40 Authentic Hadiths on Jihad: Virtues, Rewards, and Warnings

40 Authentic Hadiths Regarding Jihad in the Path of Allah​

✍ Written by: Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi
PDF link of the original book included in the source (not shown here)

إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ نَحْمَدُهُ، وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ، مَن يَهْدِهِ اللَّهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ، وَمَن يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ، أَمَّا بَعْدُ:​

❖ Matters of Intention (Niyyah)​

قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى:


﴿وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ﴾
(Surah Al-Bayyina: 5)


Translation:
“And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion...”

Hadith ①​

عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ ﷺ:
«مَنْ غَزَا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَلَمْ يَنْوِ إِلَّا عِقَالًا، فَلَهُ مَا نَوَى»
Sahih Sunan al-Nasa’i, by al-Albani, Hadith No. 2941


Translation:
Sayyiduna ʿUbādah ibn al-Ṣāmit رضي الله عنه narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever fought in the path of Allah but intended only to obtain a rope to tie a camel, then he will receive only what he intended.”
(i.e., He will be deprived of reward and spiritual benefit.)

Hadith ②​

عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ الْبَاهِلِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ، فَقَالَ: أَرَأَيْتَ رَجُلًا غَزَا يَلْتَمِسُ الْأَجْرَ وَالذِّكْرَ، مَا لَهُ؟ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: لَا شَيْءَ لَهُ،
ثُمَّ قَالَ: إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَقْبَلُ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ إِلَّا مَا كَانَ لَهُ خَالِصًا، وَابْتُغِيَ بِهِ وَجْهُهُ
Sahih Sunan al-Nasa’i, by al-Albani, Hadith No. 2943


Translation:
Sayyiduna Abu Umāmah al-Bāhilī رضي الله عنه said:
A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and asked, “What about a person who fights seeking reward and fame?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied: “He will have nothing.”
He repeated this thrice, and each time said: “He will have nothing.” Then the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Indeed, Allah does not accept any deed unless it is purely for Him and done seeking His Face.”

❖ Correcting Belief and Iman Before Jihad​

Hadith ③​

عَنِ الْبَرَاءِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ﷺ رَجُلٌ مُقَنَّعٌ بِالْحَدِيدِ، فَقَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، أُقَاتِلُ أَمْ أُسْلِمُ؟
قَالَ: أَسْلِمْ ثُمَّ قَاتِلْ، فَأَسْلَمَ ثُمَّ قَاتَلَ فَقُتِلَ،
فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: «عَمِلَ قَلِيلًا وَأُجِرَ كَثِيرًا»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Jihad, Hadith No. 2808


Translation:
Sayyiduna al-Barāʾ رضي الله عنه narrated:
A man came to the Prophet ﷺ, covered in armor, and asked: “O Messenger of Allah! Should I fight first or accept Islam?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied: “Accept Islam, then fight.”
He accepted Islam, fought, and was martyred.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “He did little but was rewarded much.”

❖ Refusing Help in Jihad from Those with False Beliefs​

Hadith ④​

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ:
خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ قِبَلَ بَدْرٍ...
Sahih Muslim, Book of Jihad, Hadith No. 4700


[Summary & Translation]:
Umm al-Mu’minīn ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها narrated:
When the Prophet ﷺ set out for the Battle of Badr, a man known for his courage approached and asked to join. The Companions rejoiced at his coming.
The Prophet ﷺ asked: “Do you believe in Allah and His Messenger?”
He said: “No.”
The Prophet ﷺ replied: “Go back, for I do not seek help from a polytheist.”
This happened twice.
On the third occasion, the man affirmed his faith in Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ then said: “Then come along.”

