Chapter 161

The desirability of reciting poetry during combat

THE HADITHS IN the previous chapter apply [here also].
We relate in the Ṣaḥīḥs of al-Bukhārī and Muslim that al-Barā’ ibn ‘Āzib Honorific symbol reported that a man asked him: “Did you run away from the Messenger of Allah Honorific symbol on the Day of Ḥunayn?” Al-Barā’ said: “But the Messenger of Allah Honorific symbol did not run away. I saw him on his white mule with Sufyān ibn al-Ḥārith holding the reins. The Messenger of Allah Honorific symbol was saying:
‘I am the Prophet and that is no lie;
and I am the son of ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib.’” [1].
In one narration it is, “And he alighted, supplicated and sought help.”
We relate in both Ṣaḥīḥs that al-Barā’ Honorific symbol also said: “I saw the Prophet Honorific symbol moving sand on the Day of the Confederates. Dust had covered the skin of his abdomen. He was saying:
‘Had it not been for You, we would not have been guided,
we would not have given charity, or prayed.
Send down peace and tranquillity upon us,
and make our feet firm when we meet the foe.
They have transgressed against us;
Remembrance 1
when they wanted trouble we refused.’” [2].
Arabic text from the source edition
Law lā Anta ma-htadaynā
Fa-anzilan sakīnatan ‘alaynā
Inna-l-ulā qad baghaw ‘alaynā
Remembrance 2
Arabic text from the source edition
wa lā taṣaddaqnā wa lā ṣallaynā.
wa thabbiti-l-aqdāma in lāqaynā.
idhā arādū fitnatan abaynā.
Remembrance 3
We relate in the Ṣaḥīḥ of al-Bukhārī that Anas Honorific symbol reported: “The Muhājirūn and the Anṣār were digging the Trench and carrying the earth on their backs, saying: ‘We are the ones who made a pledge with Muḥammad [to stay true to] Islam . . ..’ [3].
Arabic text from the source edition
Naḥnu-lladhīna bāya‘ū Muḥammadan
Remembrance 4
Arabic text from the source edition
‘ala l-Islāmi . . .
Another narration has: ‘. . .[to wage] jihād as long as we live.’
Arabic text from the source edition
‘. . .alā-l-jihādi mā baqīnā.
“The Prophet Honorific symbol replied:
‘O Allah, there is no good but the good of the Hereafter,
Remembrance 5
so bless the Helpers and the Emigrants.’”
Arabic text from the source edition
Allāhumma innahu lā khayra illā khayru-l-ākhirah,
fa-bārik fi-l-Anṣāri wa-l-Muhājirah.

References

[1] Al-Bukhārī (4317), Muslim (1776), and at-Tirmidhī (1688).
[2] Al-Bukhārī (4106) and Muslim (1803).
[3] Al-Bukhārī (4100), Muslim (1805), and at-Tirmidhī (3856).