Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) set out in the year of Hudaybiyah intending to perform ‘Umrah. Before he arrived at the designated place of Ihrām for the inhabitants of Madīnah, which is Dhu al-Hulayfah, he was informed that an enemy was coming from the direction of the sea-shore intending to fight him. So, he commanded a group of his Companions – among whom was Abu Qatādah – to take the right direction on the sea-shore route in order to avert them. They proceeded toward that direction. When they departed to meet up with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) at his appointed time, they all entered in the state of Ihrām except Abu Qatādah. While they were walking they saw a group of onagers, and they hoped inside themselves that Abu Qatādah would see them since he was not in a state of Ihrām (he could hunt). When he saw them, he chased them and wounded a she-onager. So, they all ate from its meat. Then they felt some doubt concerning the permissibility of their eating from it, while they were in a state of Ihrām. So they carried what was left of its meat until they caught up with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and asked him about it. He asked them if anyone of them ordered Abu Qatādah or helped him by pointing or hinting at it. They replied that nothing of the sort happened. So he assured their hearts by telling them that it was lawful for them, and ordered them to eat what was left thereof. He also ate from it, in order to give comfort to their hearts.