❖ Jihad is Fard Kifayah (Collective Obligation)​

Hadith ⑤​

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَبِرَسُولِهِ، وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ، وَصَامَ رَمَضَانَ، كَانَ حَقًّا عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُدْخِلَهُ الْجَنَّةَ، جَاهَدَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَوْ جَلَسَ فِي أَرْضِهِ الَّتِي وُلِدَ فِيهَا...»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Jihad, Hadith No. 2790


Translation:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever believes in Allah and His Messenger, establishes prayer, and fasts during Ramadan, it is a promise upon Allah to admit him into Paradise – whether he engages in jihad in the path of Allah or stays in the land where he was born.”
Then he ﷺ said:
“In Paradise, there are 100 levels prepared for the mujahidīn (those who fight in the path of Allah). The distance between each level is like that between the heavens and the earth.
So when you ask Allah, ask Him for Al-Firdaws, for it is the highest and most central part of Paradise.”

Hadith ⑥​

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ...»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Iman, Hadith No. 8


Translation:
Sayyiduna ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Islam is built upon five pillars:
① Testifying that there is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger
② Establishing prayer
③ Giving zakat
④ Performing Hajj
⑤ Fasting in Ramadan.”

❖ Parental Permission is Required for Jihad​

Hadith ⑦​

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ:
جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَاسْتَأْذَنَهُ فِي الْجِهَادِ، فَقَالَ: أَحَيٌّ وَالِدَاكَ؟ قَالَ: نَعَمْ، قَالَ: فَفِيهِمَا فَجَاهِدْ
Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Jihad, Hadith No. 3004


Translation:
A man came to the Prophet ﷺ seeking permission to go for jihad.
The Prophet ﷺ asked: “Are your parents alive?”
He said: “Yes.”
The Prophet ﷺ replied: “Then strive in their service – that is your jihad.”

Hadith ⑧​

عَنْ جَاهِمَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
جِئْتُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَقُلْتُ: إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْغَزْوَ وَجِئْتُ أَسْتَشِيرُكَ،
فَقَالَ: «هَلْ لَكَ مِنْ أُمٍّ؟» قُلْتُ: نَعَمْ، قَالَ: «فَالْزَمْهَا، فَإِنَّ الْجَنَّةَ تَحْتَ رِجْلَيْهَا»
Sahih Sunan al-Nasa’i, by al-Albani, Hadith No. 2908


Translation:
Sayyiduna Jāhimah رضي الله عنه said:
I came to the Prophet ﷺ and said: “I want to participate in jihad, and I have come to consult you.”
He ﷺ asked: “Do you have a mother?”
I said: “Yes.”
He said: “Then remain with her, for Paradise lies beneath her feet.”

Hadith ⑨​

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ:
أَتَى رَجُلٌ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فَقَالَ: إِنِّي أُرِيدُ الْجِهَادَ مَعَكَ، وَإِنَّ وَالِدَيَّ يَبْكِيَانِ
فَقَالَ ﷺ: «فَارْجِعْ إِلَيْهِمَا، فَأَضْحِكْهُمَا كَمَا أَبْكَيْتَهُمَا»
Sahih Sunan Ibn Mājah, by al-Albani, Hadith No. 2242


Translation:
Sayyiduna ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAmr رضي الله عنهما narrated:
A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said:
“I want to join jihad with you, but my parents are crying because of my departure.”
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Then return to them and make them laugh as you made them cry.”

❖ No Jihad for the Ill or Those with Valid Excuses​

Hadith ⑩​

عَنْ أَنَسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
إِنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَالَ:
«إِنَّ أَقْوَامًا بِالْمَدِينَةِ خَلَفْنَا، مَا سَلَكْنَا شِعْبًا وَلَا وَادِيًا إِلَّا وَهُمْ مَعَنَا فِيهِ، حَبَسَهُمُ الْعُذْرُ»
Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Jihad, Hadith No. 2839


Translation:
Sayyiduna Anas رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said during the Battle of Tabuk:
“Indeed, there are people in Madinah who are with us in every valley and mountain path we cross. Though they remained behind, they share in the reward, for they were held back by a legitimate excuse.”

