✿ Written by: Hafiz Muti'ullah
"We were with the Prophet (ﷺ) during a military expedition, and he said: 'Indeed, there are men in Medina who did not travel the distance you traveled nor crossed any valley but were with you; disease held them back.'"
In another narration: "They shared the reward with you."
(Narrated by Muslim)
Similarly, Anas (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
"We returned from the expedition of Tabuk with the Prophet (ﷺ), and he said: 'Indeed, there are people in Medina; whenever we crossed a mountain pass or a valley, they were with us (in reward). They were held back by (a legitimate) excuse.'"
(Narrated by al-Bukhari)
Although the wordings slightly differ between the narrations of al-Bukhari and Muslim, the meaning remains consistent. Due to minor wording differences, some scholars did not label it as "agreed upon" (متفق عليه) unless both the chain and text were identical, as clarified by Hafiz Ibn Hajar in Nukat 'ala Muqaddimat Ibn al-Salah.
✔ ② If someone is prevented by blindness, illness, or lameness from participating, they are not sinful.
✔ ③ Anyone genuinely prevented by a valid excuse falls under the category of Ahl al-‘Udhr (those excused).
✔ ④ If a person has a sincere intention but is prevented by a legitimate excuse, they receive the reward as if they had acted.
✔ ⑤ This hadith demonstrates Allah’s vast mercy and the ease found within Islam.
"Not equal are those believers remaining [at home]—other than the disabled—and the Mujahideen (those who strive and fight) in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives."
(Surah An-Nisa, 4:95)
Introduction
Abu Abdullah Jabir bin Abdullah al-Ansari (رضي الله عنهما) narrates:"We were with the Prophet (ﷺ) during a military expedition, and he said: 'Indeed, there are men in Medina who did not travel the distance you traveled nor crossed any valley but were with you; disease held them back.'"
In another narration: "They shared the reward with you."
(Narrated by Muslim)
Similarly, Anas (رضي الله عنه) narrated:
"We returned from the expedition of Tabuk with the Prophet (ﷺ), and he said: 'Indeed, there are people in Medina; whenever we crossed a mountain pass or a valley, they were with us (in reward). They were held back by (a legitimate) excuse.'"
(Narrated by al-Bukhari)
Authentication of the Hadith
- Narration of Jabir: Recorded by Muslim (1911)
- Narration of Anas: Recorded by al-Bukhari (Fath al-Bari 6/46–47)
Although the wordings slightly differ between the narrations of al-Bukhari and Muslim, the meaning remains consistent. Due to minor wording differences, some scholars did not label it as "agreed upon" (متفق عليه) unless both the chain and text were identical, as clarified by Hafiz Ibn Hajar in Nukat 'ala Muqaddimat Ibn al-Salah.
Explanation of Vocabulary (Gharib al-Hadith)
- في غزاة ("During an expedition"): Refers to the expedition of Tabuk, as clarified by Anas's narration.
- شركو كم فى الاجر ("They shared with you in reward"): Indicates their equal share in reward despite not being physically present.
- اقواما ("People"): Refers specifically to men.
- الشعب ("Mountain Pass"): A gap or path between mountains.
- الوادي ("Valley"): The natural path where water flows between hills and mountains.
- العذر ("Excuse"): A legitimate reason preventing participation, like illness or disability.
Jurisprudential Points (Fiqh al-Hadith)
✔ ① Those who engage in Jihad in Allah’s cause are superior to those who remain at home without an excuse.✔ ② If someone is prevented by blindness, illness, or lameness from participating, they are not sinful.
✔ ③ Anyone genuinely prevented by a valid excuse falls under the category of Ahl al-‘Udhr (those excused).
✔ ④ If a person has a sincere intention but is prevented by a legitimate excuse, they receive the reward as if they had acted.
✔ ⑤ This hadith demonstrates Allah’s vast mercy and the ease found within Islam.
Qur'anic Support
Allah Almighty says:"Not equal are those believers remaining [at home]—other than the disabled—and the Mujahideen (those who strive and fight) in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives."
(Surah An-Nisa, 4:95)
