Source: Diya al-Islam fi Sharh al-Imam bi Ahadith al-Ahkam
Original Author: Shaykh Taqi al-Din Abi al-Fath
Translation by: Maulana Mahmood Ahmad Ghaznfar
✿ Hadith Reference
Narrated by: Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه)
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Al-ḥarb khu‘ah (War is deception).”
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 3028, 3029 | Sahih Muslim: 1740]
✿ Benefits and Lessons Derived
➊ Jihad is a communal obligation (فرض کفایہ):
It is defined as struggling in the path of Allah with sincerity, using both wealth and life to elevate the word of Allah and to combat the disbelievers.
➋ Tactical skill and cleverness in war are vital:
Demonstrating sharpness and agility in battle is a key component in achieving victory.
➌ Alertness and strategic thinking are essential:
Success in Jihad is closely tied to tactical intelligence and the ability to anticipate the enemy’s moves.
➍ Divine help is with those who actively strive:
Victory and Allah’s support come to those who put in action and effort, not just to those who rely on supplication alone.
Hadith Analysis Summary:This Hadith underscores that strategic deception is permissible in warfare, provided it does not breach ethical limits defined in Islam (such as treachery or breaking treaties).