◈ Hadith ⑪​

عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ:
سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ يَقُولُ:
«لَا يَخْلُوَنَّ رَجُلٌ بِامْرَأَةٍ، وَلَا تُسَافِرَنَّ امْرَأَةٌ إِلَّا وَمَعَهَا مَحْرَمٌ...»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Jihād, Hadith No. 3006


Translation:
Sayyidunā ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās رضي الله عنهما said:
I heard the Prophet ﷺ say:
“Let no man be alone with a woman, and no woman should travel except with a maḥram.”
A man stood and said:
“O Messenger of Allah! I have been enrolled for such-and-such battle, but my wife has left for Hajj.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Go and perform Hajj with your wife.”

◈ Hadith ⑫​

عَنْ جَابِرٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
كُنَّا يَوْمَ الْحُدَيْبِيَةِ أَلْفًا وَأَرْبَعَ مِائَةٍ...
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Book of Leadership (al-Imārah), Hadith No. 4807


Translation:
Sayyidunā Jābir رضي الله عنه narrated:
On the day of Ḥudaybiyyah, we were 1,400 in number. We pledged allegiance to the Prophet ﷺ.
ʿUmar رضي الله عنه was holding the Prophet’s hand under the tree (a samurah tree).
We pledged allegiance on the condition that we would not flee from the battlefield —
but not upon death.

❖ Virtues of Jihād fī Sabīlillāh​

◈ Hadith ⑬​

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
سُئِلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
أَيُّ الْأَعْمَالِ أَفْضَلُ؟
Ṣaḥīḥ Sunan al-Tirmidhī, by al-Albānī, Hadith No. 1255


Translation:
Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه said:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was asked:
“Which deeds are the best?”
He ﷺ replied:
“Faith in Allah and His Messenger.”
It was asked: “Then what?”
He ﷺ replied: “Jihād – it is the peak of all deeds.”
It was asked: “Then what, O Messenger of Allah?”
He ﷺ replied:
“A righteous Hajj (Ḥajj mabrūr).”

◈ Hadith ⑭​

عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ الصَّامِتِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«جَاهِدُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ، فَإِنَّ الْجِهَادَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ بَابٌ مِنْ أَبْوَابِ الْجَنَّةِ، يُنَجِّي اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى بِهِ مِنَ الْهَمِّ وَالْغَمِّ»
Musnad Aḥmad, Badīʿ al-Tafāsīr, Hadith No. 83


Translation:
Sayyidunā ʿUbādah ibn al-Ṣāmit رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Strive in the path of Allah, for indeed Jihād is one of the gates of Paradise. Through it, Allah relieves sorrow and grief.”

◈ Hadith ⑮​

عَنْ فَضَالَةَ بْنِ عُبَيْدٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ:
«أَنَا زَعِيمٌ... لِمَنْ آمَنَ بِيَ وَآمَنَ وَهَاجَرَ وَجَاهَدَ...»
Ṣaḥīḥ Sunan al-Nasa’ī, by al-Albānī, Hadith No. 2936


Translation:
Sayyidunā Faḍālah ibn ʿUbayd رضي الله عنه said:
I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
“I guarantee a house on the outskirts of Paradise and in its center for the one who believes in me and migrates.
And I guarantee a house in the outskirts, in the center, and in the highest chambers of Paradise for the one who believes in me, migrates, and performs Jihād in Allah’s cause.
Whoever does so has not left any good untouched nor any evil unavoided, and he may die wherever he wishes – it will not diminish his reward.”**

◈ Hadith ⑯​

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالَ:
“دُلَّنِي عَلَى عَمَلٍ يُعْدِلُ الْجِهَادَ؟”
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Jihād, Hadith No. 2785


Translation:
Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated:
A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said:
“O Messenger of Allah! Tell me of a deed equal to Jihād.”
He ﷺ replied:
“You will not find any.”
Then he said:
“Can you, when the Mujāhid leaves for Jihād, enter your mosque, remain in prayer without rest, and fast continuously without breaking?”
The man said:
“Who can do that?”

