Jihad: The forgotten obligation
21: The Prophet (saw) On An Unsaddled Horse With A Sword Around His Neck
Narrated Anas bin Malik (ra), the Prophet (saw) was the best and the bravest amongst the people. Once the people of Madinah got terrified at night, they went in the direction of the noise that had terrified them. The Prophet (saw) met them (on his way back) after he had found out the truth. He was riding an unsaddled horse belonging to Abu Talha (ra) and a sword was round his neck, he was saying, "Don't be afraid! Don't be afraid!" He further said, "I found it (ie the horse) very fast", or "The horse is very fast".(Sahih Bukhari, p.101, vol.4)
The Muslims have been instructed to provide all things which is used for the purpose of Jihaad and a reward has been promised for providing these things because, the existence and honour of Islam lies in Jihaad. Jihaad is necessary for the honour and elevation of Allah's word and in order for Jihaad to take place there is the need for provision. So on account of Jihaad, reward is also confirmed for the provision for Jihaad.
The horse has a special rank within the Jihaad. Allah swt has instructed the Muslims to train the horse, in the Quran. Allah says:
"And make ready against them all you can of power including tethered horses to threaten the enemy of Allah and your enemy". (Anfaal: 60)
It is stated in the hadith of Muslim that the Prophet (saw) was gently placing his fingers on his horse's forelocks and saying, "Goodness has been placed in the horse's forelock till the day of Judgement".
It is stated in a narration of Nasai that Anas bin Malik (ra) narrated that there was nothing more beloved to the Prophet (saw) than horses. (Fath al Bari, p.66, vol.7)
Allama Ibn Hajar (ra) states that there is glad tidings in this hadith, for the preservation of Islam and Muslims till the day of Judgement. The reason being that the goodness being in the forelocks of the horses is an indication that Jihaad will continue till the day of Judgement and when Jihaad will take place the Mujahideen will also exist and obviously the Mujahideen will be Muslims. So we learn that the deen of Islam and it's followers will remain till the day of Judgement. (Fath ul Bari, p.67, vol.6)
Tamimi Dari (ra) says that the Prophet (saw) said, "Whoever tied a horse in the path of Allah (Jihaad) and prepared the food for the horse, he will be rewarded for every grain". (Ibn Majah, Fath al Bari, p.67, vol.6)
Narrated Abu Huraira (ra), Allah's Apostle (saw) said,
"Horses are kept for one of three purposes:
For some people they are a source of reward , for some clothes they are a means of shelter, and for some others they are a source of sins.
The one for whom they are a source of reward is he who keeps a horse for Allah's cause (Jihaad), tying it with a long tether on a meadow or in a garden, with the result that whatever it cuts from the area of the meadow or garden where it is tied, will be counted as good deeds for his benefit, and if it should break it's rope and jump over one or two hillocks, then all it's dung and it's footmarks will be written as good deeds for him, and if it passes by a river and drinks water from it, even though he had no intention of watering it, even then he will get the reward for it's drinking.
As for the man for whom the horses are a source of sins, he is the one who keeps a horse for the sake of pride and pretense and showing enmity for Muslims, such a horse will be a source of sins for him".(Sahih Bukhari, p.400, vol.1)
The Prophet (saw) used to ride horses and used to advice the Sahaba to do the same. It is stated that mounting an unsaddled horse was belvoed to the early Muslims and there is a chapter in Bukhari relating to riding on an unmanageable horse or a stallion.
Rashid bin Sa'd (ra) said, "The early Muslims preferred to ride stallions, for they were faster and more daring (than mares)".(Sahih Bukhari, English version, p.77, vol.4)
The Prophet (saw) mounted on the unsaddled back of the horse of Abu Talha and praised the horse. (Sahih Bukhari, English version, p.77, vol.4)
This is a very long topic, a lot can be written on this subject, however, the conclusion is that the reason for these great virtues attributed to riding a horse and tethering it, is because the horse was the best provision for Jihaad in that period. We have to understand that whatever articles of weapons are used for Jihaad in any particular period in time, there will be a reward for learning about them and maintaining them. Following these Islamic laws, the Muslims should remain experienced in the war tactics and weapons of war. They should keep all sorts of arms and weapons ready in order to benefit from the reward and subsequently would not feel ashamed and inadequate when it is required.