The story of Suraqah ibn Malik and the bracelets of Khosrow is one of the well-known accounts connected to the Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Makkah to Madinah.
The story describes a remarkable prophecy attributed to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, concerning Suraqah wearing the bracelets of Khosrow, the Persian emperor.
A key question, however, is whether this report is found in the authentic collections and what its actual sources are.
Is the Story of Suraqah and Khosrow’s Bracelets in Sahih Bukhari or Sahih Muslim?
The report about Umar ibn al-Khattab putting Khosrow’s bracelets on Suraqah is not narrated in Sahih Bukhari or Sahih Muslim in this form.
It is reported by Imam al-Bayhaqi in Dala’il al-Nubuwwah, and later scholars, including Ibn Kathir and Ibn Hajar, discussed the report.
The specific report transmitted by al-Bayhaqi comes through al-Hasan al-Basri, making it a mursal report rather than a directly connected narration.
What Happened When Umar Gave Suraqah the Bracelets?
According to the report cited by al-Bayhaqi, Khosrow’s possessions were brought before Umar ibn al-Khattab.
Suraqah ibn Malik was among those present.
Umar then gave Suraqah the two bracelets of Khosrow ibn Hormuz and placed them on his arms. The report states that they reached up toward his shoulders.
Umar then praised Allah after seeing the bracelets on Suraqah, an Arab from the tribe of Banu Mudlij.
This account is presented by scholars as the fulfillment of the prophetic statement attributed to the Prophet regarding Suraqah and Khosrow’s bracelets.
Did the Prophet Promise Suraqah That He Would Wear Khosrow’s Bracelets?
A report attributed to al-Hasan al-Basri states that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said to Suraqah:
“How will you be when you wear the bracelets of Khosrow?”
Ibn Hajar mentioned this report in Al-Isabah fi Tamyiz al-Sahabah, and also related the account of Umar later giving Suraqah the bracelets.
However, the report is transmitted from al-Hasan al-Basri as a mursal narration, meaning that the Companion between al-Hasan and the Prophet or the event is not named.
What Did Imam al-Shafi‘i Say About the Story?
Imam al-Shafi‘i also referred to the incident in Al-Umm.
He explained that Suraqah was given the bracelets because the Prophet had previously looked at Suraqah’s arms and said, according to the report:
“It is as though I see you wearing the bracelets of Khosrow.”
Thus, the story became associated with the signs and prophecies mentioned in accounts of the Prophet’s life.
Did Umar Also Give Suraqah Khosrow’s Belt and Crown?
The reports mention that when Umar received Khosrow’s bracelets, belt, and crown, he called Suraqah.
However, the specific account of Umar’s action states that he put the two bracelets on Suraqah.
Therefore, it is important to distinguish between the items mentioned as part of Khosrow’s possessions and the items that the report explicitly says Suraqah wore.
What Is the Main Source of the Story?
The most important source for the account of Umar putting the bracelets on Suraqah is:
Dala’il al-Nubuwwah by al-Bayhaqi
Al-Bayhaqi included the report in his Dala’il al-Nubuwwah, a work dedicated to reports concerning the life and signs associated with the Prophet Muhammad. The relevant report is also cited in later scholarly works.
Al-Isabah by Ibn Hajar
Ibn Hajar mentioned the report concerning the Prophet’s statement to Suraqah and the later incident involving Umar and the bracelets.
Al-Bidayah wa al-Nihayah by Ibn Kathir
Ibn Kathir also referred to the report that Umar dressed Suraqah with items associated with Khosrow.
Al-Umm by Imam al-Shafi‘i
Imam al-Shafi‘i cited the prophetic statement concerning Suraqah and the bracelets when discussing why Umar gave them to him.
Is the Story Authentic?
The scholarly discussion requires an important distinction.
The report about the Prophet’s statement concerning Suraqah and the bracelets is transmitted through al-Hasan al-Basri in a mursal form. It is therefore not a connected hadith in the form found in the major authentic collections.
Likewise, the report about Umar putting the bracelets on Suraqah is transmitted through a chain that includes the mursal narration of al-Hasan.
Therefore, it is more accurate to say that the story is reported in historical and prophetic-biography sources, rather than claiming that it is an authenticated hadith in Sahih Bukhari or Sahih Muslim.
The Significance of the Story
The story became famous because it describes an extraordinary contrast: Suraqah was an Arab from Banu Mudlij, while Khosrow was the powerful Persian emperor.
The reported prophecy that Suraqah would wear Khosrow’s bracelets therefore carried a striking meaning concerning the future victory and expansion of the Muslim community.
When the Persian treasures reached the Muslims during Umar’s caliphate, the reported presentation of the bracelets to Suraqah became associated with the fulfillment of that prophetic prediction.
Conclusion
The story of Suraqah ibn Malik wearing Khosrow’s bracelets is not narrated in Sahih Bukhari or Sahih Muslim in this form.
Its best-known source is al-Bayhaqi’s Dala’il al-Nubuwwah, while Ibn Hajar, Ibn Kathir, and Imam al-Shafi‘i also discussed or cited aspects of the account.
The report concerning the Prophet’s promise and the account of Umar putting the bracelets on Suraqah are transmitted through al-Hasan al-Basri in mursal form, so the chain is not fully connected.
As for Khosrow’s belt and crown, they are mentioned among the possessions brought to Umar, but the specific report clearly describes Umar putting the two bracelets on Suraqah.
Is the story of Suraqah and Khosrow’s bracelets in Sahih Bukhari?
No. The story of Umar putting Khosrow’s bracelets on Suraqah is not narrated in Sahih Bukhari in this form.
Where is the story of Suraqah’s bracelets narrated?
It is reported by al-Bayhaqi in Dala’il al-Nubuwwah and discussed by later scholars such as Ibn Hajar, Ibn Kathir, and al-Shafi‘i.
Did the Prophet promise Suraqah that he would wear Khosrow’s bracelets?
A report attributed to al-Hasan al-Basri says that the Prophet made this statement. The report is transmitted as mursal.
Did Umar put Khosrow’s bracelets on Suraqah?
Yes, this is what the report transmitted by al-Bayhaqi states.
Did Suraqah also wear Khosrow’s crown and belt?
The reports mention Khosrow’s crown and belt among the possessions brought to Umar, but the specific narration clearly states that Umar put the two bracelets on Suraqah.
