Overall Meaning:
The foregoing two hadiths have already shown the merit of even a small measure of jihad in the path of Allah—so what must be said of undertaking much, and of persevering against the enemy?
One must realize that the pursuit of sacred knowledge is itself a mighty form of jihad, and that standing up for the truth, rebutting the arguments of heretics, atheists, and Western missionaries who oppose Islam and seek to eradicate it, is among the greatest kinds of striving in Allah’s cause.
The purpose of jihad is to make Islam manifest and grant it victory; therefore silencing such opponents counts as a lofty and momentous jihad. O Allah, grant the Muslims success in supporting their religion and exalting Your word. You are the Near, the Responsive.
Hadith Eight
Abu Qatadah al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “We set out with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to Hunayn (and he related the story). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, ‘Whoever kills an enemy combatant and can produce clear evidence shall have his salab (personal spoils).’ He repeated this three times.”
Hadith Nine
Salamah ibn al-Akwaʿ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “While the Prophet ﷺ was on a journey, a spy from the polytheists came and sat with some of the Companions, conversing with them. He then slipped away. The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘Track him down and kill him.’ I killed him, and the Prophet awarded me his salab.”
In another narration he asked, “Who killed the man?” They replied, “Ibn al-Akwaʿ.” He said, “He is entitled to all of his salab.”
Gharīb (unfamiliar terms)
salabuhu: with open pronunciation of the sīn, lām, and bāʾ. It refers to the slain man’s clothing, weapons, and the mount he fought on.
Lessons Derived from the Hadith
- Whoever kills an enemy combatant and brings proof of the deed is entitled to his salab, as defined above.
- The salab belongs to the killer whether the army commander declares it before or after the battle.
- Awarding a fighter the salab of his slain enemy serves to encourage and motivate the army to confront the foe.
- It is permissible to kill a scout sent by the enemy to gather information about the Muslims, for leaving him alive would harm the Muslims by allowing him to report on their condition, reveal their weak points, and guide the enemy to