al-Hikam al-Jadira bil-Idhaa
- Author died
- 795 AH
- Editions
- t al-Arnaut
al-Hikam al-Jadira bil-Idhaa (al-Ḥikam al-Jadīrah bi-l-Iḏhāʻah min Qawl al-Nabī: Bu‘ithtu bi-l-Sayf Bayna Yaday al-Sā‘ah, "The Wisdoms Worthy of Dissemination from the Prophet's Saying: 'I Was Sent with the Sword Before the Hour'") is a specialized hadith commentary treatise by the Hanbali jurist and traditionist Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (736–795 AH / 1336–1393 CE) .
Subject and Content
The treatise provides an analytical commentary on a single comprehensive hadith transmitted by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal on the authority of Abdullah ibn Umar, in which the Prophet ﷺ said: بُعِثْتُ بِالسَّيْفِ بَيْنَ يَدَيِ السَّاعَةِ، حَتَّى يُعْبَدَ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَجُعِلَ رِزْقِي تَحْتَ ظِلِّ رُمْحِي، وَجُعِلَ الذِّلَّةُ وَالصَّغَارُ عَلَى مَنْ خَالَفَ أَمْرِي، وَمَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ ("I was sent with the sword ahead of the Hour until Allah alone is worshipped without partner, my provision was placed under the shadow of my spear, humiliation and lowliness were assigned to whoever opposes my command, and whoever imitates a people is one of them") .
Ibn Rajab breaks down each clause of the narration and elaborates on its theological, legal, and ethical meanings:
- Prophetic mission and the sword: Ibn Rajab explains that the Prophet ﷺ was sent to call people to Tawhid (monotheism) by means of proof, the Quran, and clear demonstration; those who refused to respond to proof were then addressed by the sword . He supports this interpretation with the Quranic verse: لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَنزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ وَأَنزَلْنَا الْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَاسٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ ("We have sent Our messengers with clear proofs and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that people may uphold justice, and We sent down iron, wherein is great military might and benefits for the people") [al-Hadid: 25] . He notes that the Prophet was commanded to use the sword after the Hijrah when he acquired a domain, followers, and defensive power, though warnings had been delivered beforehand .
- Livelihood under the spear: Addressing the clause concerning provision, Ibn Rajab clarifies that the Prophet ﷺ was not sent to pursue, amass, or hoard worldly wealth . Instead, his fighting was undertaken solely so that Allah's word would reign supreme; therefore, his livelihood was granted as a byproduct of worship and jihad rather than an intended worldly pursuit .
- Humiliation for opposing the Prophet's command: Ibn Rajab explains that anyone who deviates from the prophetic guidance incurs humiliation and lowliness according to the degree of their disobedience, noting that abandoning jihad despite having the capability to perform it is among the primary causes of humiliation for the Muslim community .
Manuscripts and Publication
Manuscript copies of the treatise have been preserved in several historical collections, including a copy in the Fatih collection in Istanbul (MS 5318) and another in the Saudi Library (MS 56/16b) .
The work has been printed across several editions, both independently and within collections of Ibn Rajab's shorter treatises (Majmū‘ Rasā’il Ibn Rajab) . Notable standalone publications include:
- An edition printed by Dar Murjan in Cairo, featuring an introductory note by Muhammad Nasir al-Din al-Albani .
- An edition supervised by Zuhayr al-Shawish, published by al-Maktab al-Islami in Beirut (first edition 1403 AH; second edition 1408 AH) .
- An edition edited by Abd al-Qadir al-Arna'ut, published by Dar al-Ma'mun in Damascus (first edition 1990) .
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