The Prophet (saws) said: The best number of companions is four, the best number in expeditions four hundred, and the best number in armies four thousand; and twelve thousand will not be overcome through smallness of numbers.

Abu Dawud said: What is correct is that this tradition is mursal (i.e. the link of the Companion is missing).

The Prophet (saws) Said: The children of a man come from what he earns, rather they are his pleasantest earning; so enjoy from their property.

Abu Dawud said: Hammad b. Abi Sulaiman added in his version: "When you need." But this (addition) is munkar (not authoritative).

The Prophet (saws) used to read the verse "Is there any that will receive admonition (muddakir)? " that is with doubling of consonant [(dal)(d)].

Abu Dawud said: The word muddakir may be pronounced as mim (m) with a short vowel u. (dal)(d) with a short vowel and kaf (k) with a short vowel i.

The Prophet (saws) said: There will be civil strife which wipe out the Arabs, and their slain will go to Hell. During it the tongue will be more severe than blows of the sword.

Abu Dawud said: Al-Thawri transmitted it from Laith, from Tawus on the authority of Al-A'jam.

I heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) as saying: The best places to sit are those which provide most room.

Abu Dawud said: The name of 'Abd al-Rahman b. Abi 'Amr is 'Abd al-Rahman b. 'Amr b. Abi 'Umrat al-Ansari.

I think he said for the fifth time: If he drinks it, kill him.

Abu Dawud said: And similarly the word “a fifth time” occurs in the tradition of Abu Ghutaif.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) used to sacrifice goat out of every fifty goats.

Abu Dawud said: Fara' means the first baby camel born (to the Arabs). They used to sacrifice it for their idols, and then eat it, and its skin was thrown on a tree. 'Atira was a sacrifice made during the first ten days of Rajab.

A similar tradition has also been transmitted by al-Laith b. Sa'd from al-Zuhri, from Abu Salamah from Jabir.

When the last ten days of Ramadan came, the Prophet (saws) kept vigil and prayed during the whole night, and tied the wrapper tightly, and awakened his family (to pray during the night).

Abu Dawud said: The name of Abu Ya'fur is 'Abd al-Rahman b. 'Ubaid b. Nistas.

'Abd Allah b. al-'Ala' narrated on the authority of Nafi' saying: When the twilight was about to disappear, he alighted and combined both (the prayers).

He cut off our prayer, may Allah cut off his walking.

Abu Dawud said: This version narrated by Mushir on the authority of Sa’id has: He cut off our prayer.

The mark of earth was seen on the forehead and nose of the Messenger of Allah(may peace be upon him) who had led the people I prayer.

Abu Ali said: Abu Dawud did not recite this tradition when he recited his collection(of sunan) for the fourth time.

Umm Habibah had a prolonged flow of blood ; her husband used to cohabit with her.

Abu Dawud said: Yahya b. Ma'in has pronounced Mu'alla (a narrator of this tradition) as trustworthy. But Ahmad b. Hanbal would not report (traditions) from him because he exercised personal opinion.

I heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) say: When two persons go together for relieving themselves uncovering their private parts and talking together, Allah, the Great and Majestic, becomes wrathful at this (action).

Abu Dawud said: This tradition has been narrated only by 'Ikrimah b. 'Ammar.

The Prophet (saws) was asked about cleansing (after relieving oneself). He said: (One should cleanse oneself) with three stones which should be free from dung.

Abu Dawud said: A similar tradition has been narrated by Abu Usamah and Ibn Numair from Hisham.

Negus presented to the Messenger of Allah (saws) two black and simple socks. He put them on; then he performed ablution and wiped over them.

Musaddad reported this tradition from Dulham b. Salih.

Abu Dawud said: This tradition has been narrated by the people of Basrah alone.

The Prophet (saws) said: The time limit for wiping over the socks for a traveller is three days (and three nights) and for a resident it is one day and one night.

Abu Dawud said: Another version adds: Had we requested him to extend (the period of wiping), he would have extended.

Ata' said: The quilt of Aisha was stolen. She began to curse the person who had stolen it. The Prophet (saws) began to tell her: Do not lighten him.

Abu Dawud said: The meaning of the Arabic words la tasbikhi 'anhu means "do not lessen him or lighten him".

Al-Abbas asked the Prophet (saws) about paying the sadaqah (his zakat) in advance before it became due, and he gave permission to do that.

Abu Dawud said: This tradition has also been transmitted by Hushaim through a different chain of narrators. The version of Hushaim is more sound.

The Companions of the Messenger of Allah (saws) mentioned this word before him. The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: Listen, listen! Wearing old clothes is a part of faith, wearing old clothes is a part of faith.