◈ Hadith ⑰​

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ:
«مَنْ احْتَبَسَ فَرَسًا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إِيمَانًا بِاللَّهِ وَتَصْدِيقًا بِوَعْدِهِ... فَإِنَّ شِبَعَهُ وَرِيَّهُ وَرَوْثَهُ وَبَوْلَهُ فِي مِيزَانِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Jihād, Hadith No. 2853


Translation:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever keeps a horse for the sake of Allah with faith in Him and belief in His promise — then its feed, water, droppings, and urine will all be placed in his scale of good deeds on the Day of Judgment.”

◈ Hadith ⑱​

عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ بْنِ جَبْرٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«مَا وَاللَّهِ اغْبَرَّتْ قَدَمُ عَبْدٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَتَمَسُّهُ النَّارُ»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Jihād, Hadith No. 2811


Translation:
Sayyidunā ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Jabr رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“By Allah! A slave whose feet become dusty in the path of Allah – the Hellfire will never touch them.”

◈ Hadith ⑲​

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«لَا يَلِجُ النَّارَ رَجُلٌ بَكَى مِنْ خَشْيَةِ اللَّهِ، حَتَّى يَعُودَ اللَّبَنُ فِي الضَّرْعِ، وَلَا يَجْتَمِعُ غُبَارٌ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَدُخَانُ جَهَنَّمَ»
Ṣaḥīḥ Sunan al-Tirmidhī, by al-Albānī, Hadith No. 1333


Translation:
Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“A man who weeps out of fear of Allah will never enter Hell – unless milk returns to the udder (which is impossible).
And the dust in the path of Allah and the smoke of Hell can never coexist.”

◈ Hadith ⑳​

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ:
«مَوْقِفُ سَاعَةٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ قِيَامِ لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ عِنْدَ الْحَجَرِ الْأَسْوَدِ»
al-Arbaʿūn fī al-Ḥath ʿalā al-Jihād by Ibn ʿAsākir, Hadith No. 18


Translation:
Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه said:
I heard the Prophet ﷺ say:
“Standing for one hour in the path of Allah is better than spending Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree) in worship by the Black Stone (al-Ḥajar al-Aswad).”

❖ Fighting with One’s Life and Wealth in Allah’s Cause​

◈ Hadith ㉑​

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
أتى رجلٌ النَّبيَّ ﷺ فقال: أيُّ الناس أفضلُ؟ قال:
«رجلٌ يُجاهدُ في سبيلِ اللهِ بمالِه ونفسِه»
قال: ثمَّ من؟ قال:
«مؤمنٌ في شعبٍ من الشِّعابِ يعبدُ اللهَ، ويدعُ النَّاسَ من شرِّه»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Book of Leadership (al-Imārah), Hadith No. 4886


Translation:
Sayyidunā Abū Saʿīd al-Khudrī رضي الله عنه narrated:
A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and asked,
“Who is the best among people?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“The one who fights in the way of Allah with his wealth and his life.”
The man asked, “Then who?”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“A believer secluded in a mountain valley who worships his Lord and protects people from his harm.”

❖ The Mujāhid Equals the Devout Worshipper​

◈ Hadith ㉒​

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ:
«مَثَلُ الْمُجَاهِدِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ... كَمَثَلِ الصَّائِمِ الْقَائِمِ الْخَاشِعِ الرَّاكِعِ السَّاجِدِ»
Ṣaḥīḥ Sunan al-Nasā’ī, by al-Albānī, Hadith No. 2930


Translation:
Sayyidunā Abū Hurayrah رضي الله عنه narrated:
I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
“The example of one who fights in the path of Allah – and Allah knows best who truly fights in His cause – is like that of one who fasts, stands in prayer, is humble, bowing, and in prostration continuously.”

❖ The Mujāhid is a Guest of Allah​

◈ Hadith ㉓​

عَنْ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«الْغَازِي فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ، وَالْحَاجُّ، وَالْمُعْتَمِرُ وَفْدُ اللَّهِ، دَعَاهُمْ فَأَجَابُوهُ، وَسَأَلُوهُ فَأَعْطَاهُمْ»
Ṣaḥīḥ Sunan Ibn Mājah, by al-Albānī, Hadith No. 2339


Translation:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The one fighting in the path of Allah, the pilgrim (ḥājj), and the one performing ʿUmrah are the guests of Allah. He called them, and they responded. When they ask of Him, He gives to them.”

