Hadith On The Nameless Spy

The nameless man was killed because of the evidence we have from sources. He was not innocent. The Makkans persecuted the Muslim community for many years and now a spy appeared trying to collect information so he can give back to the enemy and they used that information to attack the Muslims.

Narrated Salama bin Al-Akwa: “An infidel spy came to the Prophet while he was on a journey. The spy sat with the companions of the Prophet and started talking and then went away. The Prophet said (to his companions), ‘Chase and kill him.’ So, I killed him.” The Prophet then gave him the belongings of the killed spy (in addition to his share of the war booty). – (Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 286)

And

Ibn Salamah bin Al Akwa’ repoted on the authority of his father. A spy of the polytheists came to the Prophet when he was on a journey. He sat near his Companions and then slipped away. The Prophet said “look for him and kill him”. He said “I raced to him and killed him. I took his belongings which he (the Prophet) gave me. – (Sunan Abi Dawud Book 14, Hadith 2647)