Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has narrated this hadith in a very concise manner, whereas previously it has been mentioned in detail that when the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was going to Hudaybiyyah, he was informed that at the place of Ghaiqah the enemy was preparing to attack. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam sent a few of the noble Companions radi Allahu anhum in that direction, among whom was Abu Qatadah radi Allahu anhu. He had not yet donned the ihram. On the way, he hunted a wild donkey (onager), and a portion of it was presented to the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, who accepted it and ordered that it be shown to the other Companions who were in the state of ihram as well.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Jaza’ al-Sayd, Hadith: 1822)

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: After the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam set out towards Makkah al-Mukarramah, the people of Madinah learned that the enemy was lying in wait for him. Therefore, Abu Qatadah radi Allahu anhu was sent after the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam so that he could inform him that the enemy intended to attack him. He met the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam before the place of Rawha. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam then sent him, along with a group, towards the seashore to gather information about the enemy. Since Abu Qatadah radi Allahu anhu had not set out with the intention of performing ‘umrah, he was in a state of non-ihram (not in the state of ihram), while the rest of his companions were in ihram. He rejoined the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam at the place of Qahah.

From there, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam sent him to collect charity (sadaqah), and then he returned and joined some of the Prophet’s sallallahu alayhi wa sallam companions who had stayed behind, and this incident of hunting occurred. In relation to the hunt, the companions did not assist him in any way; therefore, he hunted for himself. Afterwards, he invited his companions to eat. Some accepted, and some refused, because they thought that since it is not permissible for a person in ihram (muhrim) to hunt, perhaps it would also not be permissible to eat it.

Later, this matter was presented before the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, and he granted permission to eat it. For their satisfaction and reassurance, he said, “If any of it remains, then present it to us as well,” as will be mentioned ahead, and then the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam also partook of it.