❖ Martyrdom for One Who Drowns at Sea​

◈ Hadith ㉔​

عَنْ أُمِّ حَرَامٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ:
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«الْمَائِدُ فِي الْبَحْرِ لَهُ أَجْرُ شَهِيدٍ، وَالْغَرِقُ لَهُ أَجْرُ شَهِيدَيْنِ»
Ṣaḥīḥ Sunan Abī Dāwūd, by al-Albānī, Hadith No. 2177


Translation:
Sayyidah Umm Ḥarām رضي الله عنها narrated:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The one who vomits at sea (during battle or ḥajj) gets the reward of a martyr, and the one who drowns gets the reward of two martyrs.”

❖ Reward for Aiding a Mujāhid​

◈ Hadith ㉕​

عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ خَالِدٍ الْجُهَنِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«مَنْ جَهَّزَ غَازِيًا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَقَدْ غَزَا، وَمَنْ خَلَفَهُ فِي أَهْلِهِ بِخَيْرٍ فَقَدْ غَزَا»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Book of Leadership (al-Imārah), Hadith No. 4903


Translation:
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever equips a warrior in the path of Allah, it is as if he himself has fought. And whoever takes care of his family in his absence has also participated in Jihād.”

❖ Reward for Guiding Someone to Help a Mujāhid​

◈ Hadith ㉖​

عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ الْأَنْصَارِيِّ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ﷺ فَقَالَ: إِنِّي أُبْدِعَ بِي فَاحْمِلْنِي...
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Book of Leadership (al-Imārah), Hadith No. 4899


Translation:
Sayyidunā Abū Masʿūd al-Anṣārī رضي الله عنه narrated:
A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said:
“My mount has failed me. Please provide me with a ride.”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“I do not have anything.”
Another man said: “O Messenger of Allah! I will direct him to someone who can help.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever guides to a good deed will have a reward like that of the one who performs it.”

❖ The Martyr Will Attain the Highest Rank in Paradise​

◈ Hadith ㉗​

عَنْ أَنَسٍ بْنِ مَالِكٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ:
أُمُّ حَارِثَةَ بِنْتُ الْبَرَاء سَأَلَتِ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ عَنْ حَارِثَةَ...
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Jihād, Hadith No. 2809


Translation:
Sayyidunā Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه narrated:
Umm Ḥārithah (mother of Ḥārithah ibn Suraqah) came to the Prophet ﷺ and said:
“O Prophet of Allah! Tell me about Ḥārithah – he was struck by a stray arrow at Badr.
If he is in Paradise, I will be patient. But if not, I will cry endlessly.”
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“O Umm Ḥārithah! Paradise has many gardens, and your son has attained the highest – Al-Firdaus al-Aʿlā.”

❖ The Souls of Martyrs Reside Under the Divine Throne​

◈ Hadith ㉘​

قَالَ مَسْرُوقٌ: سَأَلْنَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ عَنْ هَذِهِ الْآيَةِ: ﴿وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتًا...﴾
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Book of Leadership (al-Imārah), Hadith No. 4885


Translation:
Masrūq رضي الله عنه said:
We asked ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd رضي الله عنه about the verse:
﴿وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتًا﴾ [Āl ʿImrān: 169]
He said: We asked the Prophet ﷺ about it, and he said:
“The souls of martyrs are in green birds that roam freely in Paradise. They rest in lanterns hanging under the Throne.
Allah looks at them and says: ‘Do you wish for anything?’ They reply: ‘What more could we wish for? We roam Paradise freely.’
When asked three times, they finally said: ‘O our Lord! Return our souls to our bodies so we may be martyred again.’
Allah said: ‘It has already been decreed – they shall not return.’”