Abu Dawud said: He is Abu Umamah b. Tha'labat al-Ansari

On his father's authority, said that his grandfather reported the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: Anyone who practises medicine when he is not known as a practitioner will be held responsible.

Abu Dawud said: This has been transmitted by al-Walid alone. We do not know whether it is sound or not.

The prophet (saws) offered the noon prayer and ascended the pulpit. Before this day he did not ascend it except on Friday. He then narrated this story. Abu Dawud said: Ibn Sudran belongs to Basrah. He was drowned in the sea along with Ibn Miswar, and no one could escape except him.

Most of the people did not act upon the verse about asking permission to enter the house. I have commanded this slave-girl of mine to ask my permission to enter.

Abu Dawud said: 'Ata also transmitted it from Ibn 'Abbas in a similar way. He commanded to act upon this.

The Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) as saying : When a dog licks a (thing contained in a) utensil you must wash it seven times, using earth (sand) for the seventh time.

Abu Dawud said : This tradition has been transmitted by another chain of narrators in which there is no mention of earth.

Al-Zuhri used to deny tanning and say: Some good can be got out of it in any condition

Abu Dawud said: Al-Auza'i, Yunus and 'Uqail did not mention tanning. al-Zubaidi, Sa'id b. 'Abd al-Aziz and Hafs b. 'Abd al-'Aziz mentioned tanning.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) was asked about lailat al-qadr and I was hearing: He said: It is during the whole of Ramadan.

Abu Dawud said: Sufyan and Shu'bah narrated this tradition from Abu Ishaq as a statement of Ibn 'Umar himself, they did not transmit it as a saying of the Prophet (saws)

The Prophet (saws) commanded to apply collyrium mixed with musk at the time of sleep. He said: A man who is fasting should abstain from it.

Abu Dawud said: Yahya b. Ma'in said to me: This tradition about the use of collyrium is munkar (i.e. contradicts the sound traditions on the subject).

"And make right guidance easy for me." The narrator did not say: "my right guidance".

Abu Dawud said: Sufyan heard eighteen traditions from 'Amr b. Murrah.

I saw the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) wearing two green garments.

[Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi].

I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, "If you find faults with Muslims, you will corrupt them."

[Abu Dawud].

The Prophet (PBUH) said, "The return from an expedition is an act as meritorious as fighting."

[Abu Dawud].

The sleeves of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH)'s Qamees reached down to his wrists.

[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Do not ride on saddles made from silk or leopard's skin."

[Abu Dawud].

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) prohibited riding a camel which eats dung, or animal or human waste.

[Abu Dawud].

The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "He who swears by Amanah (trust) is not one of us."

[Abu Dawud with authentic Isnad].

He also reported God’s messenger as saying, “The Qadariya are the Magians of this people. If they are ill, do not visit them, and if they die, do not attend their funerals." Ahmad and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Ibn Mas'ud reported God’s messenger as saying, “The one who buries her daughter alive and the one who is buried alive go to hell.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Anas said that when the Prophet wanted to relieve himself he did not raise his garment till he was near the ground. Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Darimi transmitted it.

Ubayy b. Ka'b said that “Water is necessary only when there is an emission” was a licence granted in the early days of Islam, but that afterwards it was renounced. Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Darimi transmitted it.

Qais b. ‘Asim said that when he accepted Islam the Prophet commanded him to bathe with water and lote-tree leaves. Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

Umm Salama said she never saw the Prophet fasting two consecutive months, except Sha'ban and Ramadan. Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

He reported the Prophet as saying, “Place trust in him who trusts you, but do not cheat him who cheats you.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Darimi transmitted it.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri told that when God’s Messenger swore strongly he said, “No, by Him in whose hand is the soul of Abu Qasim.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Ali told that a Jewess who was reviling the Prophet and speaking evil of him was strangled to death by a man and the Prophet allowed no payment to be made for her death. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s messenger as saying, “The supplication which gets the quickest answer is that made by one distant friend for another.” Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Uqba b. ‘Amir reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Sahib maks, meaning one who tithes people, will not enter paradise.” Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Darimi transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar said that the Prophet matted his hair with ghisl (A lotion made of marsh-mallows, or lotus leaves, or fuller’s earth, or potash with water). Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Ya'la b. Umayya reported God’s messenger as saying, “Storing up food to sell it at a high price in the sacred territory is a profanation of its sanctity.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s Messenger as saying, “Let the best among you call the adhan for you, and the Qur’an readers act as your imams.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Mu`adh b. Anas said that the Prophet forbade sitting on Friday with a cloth tied round the back and legs while the imam is preaching. Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.