Tirmidhi

Hadith Footnote:
It is true:
The light is from Allah; it laughs at the movement of disbelief.
This lamp cannot be extinguished by mere blowing.

Hadith Commentary:
Allah Ta’ala honored the supplications of His Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and the Muslims with acceptance. Thus, after discord spread among the ranks of the polytheists and despondency permeated them, Allah Ta’ala sent upon them a fierce stormy wind which uprooted their tents, overturned their cooking pots, and along with this, He sent an army of angels who shook them and cast terror and fear into their hearts. In this way, Allah Ta’ala fulfilled His promise, granted honor to His army, aided His servant, and He alone defeated the armies. Consequently, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) returned safely and in well-being to Madinah Tayyibah.

The day the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) returned from the Trench was a Wednesday, and only seven days remained until the end of Dhu al-Qa’dah, while the siege had begun in the month of Shawwal.

The statement of Allah Ta’ala is:
“And Allah turned back the disbelievers in their rage, not having obtained any good. And Allah sufficed the believers in fighting. And Allah is ever All-Strong, All-Mighty.” ( al-Ahzab: 25/33)

Hadith Commentary:
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) uttered the words “Sadaq Allahu wa’dahu...” (Allah has spoken the truth in His promise, etc.) on the occasion of the Battle of Khandaq. And also upon returning from the Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wada‘), when Islam had achieved complete victory. Even now, in order to revive the memory of those pure days, these blessed words can be recited on such auspicious occasions.

The blessed phrase “in sha’ Allah” pertains to the future, not the past. That is why, on this occasion which was related to the past, Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (radi Allahu anhu) did not say “in sha’ Allah.”

Hadith Commentary:
➊
The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) uttered these words on the occasion of the Battle of the Trench (Ghazwah Khandaq).
Upon returning from the Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wada‘), he repeated these words because Allah, the Exalted, had granted dominance to Islam;
and as an expression of gratitude, he said these words.
We too may recite them on such blessed occasions.

➋
Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah)’s intent in citing this hadith is that when a person ascends to a height, he should say “Allahu Akbar” so that the greatness and majesty of Allah, the Exalted, is expressed.
While ascending to a height, one should not think that we ourselves are becoming elevated; only the Divine Being of Majesty is worthy of elevation.
We are but His humble servants.

Chapter of Sahih Bukhari Hadith Number: 6385: «بَابُ الدُّعَاءِ إِذَا أَرَادَ سَفَرًا أَوْ رَجَعَ:»
Relevance between the Chapter and the Hadith:
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah established the chapter heading regarding the supplication when setting out on a journey and upon returning, whereas in the hadith under the chapter, only the return is mentioned and the supplication is also narrated only at the time of return. Therefore, the chapter heading does not fully correspond to the hadith. Thus, while reconciling the chapter and the hadith, Abdul Haq al-Hashimi rahimahullah states:
“In the hadith of Sayyiduna Ibn Umar radi Allahu anhuma, the supplication for setting out on a journey is not mentioned, but Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has alluded to those chains of this narration in which the supplication at the time of departure is mentioned.”
«كان إذا استوى على بعيره خارجًا إلى سفر، كبر ثلاثًا ثم قال: . . . . ..» (1)
“That is, Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has indicated towards other chains of this hadith in which the supplication at the time of setting out is also mentioned, that one should say Allahu Akbar three times . . . . .”
Allamah Qastallani rahimahullah writes:
«ولم يذكر المؤلف الدعا إذا أراد سفرًا و لعله يشير إلى نحو ما وقع عند مسلم فى رواية على بن عبدالله الأزدي عن ابن عمر أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم كان إذا استوى على بعيره خارجًا إلى سفر كبر ثلاثًا ثم قال: ”سُبْحَانَ الَّذِيْ سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا . . . . .“ الحديث.» (2)
Imam Qastallani rahimahullah has also stated the same, that Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has alluded to that narration in which the supplication at the time of setting out for a journey is mentioned, which Imam Muslim has extracted in his Sahih through the route of Ali ibn Abdullah al-Azdi from Ibn Umar radi Allahu anhuma, that when the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would mount his riding animal to set out on a journey, he would say: «سُبْحَانَ الَّذِيْ سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا . . . . .»
Therefore, the relevance between the chapter and the hadith is from this aspect, that Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has alluded to that narration in which the supplication for a journey is also mentioned at the time of setting out.

Hadith Commentary:
Raising the slogan of takbir (Allahu Akbar) while ascending to a height, remembering Allah’s loftiness and greatness, is a mark of true faith.
Those who hold such beliefs and perform such actions, Allah grants them elevation in this world as well. The verse, “Allah has decreed: ‘Verily, I and My messengers shall prevail’” (, al-Mujadilah), alludes to this.
The reference to defeating the army points to the Battle of Ahzab, where the disbelievers had gathered in great numbers, but in the end, they were disappointed and suffered loss.

