolved on that, one of the Bani abuʾl-Ḥuqaiq came to him and said, "O Commander of the Faithful, dost thou turn us out, when Muḥammad allowed us to stay and appointed us over the property?" Then ʿOmar replied, "Dost thou imagine that I have forgotten the words of the Apostle of God, 'How will it be with thee when thou art turned out of Khaibár, and thy young she-camels run after thee night after night!'" The Jew replied, "This was a jest of the father of Abuʾl Qasim." He replied, "Thou liest, O enemy of God!" Then ʿOmar banished them; and he gave them the price of what they possessed of fruits in money and camels and fittings of pack-saddles and ropes and other things.'—Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Ibn ʿAbbás that, The Apostle of God commanded three things. He said, "Turn the polytheists out of the Island of Arabia; behave towards ambassadors as I was wont to behave towards them." Ibn ʿAbbás said, "And he remained silent regarding the third." Or, he said, "I have forgotten it."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Jábir bin ʿAbduʾlláh that he said, 'ʿOmar binuʾl-Khaṭṭáb informed me that he heard the Apostle of God say, "I will certainly turn the Jews and Christians out of the Island of Arabia, until I do not leave in it any but Muslims."'—Muslim. And in another tradition it runs, 'If I live, and God will, I will certainly turn the Jews and Christians out of the Island of Arabia.'
Concerning Spoil taken from Infidels without Fighting
It is related from Málik bin Aws binuʾl-Ḥadatháni that 'ʿOmar binuʾl Khaṭṭáb said, "Verily God has distinguished His Apostle in this spoil taken from infidels by something which He has not given to any besides him." Then he recited the words, "And as to their spoils which God hath granted to His Apostle (ye did not push forward any horses or camels against the same; but God giveth to His Apostles dominion over whom He pleaseth, for God is almighty.)" And this was free to the Apostle of God. He used to spend from this money on his family for their subsistence for one year. Afterwards he used to take what remained and" place it in the place where the property belonging to God was kept.'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
* ↑ Qúrʾan, Súratuʾl-Ḥashr (lix) 5.
* ↑ Qurʾán, Súratuʾl-Mumtaḥína (lx) 10.