Can You Ride an Unsaddled Horse? (Ahadith 2512 – 2513)

Bismillah.

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 117 :
Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu)
When the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) put his feet in the stirrup and the she-camel got up carrying him he would start reciting Talbiya at the mosque of Dhul-Hulaifa.

Volume 4, Book 52, Number 118 :
Narrated by Anas (radiallaahu `anhu)
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) met them (i.e. the people) while he was riding an unsaddled horse with his sword slung over his shoulder.

Stirrup in focus.

We get to know from the above narrations that the Prophet (SAW) could ride a horse saddled and otherwise. He said: “Teach your children swimming, archery and horse riding”. In another narration, he said, “Practice archery and horseback riding.” [Sahih Muslim]

Horse riding, archery and swimming must be part of an average Muslim’s skill set. And I personally think that today’s children should be taught driving and gun shooting as well, so when push comes to shove, they’re able to save their and/or others’ lives whichever way possible. And it’s not important to learn these things just for saving lives, but to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle (driving I must exclude from this :P).

Next step: find a horse to ride!

Advertisement