Hadithcore
Sunan Abi Dawud, 3965
sahih· Al-Albani

Narrated AbuNajih as-Sulami:

Along with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) we besieged the palace of at-Ta'if. The narrator, Mutadh, said: I heard my father (sometimes) say: "Palace of at-Ta'if," and (sometimes) "Fort of at-Ta'if," which are the same. I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: he who causes an arrow to hit its mark in Allah's cause will have it counted as a degree for him (in Paradise). He then transmitted the rest of the tradition. I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: If a Muslim man emancipates a Muslim man, Allah, the Exalted, will make every bone of his protection for every bone of his emancipator from Hell; and if a Muslim woman emancipates a Muslim woman, Allah will make every bone of hers protection for every bone of her emancipator from Hell on the Day of Resurrection.

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاذُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ سَالِمِ بْنِ أَبِي الْجَعْدِ، عَنْ مَعْدَانَ بْنِ أَبِي طَلْحَةَ الْيَعْمَرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي نَجِيحٍ السُّلَمِيِّ، قَالَ حَاصَرْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِقَصْرِ الطَّائِفِ - قَالَ مُعَاذٌ سَمِعْتُ أَبِي يَقُولُ بِقَصْرِ الطَّائِفِ بِحِصْنِ الطَّائِفِ كُلُّ ذَلِكَ - فَسَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏"‏ مَنْ بَلَغَ بِسَهْمٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَلَهُ دَرَجَةٌ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَسَاقَ الْحَدِيثَ وَسَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏"‏ أَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ مُسْلِمٍ أَعْتَقَ رَجُلاً مُسْلِمًا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ جَاعِلٌ وِقَاءَ كُلِّ عَظْمٍ مِنْ عِظَامِهِ عَظْمًا مِنْ عِظَامِ مُحَرَّرِهِ مِنَ النَّارِ وَأَيُّمَا امْرَأَةٍ أَعْتَقَتِ امْرَأَةً مُسْلِمَةً فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ جَاعِلٌ وِقَاءَ كُلِّ عَظْمٍ مِنْ عِظَامِهَا عَظْمًا مِنْ عِظَامِ مُحَرَّرِهَا مِنَ النَّارِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Isnad

6 transmitters
Muhammad bin al-Muthna - al-ZamanMua'dh bin Hisham bin AbyHisham bin Abi 'Abdullah al-Dastawa'iQatadaSalm bin Abi al-Ja'dMa'dan bin Abi Talha
References2 variants
In-Book Reference
Book 31, Hadith 40
English Reference
Book 30, Hadith 3954
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
Firing an arrow in the cause of Allah and freeing slaves are both acts of great virtue in the sight of Allah.This Hadith clearly outlines their immense reward. The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever sends forth an arrow in the cause of Allah will have a degree (of reward),” meaning that if an arrow reaches the enemy and causes injury or harm in them, the one who shot it earns a rank and a noble status in Paradise. He then continued: “And any Muslim man who frees a Muslim man, Allah will place in protection from the Hellfire one of his bones in place of each bone of the man he freed.” That is, every bone of the emancipator will be spared from the Hellfire in exchange for every bone of the freed person, serving as ransom from punishment. This reward is specified for freeing a Muslim, as it brings greater benefit and spiritual merit, unlike the freeing of a non-believer. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also clarified that women shall receive the same reward: “And any Muslim woman who frees a Muslim woman, Allah will place in protection from the Hellfire one of her bones in place of each bone of the woman she freed on the Day of Resurrection.” It has been said that freeing a male slave carries greater merit, is more complete, and brings a greater reward. This is due to the broader benefits that may result from a man’s strength, capabilities, and the responsibilities he can fulfill.It has also been reported that freeing two women equates to the reward of freeing one man.The Hadith highlights the virtue of the one who frees a believing soul..