❖ The Martyr Will Intercede for 70 Relatives​

◈ Hadith ㉙​

عَنْ الْمِقْدَامِ بْنِ مَعْدِي كَرِبَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«للشهيد عند الله ست خصال...»
Ṣaḥīḥ Sunan Ibn Mājah, by al-Albānī, Hadith No. 2257


Translation:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The martyr has six blessings from Allah:
① He is forgiven with the first drop of his blood,
② He is shown his place in Paradise,
③ He is spared the punishment of the grave,
④ He is protected from the terror of the Day of Judgment,
⑤ He is dressed in the garment of faith and married to houris,
⑥ He is allowed to intercede for seventy relatives.”

❖ Martyrs’ Desire to Return and Die Again in Allah’s Cause​

◈ Hadith ㉚​

عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ:
قُتِلَ أَبِي يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ...
Ṣaḥīḥ Sunan Ibn Mājah, by al-Albānī, Hadith No. 2258


Translation:
Sayyidunā Jābir ibn ʿAbdullāh رضي الله عنهما said:
When my father, ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAmr ibn Ḥarām, was martyred at Uḥud,
The Prophet ﷺ said to me:
“Shall I tell you what Allah said to your father?”
I said: “Yes!”
He ﷺ said:
“Allah spoke to him directly – without a veil – and said: ‘Ask of Me whatever you wish.’
He said: ‘O my Lord! Bring me back to life so I can be martyred again.’
Allah said: ‘It has already been decreed that they shall not return.’
Then he said: ‘O my Lord! Inform those after me.’
So Allah revealed:
﴿وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ الَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَمْوَاتًا...﴾
‘Do not think of those killed in the path of Allah as dead...’”

❖ The Most Beautiful Houses in Paradise Belong to the Martyrs​

◈ Hadith ㉛​

عَنْ سَمُرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ﷺ:
«رَأَيْتُ اللَّيْلَةَ رَجُلَيْنِ أَتَيَانِي، فَصَعِدَا بِي الشَّجَرَةَ، فَأَدْخَلَانِي دَارًا، هِيَ أَحْسَنُ وَأَفْضَلُ، لَمْ أَرَ قَطُّ أَحْسَنَ مِنْهَا. قَالَا: أَمَّا هَذِهِ الدَّارُ فَدَارُ الشُّهَدَاءِ»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Jihād, Hadith No. 2791


Translation:
Sayyidunā Samurah رضي الله عنه said:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Last night I saw two men who came to me and took me up a tree. They entered me into a house which was the most beautiful and best I have ever seen. They said: ‘This house belongs to the martyrs.’”

❖ The Angels Shade the Martyr with Their Wings​

◈ Hadith ㉜​

عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ:
(في قصة استشهاد أبيه)
«...مَا زَالَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ تُظِلُّهُ بِأَجْنِحَتِهَا...»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Jihād, Hadith No. 2816


Translation:
Sayyidunā Jābir ibn ʿAbdullāh رضي الله عنهما narrated regarding the martyrdom of his father:
“I kept uncovering his face and weeping, and the Prophet ﷺ did not prevent me. Then my aunt Fāṭimah also began weeping.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
‘Whether you weep or not, the angels are continuing to shade him with their wings.’”

❖ The Pain of Martyrdom is Like the Bite of an Ant​

◈ Hadith ㉝​

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«الشَّهِيدُ لَا يَجِدُ مَسَّ الْقَتْلِ إِلَّا كَمَا يَجِدُ أَحَدُكُمُ الْقَرْصَةَ يُقْرَصُهَا»
Ṣaḥīḥ Sunan al-Nasā’ī, by al-Albānī, Hadith No. 2963


Translation:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The martyr feels no more pain from being killed than one of you feels from the bite of an ant.”

❖ The Two Most Beloved Drops to Allah​

◈ Hadith ㉞​

عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ:
«لَيْسَ شَيْءٌ أَحَبَّ إِلَى اللَّهِ مِنْ قَطْرَتَيْنِ وَأَثَرَيْنِ...»
Ṣaḥīḥ Sunan al-Tirmidhī, by al-Albānī, Hadith No. 1363


Translation:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“There is nothing more beloved to Allah than two drops and two marks:
① A tear shed out of fear of Allah, and
② A drop of blood spilled in the path of Allah.
As for the two marks:
① A mark left in the path of Allah, and
② A mark left due to performing one of the obligations of Allah.”

