Juristic Wisdom In a Hadith Regarding Abyssinians and Turks

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Abee Sukaynah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Leave the Abyssinians alone as long as they leave you alone, and leave the Turks alone as long as they leave you alone”. [1]

Al-Allamah As-Sindee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“Leave the Abyssinians and the Turks as long as they leave you alone”- Meaning, this is due to the fact that the lands of Abyssinia are rugged, and there are vast deserts and seas separating the Muslims from them, thus, the Muslims are not burdened with entry into their lands due to the immense fatigue (it involves).

As for the Turks, their strength is formidable, and their lands are cold. The Arabs, as the soldiers of Islam, were from hot lands, thus, they were not burdened to enter the lands of the Turks. However, if they were to invade the lands of Islam, Allah’s refuge is sought against that, it would not be permissible to refrain from fighting, as indicated by the phrase “as long as they leave you alone.” (2)

(1) Sahih Abee Dawud 4302
(2) Hashiyah As-Sindee Alaa Sunan An-Nasa’i 6/44