Practice archery, O progeny of Isma‘īl; your forefather was an archer

Islam > Hadiths > Jurisprudence and juristic principles > Practice archery, O progeny of Isma‘īl; your forefather was an archer

Hadith narrated by Narrated by Bukhari

Authentic hadith

Updated on 24 September 2026 at 12:34 AM

📖 1 min read

Hadith text: Practice archery, O progeny of Isma‘īl; your forefather…

عن سَلَمَة بن الأكْوَع رضي الله عنه قال: مَرَّ النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم على نَفَرٍ يَنْتَضِلُون، فقال: «ارْمُوا بَنِي إسماعيل، فإن أبَاكُم كان رَامِياً».

Explanation of the hadith: Practice archery, O progeny of Isma‘īl; your forefather…

Salamah ibn al-Akwa‘ (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) passed some of his Companions who were shooting arrows together; competing to see who would win. He approved of what they were doing and even encouraged them by saying: "Practice archery, O progeny of Isma‘īl," urging them to continue practicing archery, as it is one of the favors of Allah, the Exalted, upon the progeny of Isma‘īl, meaning: the Arabs. He said to do so, because their forefather, Isma‘īl, the son of Ibrahīm (may peace be upon both of them), was an excellent and skilled archer.

Categories : Jurisprudence of Acts of Worship · Jihad · Jurisprudence and Juristic Principles · Rulings and Issues of Jihad

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Wed 16 Jumada al-Awwal
الأربعاء 16 جمادى الأولى
أحدب متناقص Waning Gibbous Day 17.5 / 29.5
Illumination 92%
New moon in 12 days
حسبنا الله ونعم الوكيل Allah is sufficient for us, the best guardian

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلَٰٓئِكَتَهُۥ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِىِّ ۚ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ صَلُّوا۟ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًا

God and His angels shower their blessings on the Prophet. O believers, you should also send your blessings on him, and salute him with a worthy greeting.

Al-Ahzab 33:56

Blessings on the Prophet ﷺ