57 – Third: In the lengthy narration of Abū Sufyān Sakhr ibn Ḥarb – may Allah be pleased with him – about Heraclius, the latter asked, “What does he command you?” meaning the Prophet ﷺ. Abū Sufyān replied, “He says: ‘Worship Allah alone and do not associate anything with Him, and forsake what your forefathers say,’ (1) and he commands us to perform the prayer, to speak the truth, to remain chaste, and to maintain family ties.” Agreed upon.
58 – Fourth: Abū Thābit – some say Abū Saʿīd, others Abū al-Walīd – Sahl ibn Ḥunayf, a veteran of Badr, reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever asks Allah Most High for martyrdom with sincerity, Allah will grant him the station of the martyrs even if he dies on his bed.” Related by Muslim.
59 – Fifth: Abū Hurayrah – may Allah be pleased with him – related that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “A prophet from among the prophets – may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon them all – set out on a military expedition and said to his people: ‘Let no man accompany me who has married a woman and still wishes to consummate the marriage but has not yet done so; nor anyone who has built houses whose roofs he has not yet raised; nor anyone who has purchased sheep or khalifāt (2) and is waiting for them to give birth.’
He advanced until, at the time of the ʿAṣr prayer or a little before it, he came near a town. He said to the sun: ‘You are under orders and I am under orders. O Allah, hold it back for us!’ and it was held back until Allah granted him victory. He then gathered the spoils, and a fire came – that is, the fire that used to consume the booty – but it would not touch it. He said, ‘Among you there is ghulūl (3) – illicit appropriation. Let one man from every tribe pledge allegiance to me.’ The hand of one man stuck to his hand, whereupon he said, ‘There is ghulūl in your tribe; let your tribe pledge allegiance to me.’ Then the hands of two – or three – men stuck to his hand, and he said, ‘There is ghulūl among you.’ They brought a head, like the head of a cow, made of gold and placed it down; the fire came and consumed it. Spoils of war were never lawful for anyone before us, but Allah, seeing our weakness and inability, has permitted them to us.” Agreed upon.
Al-khalifāt – the plural of khilfa – refers to pregnant she-camels.