Hadith Commentary:
In this hadith, the supplication for returning from a journey is mentioned. However, Imam Bukhari rahimahullah, in the title he established, has alluded to that narration in which the supplication for the beginning of a journey is found. Thus, it is narrated from Ibn Umar radi Allahu anhu that when the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would sit on his mount to set out on a journey, he would recite this supplication:
(Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar...) «سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي سَخَّرَ لَنَا هَذَا، وَمَا كُنَّا لَهُ مُقْرِنِينَ، وَإِنَّا إِلَى رَبِّنَا لَمُنْقَلِبُونَ، اللهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ فِي سَفَرِنَا هَذَا الْبِرَّ وَالتَّقْوَى، وَمِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تَرْضَى، اللهُمَّ هَوِّنْ عَلَيْنَا سَفَرَنَا هَذَا، وَاطْوِ عَنَّا بُعْدَهُ، اللهُمَّ أَنْتَ الصَّاحِبُ فِي السَّفَرِ، وَالْخَلِيفَةُ فِي الْأَهْلِ، اللهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ وَعْثَاءِ السَّفَرِ، وَكَآبَةِ الْمَنْظَرِ، وَسُوءِ الْمُنْقَلَبِ فِي الْمَالِ وَالْأَهْلِ» (Sahih Muslim, Al-Hajj, Hadith: 3275 (1342))

"Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.
Glory be to the One Who has subjected this (mount) to us, for we could not have subdued it (by ourselves).
And surely, to our Lord we shall return.
O Allah! We ask You for righteousness and piety in this journey of ours, and for deeds that are pleasing to You.
O Allah! Make this journey easy for us and shorten its distance for us.
O Allah! You are the Companion in the journey and the Guardian over our family and wealth in our absence.
O Allah! I seek refuge in You from the hardship of travel, from having a distressing sight, and from returning to any evil or harm in my family or possessions."

Every part of this supplication contains profound meaning.
And Allah is the One whose help is sought.

Hadith Commentary:
The meaning of "a'iboon" is: that is, we are returning to Allah, meaning we are those who turn towards Allah.

Hadith Commentary:
This narration has appeared multiple times previously.
It was mentioned earlier that when the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would ascend to a higher place, he would say "Allahu Akbar."
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Jihad, Hadith: 2993)
In one narration, it is stated that when the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would return from Hajj, Umrah, or any military expedition, he would recite the aforementioned supplication.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, al-‘Umrah, Hadith: 1797)
Imam al-Bukhari (rahimahullah) has established that when the mujahideen return from jihad, they should recite the aforementioned supplication.
In this, complete submission before Allah is expressed.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
This supplication is not exclusive to journeys of jihad or Hajj and ‘Umrah; rather, it may be recited upon return from any journey undertaken for the obedience of Allah. Thus, Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah, in the Book of Supplications, has established a chapter for this hadith with the following words:
(Bab al-du‘a idha arada safaran aw raja‘)
“Chapter: What to recite when intending a journey or returning from it.”
Since the rulings and issues of Hajj and ‘Umrah are being discussed here, Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah has mentioned this hadith in this context.
(Fath al-Bari 3/781)
(2)
From this hadith, it is understood that when someone returns from Hajj, ‘Umrah, or a military expedition (ghazwah), he should praise and glorify Allah, acknowledge His blessings, and display humility and submission before Him, for Allah Ta‘ala granted him the ability to perform the rites of Hajj and ‘Umrah, and then returned him safely to his home.

Hadith Gloss:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
(1)
Qafala:
To return.
(2)
Juyush:
Plural of "jaish,"
a large army.
(3)
Saraya:
Plural of "sariyya,"
a small army,
Awfa:
Ascending,
rising.
(4)
Thaniyya:
Hill,
mound.
(5)
Fadfad:
A high and hard piece of land.

Benefits and Issues:
The Sunnah is that while ascending to a height, one should say the takbir (Allahu Akbar), and while descending to a lower place, one should say the tasbih (Subhan Allah).

Hadith Authentication: [وأخرجه البخاري 1797، ومسلم 428/1344، من حديث مالك به]
Jurisprudential Points
➊ Saying takbir (Allahu Akbar) while ascending to a high place and saying subhan Allah while descending is Sunnah.
➋ One should always keep one's tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah.
➌ Allah Ta'ala is dominant over all, therefore, help should be sought only from Him.
➍ The religion of Islam is a complete religion; it provides us with comprehensive guidance for every kind of rise and fall in life.
➎ Upon witnessing the wonders of nature, one should proclaim the greatness (takbir) and glorification (tasbih) of Allah.