❖ The Martyr Will Wish to Return to Die Again and Again​

◈ Hadith ㉟​

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«مَا أَحَدٌ يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يَرْجِعَ إِلَى الدُّنْيَا... إِلَّا الشَّهِيدُ، يَتَمَنَّى أَنْ يَرْجِعَ فَيُقْتَلَ عَشْرَ مَرَّاتٍ، لِمَا يَرَى مِنَ الْكَرَامَةِ»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Jihād, Hadith No. 2817


Translation:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“No one who enters Paradise wishes to return to the world, even if he were to be given all that is on the earth – except the martyr.
He wishes to return and be killed ten times because of the honor and reward he sees.”

❖ The Virtue of Desiring Martyrdom​

◈ Hadith ㊱​

عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ حُنَيْفٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«مَنْ سَأَلَ اللَّهَ الشَّهَادَةَ بِصِدْقٍ بَلَّغَهُ اللَّهُ مَنَازِلَ الشُّهَدَاءِ، وَإِنْ مَاتَ عَلَى فِرَاشِهِ»
Ṣaḥīḥ Sunan al-Nasā’ī, by al-Albānī, Hadith No. 2967


Translation:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever sincerely asks Allah for martyrdom, Allah will grant him the rank of the martyrs, even if he dies on his bed.”

❖ The Prophet ﷺ Desired Martyrdom Repeatedly​

◈ Hadith ㊲​

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«...وَلَوَدِدْتُ أَنِّي أُقْتَلُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ، ثُمَّ أُحْيَا، ثُمَّ أُقْتَلُ، ثُمَّ أُحْيَا، ثُمَّ أُقْتَلُ...»
Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Book of Jihād, Hadith No. 2797


Translation:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“If it were not hard upon my Ummah, I would not lag behind from any military expedition.
I wish that I be killed in the path of Allah, then brought back to life, then killed again, then brought back to life, then killed again.”

❖ The Virtue of Standing Guard in Allah’s Path​

◈ Hadith ㊳​

عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«رِبَاطُ يَوْمٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَمَا فِيهَا...»
Ṣaḥīḥ Sunan al-Tirmidhī, by al-Albānī, Hadith No. 1360


Translation:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Guarding for one day in the path of Allah is better than the world and all it contains.
Even the space of a whip (in Paradise) is better than the world and all in it.
A man’s morning or evening journey in the path of Allah is better than the world and all it contains.”

❖ Importance of Jihad​

◈ Hadith ㊴​

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«مَنْ مَاتَ وَلَمْ يَغْزُ، وَلَمْ يُحَدِّثْ نَفْسَهُ بِالْغَزْوِ، مَاتَ عَلَى شُعْبَةٍ مِنَ النِّفَاقِ»
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Book of Leadership (al-Imārah), Hadith No. 4931


Translation:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever dies without having fought in battle or even having the intention to fight, dies upon a branch of hypocrisy.”

◈ Hadith ㊵​

عَنْ ثَوْبَانَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ:
«يُوشِكُ الْأُمَمُ أَنْ تَدَاعَى عَلَيْكُمْ... فَقَالُوا: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا الْوَهْنُ؟ قَالَ: حُبُّ الدُّنْيَا وَكَرَاهِيَةُ الْمَوْتِ»
Ṣaḥīḥ Sunan Abī Dāwūd, by al-Albānī, Hadith No. 3610


Translation:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The nations will soon call one another against you just as diners call each other to their dish.”
A man asked: “Will we be few in number then, O Messenger of Allah?”
He replied:
“No, you will be many, but you will be like the foam of the sea.
Allah will remove fear of you from the hearts of your enemies, and He will cast ‘wahn’ into your hearts.”
They asked: “O Messenger of Allah, what is wahn?”
He replied:
“Love of the world and hatred of death.”

✦ May Allah send peace and blessings upon His Messenger, his family, and all his companions.​