Hadith on the Importance of Archery

There are a number of hadith relating to the importance of archery in the Islamic tradition. We know that the Prophet ﷺ used to own several bows and placed a strong emphasis on archery as narrated in a number of hadith.

Bows Used by the Prophet ﷺ

Some of the bows used by the Prophet of Allah ﷺ are as follows:

  • Al-Zawraa’ (الزوراء)
  • Ar-Rawhaa’ (الروحاء) – the sweet smelling
  • Al-Safraa’ (الصفراء) – the yellow one
  • Al-Baydaa’ (البيضاء) – the white one
  • Al-Katoom (الكتوم) – the silent
  • As-Sadaad (السداد) – straightness
  • Al-Shadaad (الشداد)

Selected Hadith on the Benefits of Archery


  • Sahih Muslim:
    “Prepare to meet them with as much strength as you can afford. Verily, strength lies in archery. Verily, strength lies in archery. Verily, strength lies in archery.”

  • Abu al-Shaikh and Ibn Dunya:
    “Learn the casting of arrows, and do not be averse to it, for the area between the two targets holds a garden of the gardens of paradise.”

  • Al-Daylami:
    “Learn the casting of arrows and the Quran.”

  • Abu Da’ud and others:
    “Verily, with one arrow Allah Almighty will admit three individuals into paradise: the maker of the arrows who fashions it with good intent; the archer who shoots this arrow; and the person who gathers it up (after it has been cast).”

  • An-Nasai and al-Bayhaqi:
    “Everything that is done without the remembrance of Allah (dhikrullah) is vain distraction and idle play, but for these four accomplishments: a man walking between the two points of the archery ground, training his horse, learning how to swim, and jesting with his family.”

  • Ad-Daylami:
    “What an excellent diversion for a man is the casting of arrows; and whoever leaves archery after having learnt it, he has rejected a gift of grace.”

  • Al-Tabrani:
    “Everyone who walks between the two points of the archery field will have merited the reward for a good deed for every step he takes.”

  • Ibn Abi ad-Dunya:
    “The Holy Prophet ﷺ liked shooting arrows between the two targets, and he used to run along with his Companions.”

  • Al-Tabarani (Al-Saghir):
    “There is no harm for any of you to take up your bow when you are overtaken by care, and thereby do away with your worries.”

And Allah knows best.