Mawla of the Messenger, Sayyiduna Thawban (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Allah Almighty has protected two groups of my Ummah from Hellfire: one group that will attack India, and the other group that will be with ‘Isa ibn Maryam (peace be upon him).
Hadith Referenceالفتح الربانی / كتاب الفضائل / 12475
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:صحیح
Hadith Takhrij«حديث حسن، اخرجه النسائي: 6/ 42 ، (انظر مسند أحمد ترقيم الرسالة: 22396 ترقیم بيت الأفكار الدولية: 22759»
Brief Explanation
Benefits: … Maulana Ataullah Bhojiani said: In the time of Sayyiduna Amir Muawiyah radi Allahu anhu, in 44 AH, the Muslims launched an expedition against India. Then, in the fourth century Hijri, Mahmud of Ghazni waged jihad in the lands of India, killed the disbelievers, took captives, and entered Somnath, where he broke the great idol which they used to worship. After that, they returned in peace and safety. (Al-Ta‘liqat al-Salafiyyah ‘ala Sunan al-Nasa’i: 2/56)
After this, jihad in the lands of India continued in some forms, and it continues even now.