must obey him as far as he is able; for if another arrives trying to dispute his authority, strike the neck of that other.” Related by Muslim.

His statement “yantadil” means that they were competing in shooting arrows. “Al-jashr”—with a jīm, a dotted shīn, and a rā’—refers to animals that graze and bed down where they are. The phrase “yaruqqiqu baʿḍuhā baʿḍan” means that each trial makes the one before it thin, i.e., insignificant, because of the gravity of what follows; the second trial renders the first light. It has also been said that it means each trial tempts one toward the next by beautifying it and making it alluring, and it has been said that the trials resemble one another.

Explanation

This hadith, cited by the author—may Allah have mercy on him—in Riyāḍ al-Ṣāliḥīn under the chapter “The Obligation of Obeying Those in Authority,” is narrated from Ibn ʿAmr, may Allah be pleased with them both. He said: “We were with the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, on a journey. When we halted, the people scattered: some set about fixing their tents, some were practising archery, and others were occupied with their grazing animals. This is the usual practice of travellers when they dismount: each person busies himself with whatever he deems necessary.

Then the caller of the Messenger of Allah proclaimed, ‘The prayer is about to be held!’ This call is made for the eclipse prayer and whenever the imam or the governor wishes to assemble the people. Instead of announcing, ‘O people, come to such-and-such a place,’ he says, ‘The prayer is about to be held,’ so the people gather.

So the people gathered, and the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—addressed them and informed them that