Sunan Abī Dāwūd Ḥadīth [3661] – The Virtue of Spreading Knowledge

While explaining the excellence of knowledge, the author, may Allāh shower blessings on him, quoted this ḥadīth of Sahl bin Sa’d (may Allāh be pleased with him). He (may Allāh be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet said to ‘Alī bin ‘Abī Ṭālib when he gave him the banner or flag on the Day of Khaybar: “Continue till you arrive opposite to them. Then invite them to Islām and explain to them what their obligations to Allāh are. By Allāh, if a single person is guided through you, it will be better for you than a whole lot of red camels.”

He (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) wrote that were Allāh to guide a single person through him, it will be better for him than a whole lot of red camels. Al-Ḥumr is the plural form of ḥumarā’, which refers to red camel, while al-ḥumur is the plural form of ḥimār, which means donkey. For this reason, some students fall into error by saying: ‘It is better for you than a whole lot of donkeys.’ This is a blunder because al-ḥumur is the plural form of ḥimār, donkey, as stated by Allāh, the Most High: “As if they were (frightened) wild donkeys.” (74:50). The word, al-ḥumur, was used for donkeys in this verse.

The word al-ḥumr, is the plural of ḥumarā’ and aḥmar. In this context, it is the plural of ḥumarā’ which means a red camel. It was the most pleasing of properties to the Arabs at that time. So if Allāh guides a single person through you, that is better for you than a herd of red camels.

This ḥadīth encourages (seeking for) knowledge, teaching (it) and inviting to the way of Allāh, the Mighty and Sublime. This is because it is not possible for one to invite to Allāh except one possesses knowledge. Thus, when he teaches what he knows from the sharī’ah of Allāh and invites to it, this is a proof of the excellence of knowledge.

• Reference: [1379-1380 (5/476-477), Riyāḍuṣ Ṣāliḥīn, Dārussalām (Eng)]

“Better for you than red camels” is an allegory for every thing that is better than anything else. Red camels used to be precious in Arabia, and their reference here is to highlight the value of guidance. Thus, this ḥadīth brings into prominence the importance of calling people towards Allāh. But before calling others to the path of Allāh, one must himself know it, and for this purpose, the knowledge of the Qurān and ḥadīth is essential because one cannot provide any guidance in this respect without this knowledge.

• Reference: [1379 (2/1024), Riyāḍuṣ Ṣāliḥīn, Dārussalām (Eng)]

• Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (2942, 3009, 3701 & 4210)
• Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (2406)
• Musnad Aḥmad (22821 (37/477-478)) ^{[Shu’ayb al-Arna’ūṭ]}
• Musnad Aḥmad (22719 (16/437-438)) ^{[Aḥmad Shākir]}
• Al-Musnad al-Jāmi’ (5132 (7/307-308))
• Tuḥfatul Ashrāf (4730 (3/652))
• Riyāḍuṣ Ṣāliḥīn (1379)
• Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmi’ (7094 (2/1193))
• Talkhīṣ al-Jāmi’ al-Kāmil (1130 (1/353))

Grade:

• Ṣaḥīḥ by Shaykh al-Albānī (Sunan Abī Dāwūd & Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmi’)
• Ṣaḥīḥ by Majlis ‘Ilmi Dar ad-Da’wah, New Delhi (Sunan Abī Dawūd)
• Isnād ṣaḥīḥ as per the conditions of shaykhayn by Shaykh Shu’ayb al-Arna’ūṭ (Musnad Aḥmad)
• Isnād ṣaḥīḥ by Shaykh Aḥmad Shākir (Musnad Aḥmad)
• Mutaffaqun ‘alay by Shaykh Dr. Ḍiyā’-ur-Raḥmān al-‘Aẓamī by (Talkhīṣ al-Jāmi’ al-Kāmil)