a detachment to the coast during al-Hudaybiyah. He saw a wild ass, mounted his horse, and forgot his spear. He said to one of his companions, “Hand me the spear.” He replied, “I will not hand it to you, for I am in ihram.” So he dismounted and took it himself, then struck the game. He brought it to his companions and gave them some to eat, but they became doubtful about it until they reached the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and asked him. He permitted them to eat it, even though they were in ihram. (1)

The two reports may be reconciled by saying that Abu Qatadah, may Allah be pleased with him, hunted it for himself, whereas al-Sa‘b ibn Jaththamah, may Allah be pleased with him, hunted it for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. This reconciliation is preferable to claiming abrogation, for some scholars said that the hadith of al-Sa‘b abrogates the other report because it came later: the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, returned it, saying, “We are in ihram.”

The correct view is that, where reconciliation is possible, there is no abrogation. Reconciliation is possible here, as supported by what the compilers of the Sunan narrated from Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with them both, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Land game is lawful for you, so long as you do not hunt it yourselves or it is not hunted on your behalf.” (2)

If someone were to ask: Abu Qatadah, may Allah be pleased with him, was with his companions when he hunted the wild ass, so how can it be said that he intended it for himself and did not hunt it for his companions?!