The best number of companions is four; the best detachment is (that made up of) four hundr…

Islam > Hadiths > Dawah and hisbah > Da‘wah and Hisbah

Hadith narrated by Narrated by At-Termedhy - Narrated by Abu Daoud - Narrated by Ahmad

Authenticity grade : Authentic hadith

Updated on 24 September 2026 at 12:34 AM

📖 1 min read

Hadith text: The best number of companions is four; the best detachm…

عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما مرفوعاً: «خير الصحابة أربعة، وخير السَّرَايَا أَرْبَعُمِائة، وخير الجيوش أربعة آلاف، ولن يُغْلَبَ اثنا عشر ألفا مِنْ قِلَّةٍ»

Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The best number of companions is four; the best detachment is (that made up of) four hundred; and the best army is (that made up of) four thousand; and twelve thousand men will never be defeated because of their small numbers."

Explanation of the hadith: The best number of companions is four; the best detachm…

Explanation: The best companionship is that made up of four persons; and the best detachment consists of four hundred soldiers; and the most helpful soldiers are those that have reached four thousand. If an army reaches twelve thousand soldiers, it will not be defeated. If it is defeated, then it will not be due to its small number; rather it might be defeated for some other reasons, such as lack of religious commitment, feeling proud of their large number, committing sins, absence of sincerity to Allah, etc.

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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Thu 11 Rabi' al-Thani
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