Chapter: The desirability of seeking travel companions and appointing one of them as a leader whom they obey /0

958 – Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “If people knew what I know about the dangers of solitude, no rider would travel at night by himself.” Narrated by al-Bukhari.

959 – ʿAmr ibn Shuʿayb, from his father, from his grandfather (may Allah be pleased with him), said: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared, “The lone rider is a devil; two riders are two devils; but three make a travelling party.” Narrated by Abū Dāwūd, al-Tirmidhī, and al-Nasāʾī with sound chains, and al-Tirmidhī graded it ḥasan.

960 – Abū Saʿīd and Abū Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with them) said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stated, “When three people set out on a journey, let them appoint one of them as their leader.” A ḥasan report narrated by Abū Dāwūd with a ḥasan chain.

961 – Ibn ʿAbbās (may Allah be pleased with them both) related that the Prophet ﷺ said, “The best number of companions is four, the best number for a detachment is four hundred, and the best number for an army is four.”