Friday, August 1, 2025

Mohammedan horses

OK so we know the names of various persons associated with the prophet Muhammad such as wives, followers, etc; do we know of any named horses?

Yes, several horses associated with the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ are mentioned by name in Islamic historical sources. These names appear in hadith collections, sīrah (biographies), and traditional literature. Here are the most well-known horses attributed to the Prophet:

1. Al-Burāq

  • Not a horse in the conventional sense, but a heavenly steed.
  • Used during the Isrāʾ and Miʿrāj (Night Journey and Ascension).
  • Described as a white beast, larger than a donkey but smaller than a mule, with wings.
  • Though not a horse per se, it's the most famous riding animal associated with the Prophet.

2. Sakb (سَكْب)

  • Possibly the most frequently mentioned actual horse of the Prophet.
  • Described as fast and agile, used in various battles.

3. Murtajiz (مُرْتَجِز)

  • Named for the sound it made — “rajz” refers to a rhythmic sound or neigh.
  • Reported to be a gift from al-Muqawqis, the ruler of Egypt.

4. Lahif (لاحق)

  • A lesser-known horse, meaning “swift” or “overtaking.”

5. Lizaz (لِزَاز)

  • Said to have been a gift from the Roman Emperor.

6. Ward (وَرْد)

  • Meaning “rose” or “flower,” though possibly referring to its color.

7. Ya’fur (يعفور)

  • Often mistakenly referred to as a donkey, not a horse. A famous story involves the Prophet having a donkey by this name that spoke to him.

A Note on Authenticity:

The historical reliability of some of these names varies. Sakb and Murtajiz are more frequently referenced in hadith and biographies with higher authenticity. Others like Lizaz and Ward appear in later literature and may have weaker chains of transmission.

Would you like a breakdown of which sources mention each horse?

Yes please

Here are the most frequently mentioned named horses (and other riding animals) associated with the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ—along with what our sources say about them:


🐎 Named Horses of the Prophet

1. al‑Sakb (السكب)

  • One of his earliest and most famous horses, meaning “The Flowing One” or “Swift,” named for its speed (Scribd, TikTok).
  • It was reportedly the first horse he rode after arriving in Medina and he used it during the Battle of Uhud (Scribd).

2. al‑Murtajiz (مرتجز)

  • Translating as “The Neigher,” named after its distinctive neigh (TikTok).
  • Gifted by al‑Muqawqis, the Byzantine governor of Egypt (Scribd).

3. al‑Lizāz (Lizaz / Lazaz)

  • Often listed among the presents from al‑Muqawqis (Scribd).

4. al‑Luhayf (also Luhaif / Laḥīf)

  • Meaning “the one that drags” or “swift,” so named for its gait or carrying ability (Facebook).
  • Also noted among gifts conveyed by supporters such as Farwah ibn ‘Amr al‑Judhami (Scribd).

5. al‑Ward (الورد)

  • Meaning “rose,” this horse was reportedly given by Tamīm al‑Dārī but later passed on to ʿUmar ibn al‑Khaṭṭāb, who rode it in God’s cause (Scribd).

6. al‑Zārib (or al‑Zarīb)

  • Mentioned in lists alongside Lizāz and Luhaif as among horses offered to the Prophet by companions or benefactors (Scribd).

7. al‑Yaʽsub (الْيَعسُوب)

  • Some sources indicate it may have belonged to him, though details are scarce (Scribd).

🐪 Other Named Mounts

  • Yāʽfūr (يَعفُور): A donkey, not a horse, famously gifted by al‑Muqawqis. Islamic tradition includes miraculous stories about it speaking to the Prophet—though hadith scholars generally regard these as weak or inauthentic (Wikipedia).
  • Duldul: A mule gifted alongside Yāʽfūr. Though not a horse, it is often mentioned among his mounts (Scribd).

🧾 Summary Table

Name Animal Type Meaning / Notes Source Notes
al‑Sakb Horse “Swift, like running water” Frequently first horse in Medina, Uhud ride (Scribd)
al‑Murtajiz Horse “The Neigher” Gift from al‑Muqawqis (Scribd, TikTok)
al‑Lizāz Horse Gifted to him Also from al‑Muqawqis (Scribd)
al‑Luhayf Horse "Swift / dragging" Carried him; gift from companions (Scribd, Facebook)
al‑Ward Horse “Rose” Gifted then passed to ʿUmar (Scribd)
al‑Zārib Horse Mentioned among gifts (Scribd)
al‑Yaʽsub Horse? Possibly another mount; little detail Rarely attested (Scribd)
Yāʽfūr Donkey Speaking donkey; gift from al‑Muqawqis Treated separately (Wikipedia)
Duldul Mule Well-known mule; gift from same source Often counted among his beasts (Scribd, Wikipedia)

📜 On Authenticity & Source Quality

  • The names al‑Sakb and al‑Murtajiz are more reliably attested in early sīra (biographies) and hadith-related literature.
  • Others like Lizāz, al‑Ward, and al‑Yaʽsub are mentioned in later or less detailed narrations, often in compilations discussing his gifts and belongings.
  • The legendary donkey Yāʽfūr and mule Duldul appear prominently in folklore and literary traditions, but scholars often consider their miraculous aspects weak or symbolic.

✅ Final Thoughts

Yes—Islamic historical sources do record several named horses belonging to the Prophet ﷺ, with the most commonly cited being al‑Sakb and al‑Murtajiz. Several others appear in traditional companion lists of gifts and mounts. If you'd like, I can dig deeper into the original biographies (like Ibn Hishām, al‑Ṭabarī, or Ibn Isḥāq) or the isnād chains for a particular horse. Let me know!

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