✍ Adapted from Ḍiyā’ al-Islām fī Sharḥ al-Ilmām bi-Aḥādīth al-Aḥkām by Shaykh Taqī al-Dīn Abī al-Fatḥ (translated by Maulana Mahmood Ahmad Ghaznfar)
Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn Kaʿb ibn Mālik (رضي الله عنه):
"A contingent of the Ansar was stationed in the land of Fāris (Persia) under the leadership of their Amir. ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) used to organize armies each year, but on this occasion, he became occupied and did not assign their reinforcement. When their term ended, the stationed forces returned. ʿUmar was harsh upon them and warned them sternly. These were the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ, and they replied: 'O ʿUmar, you were heedless of us and neglected the method which the Prophet ﷺ had commanded—namely, for one battalion to succeed another.'"
[Sunan Abū Dāwūd: 2960 – Ḥadīth Ṣaḥīḥ]
The Sahabah highlighted to ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) that jihad is not a one-time affair, but a responsibility that must be upheld regularly, with one battalion relieving another.
② Military command requires strategic delegation.
Senior military leaders may assign responsibilities to junior commanders based on the situation. This indicates the flexibility and hierarchy in Islamic military organization.
③ It is the duty of a ruler or caliph to dispatch forces.
ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه)’s annual arrangement of armies shows that jihad was an organized state responsibility, not a random endeavor.
④ Leaders must remain vigilant and connected with their forces.
A commander or ruler should regularly check on the status, morale, and needs of the armies and encourage them to maintain their duties at the front lines.
“Let not the banner of Jihad fall – for its shade covers the steadfast and the strategic alike.”
◈ The Event of the Ansar's Army in Fāris (Persia)
Narrated by ʿAbdullāh ibn Kaʿb ibn Mālik (رضي الله عنه):"A contingent of the Ansar was stationed in the land of Fāris (Persia) under the leadership of their Amir. ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) used to organize armies each year, but on this occasion, he became occupied and did not assign their reinforcement. When their term ended, the stationed forces returned. ʿUmar was harsh upon them and warned them sternly. These were the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ, and they replied: 'O ʿUmar, you were heedless of us and neglected the method which the Prophet ﷺ had commanded—namely, for one battalion to succeed another.'"
[Sunan Abū Dāwūd: 2960 – Ḥadīth Ṣaḥīḥ]◈ Key Insights from the Report
① Jihad is a continuous duty that must be maintained.The Sahabah highlighted to ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) that jihad is not a one-time affair, but a responsibility that must be upheld regularly, with one battalion relieving another.
② Military command requires strategic delegation.
Senior military leaders may assign responsibilities to junior commanders based on the situation. This indicates the flexibility and hierarchy in Islamic military organization.
③ It is the duty of a ruler or caliph to dispatch forces.
ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه)’s annual arrangement of armies shows that jihad was an organized state responsibility, not a random endeavor.
④ Leaders must remain vigilant and connected with their forces.
A commander or ruler should regularly check on the status, morale, and needs of the armies and encourage them to maintain their duties at the front lines.
◈ Lessons in Administration and Obedience
- Even the most virtuous individuals (i.e., the Sahabah) could be subject to criticism if they misunderstood or neglected a command, but their response was respectful and rooted in prophetic precedent.
- Their reminder to ʿUmar shows the importance of upholding the Sunnah in matters of warfare and leadership, even during caliphate rule.
- The Prophet ﷺ’s system of succession among battalions ensured that the defense of Islam never faltered, and this practice was seen as an obligation by his Companions.
❖ Conclusion ❖
Jihad in Islam is not a spontaneous act, but a calculated and strategic responsibility rooted in divine instruction and prophetic tradition. This account from the time of ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) teaches us that maintaining continuity in Jihad, organized military rotation, and leadership accountability are key components in fulfilling this collective obligation of the Ummah. “Let not the banner of Jihad fall – for its shade covers the steadfast and the strategic alike.”