The Famous Incident of Hazrat Suwaybat ﷺ and Hazrat Nu‘ayman ﷺ — With Authentic References
Introduction: A Funny Story That Became Famous
Islam is a complete way of life. It teaches worship, jihad, and good manners, but it also allows love, friendship, and laughter. The Companions of the Prophet ﷺ were not only brave and pious but also happy and cheerful. Some of them were known for their sense of humor.
We are going to talk about a historical story from 1400 years ago. It is about the prank of Hazrat Suwaybat ﷺ and Hazrat Nu‘ayman ﷺ. This prank made the Prophet ﷺ and his companions laugh for a whole year.
Authentic References
Sunan Ibn Majah — Book of Manners (Kitab al-Adab), Chapter on Humor, Hadith 3719
Narrator: Hazrat Umm Salamah ﷺ (Mother of the Believers)
Chain of Narration: Abu Bakr → Waki‘ → Zama‘ah ibn Salih → al-Zuhri → Abdullah ibn Wahb ibn Zama‘ah → Umm Salamah ﷺ
Grading: Weak (according to Darussalam), but scholars say the story is important and true in meaning.
Other references:
- Al-Bidayah wa’l-Nihayah — Hafiz Ibn Kathir (701–774 AH), in the section about Companions
- The story is mentioned in Sira books to show the cheerful nature of the Companions and the human side of the Prophet ﷺ.
The Companions — Who Were They?
Hazrat Nu‘ayman ibn ‘Amr RA
- He was from the Ansar, Khazraj tribe.
- Accepted Islam in the Second Pledge of Aqabah with 70 Ansar.
- Participated in battles including Badr, Uhud, and Khandaq — a Badri Companion with high rank.
References: - Al-Isti‘ab fi Ma‘rifat al-Ashab — Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr (d. 463 AH), Vol. 4
- Asad al-Ghabah fi Ma‘rifat al-Sahabah — Ibn al-Athir (d. 630 AH)
The Prophet ﷺ said about him: “Say nothing about Nu‘ayman except good, because he loves Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.”
Reference: Fadl International — Biography of Hazrat Nu‘ayman RA (17 Sept 2019)
- He passed away in 60 AH during the time of Hazrat Amir Mu‘awiyah RA.
Hazrat Suwaybat ibn Harmalah RA
- Also from the Ansar and participated in the Battle of Badr.
- He was a very funny man. Sunan Ibn Majah calls him rajulan muzzahan (“a very humorous man”).
- This is why he became the target of Nu‘ayman RA’s prank.
Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 3719: وَكَانَ سُوَيْبِطٌ رَجُلاً مَزَّاحًا
The Full Story — According to Sunan Ibn Majah
The Journey — Trading Trip to Busra
Umm Salamah RA narrates that one year before the Prophet ﷺ’s death, Hazrat Abu Bakr As-Siddiq RA went on a trading trip to Busra (now in Syria).
Hazrat Nu‘ayman RA and Hazrat Suwaybat RA went with him.
Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 3719: خَرَجَ أَبُو بَكْرٍ فِي تِجَارَةٍ إِلَى بُصْرَى قَبْلَ مَوْتِ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ بِعَامٍ
Duties
Abu Bakr RA made Nu‘ayman RA the person in charge of the caravan’s food. No one could take food without his permission until Abu Bakr RA returned.
Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 3719: وَكَانَ نُعَيْمَانُ عَلَى الزَّادِ
Hunger and Mischief
While Abu Bakr RA was away, Suwaybat RA got hungry. He asked Nu‘ayman RA for food, but Nu‘ayman RA refused. Suwaybat RA said: “I will do something to annoy you.”
Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 3719: قَالَ فَلأُغِيظَنَّكَ
The Prank “Ten Camels for a Slave”
Suwaybat RA went to a nearby tribe and asked if they would buy his “slave.”
He said the “slave” was clever and would claim freedom. The tribe agreed and bought the “slave” for ten female camels.
Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 3719: فَاشْتَرَوْهُ مِنْهُ بِعَشْرِ قَلاَئِصَ
Nu‘ayman RA was brought with a rope around his neck. He protested: “This man is joking! I am free, not a slave!”
The tribe laughed: “Yes, we already knew you would say this.”
Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 3719: قَدْ أَخْبَرَنَا خَبَرَكَ
Abu Bakr RA Returns
Abu Bakr RA returned, gave back the ten camels, and freed Nu‘ayman RA.
Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 3719: فَاتَّبَعَ الْقَوْمَ وَرَدَّ عَلَيْهِمُ الْقَلاَئِصَ وَأَخَذَ نُعَيْمَانَ
The Prophet ﷺ’s Reaction
When the Prophet ﷺ heard the story, he laughed very loudly. His companions laughed too. They remembered and laughed at this story for a whole year.
Reference: Sunan Ibn Majah 3719: فَضَحِكَ النَّبِيُّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ وَأَصْحَابُهُ مِنْهُ حَوْلاً
Nu‘ayman RA Loving Allah with Humor
Even though Nu‘ayman RA loved joking, he loved Allah and His Messenger ﷺ deeply.
Once someone said: “May Allah curse him for making mistakes,”
The Prophet ﷺ said: “Do not curse him! By Allah, I know he loves Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.”
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Hudud, Hadith 6780
His jokes never took him away from faith. They were part of his human nature.
Lessons From This Story
- The Prophet ﷺ Was Human Too
He was serious, but he also laughed, enjoyed, and shared happy moments. - Humor Is Allowed in Islam
Islam allows harmless jokes. The Prophet ﷺ laughed at Nu‘ayman RA’s prank because it did no harm.
Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith 1990 - Brotherhood Among Companions RA
The story shows the love and friendship among Companions. Even if someone was annoyed, seeing the Prophet ﷺ laugh made everyone happy. - Responsibility of Abu Bakr RA
He acted quickly to fix the problem and protect his Companion — showing care and leadership. - Honored Badri Companions RA
Both main actors were Badri Companions, highly respected by the Prophet ﷺ.
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 3983
Authenticity of the Story
Sunan Ibn Majah 3719 is graded weak by some scholars because of a narrator. But the story is mentioned in other books like Ibn Kathir (Al-Bidayah wa’l-Nihayah) and Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr (Al-Isti‘ab). It is safe to learn from, and it does not go against Shariah.
Conclusion
This story shows that Islam is natural, human, and complete. It teaches us to laugh, love, and be open with others, as long as we do not lie or hurt anyone.
The Prophet ﷺ laughing for a year shows life is not only seriousness. Smiles, joy, and friendliness are part of Sunnah.
May Allah give us the ability to follow the love, friendship, and example of the Companions RA. Ameen.
References
Wikipedia Urdu — Nu‘ayman ibn ‘Amr RA — with authentic references
Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 3719 — Book of Manners, Chapter on Humor, Narrated by Umm Salamah RA
Sahih Bukhari, Book of Hudud, Hadith 6780 — About Hazrat Nu‘ayman RA
Sahih Bukhari, Book of Military Expeditions, Hadith 3983 — Status of Badri Companions
Sunan Tirmidhi, Book of Virtue & Prayer, Hadith 1990 — Prohibition of lying for humor
Al-Bidayah wa’l-Nihayah — Hafiz Ibn Kathir (701–774 AH) — Biographies of Companions
Al-Isti‘ab fi Ma‘rifat al-Ashab — Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr (368–463 AH) — Biography of Nu‘ayman RA
Asad al-Ghabah fi Ma‘rifat al-Sahabah — Ibn al-Athir (555–630 AH) — Biography of Nu‘ayman RA