Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Sahih. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sahih al-Bukhari, which contains 7,277 hadiths across 97 books. It is hadith number 1379 in the Book of Obligatory Charity Tax (Zakat).

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#1378

#1379

Sahih al-Bukhari

#1380

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Sahih al-Bukhari #1379

Q: What is Sahih al-Bukhari 1379 about?

This hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Obligatory Charity Tax (Zakat)), narrated by Narrated Hakim bin Hizam:, states: "The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The upper hand is better than the lower hand (i.e. he who gives in charity is better than him who takes it). One should start giving first to his dependents. And the best objec…"

Obligatory Charity Tax (Zakat)

Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبٌ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ حَكِيمِ بْنِ حِزَامٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ الْيَدُ الْعُلْيَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْيَدِ السُّفْلَى، وَابْدَأْ بِمَنْ تَعُولُ، وَخَيْرُ الصَّدَقَةِ عَنْ ظَهْرِ غِنًى، وَمَنْ يَسْتَعْفِفْ يُعِفَّهُ اللَّهُ، وَمَنْ يَسْتَغْنِ يُغْنِهِ اللَّهُ ‏"‏‏.‏ وَعَنْ وُهَيْبٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا هِشَامٌ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ بِهَذَا‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The upper hand is better than the lower hand (i.e. he who gives in charity is better than him who takes it). One should start giving first to his dependents. And the best object of charity is that which is given by a wealthy person (from the money which is left after his expenses). And whoever abstains from asking others for some financial help, Allah will give him and save him from asking others, Allah will make him self-sufficient."

Narrated by Narrated Hakim bin Hizam:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasizes the virtue of giving charity, stating that the upper hand (the giver) is better than the lower hand (the receiver). He advises starting with those one is responsible for and highlights the importance of giving from one's surplus wealth. This teaching underscores the values of generosity, responsibility, and self-sufficiency in the community.

Modern Application

In contemporary society, this principle encourages individuals to prioritize supporting their families and communities through charitable acts. It inspires a culture of giving, where people are reminded to share their resources and help those in need, fostering a sense of community and support.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Charity and Wages and Labor because it promotes the act of giving and emphasizes the importance of financial responsibility towards dependents.

Charity Wages and Labor

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ

Al-Baqara (The Cow)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

2 ayahs

لِلْفُقَرَآءِ ٱلَّذِينَ أُحْصِرُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ ضَرْبًۭا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَحْسَبُهُمُ ٱلْجَاهِلُ أَغْنِيَآءَ مِنَ ٱلتَّعَفُّفِ تَعْرِفُهُم بِسِيمَٰهُمْ لَا يَسْـَٔلُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ إِلْحَافًۭا ۗ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍۢ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌ

[Charity is] for the poor who have been restricted for the cause of Allah, unable to move about in the land. An ignorant [person] would think them self-sufficient because of their restraint, but you will know them by their [characteristic] sign. They do not ask people persistently [or at all]. And whatever you spend of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.

وَإِن كَانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍۢ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلَىٰ مَيْسَرَةٍۢ ۚ وَأَن تَصَدَّقُوا۟ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

And if someone is in hardship, then [let there be] postponement until [a time of] ease. But if you give [from your right as] charity, then it is better for you, if you only knew.

سُورَةُ الطَّلَاقِ

At-Talaaq (Divorce)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

لِيُنفِقْ ذُو سَعَةٍۢ مِّن سَعَتِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن قُدِرَ عَلَيْهِ رِزْقُهُۥ فَلْيُنفِقْ مِمَّآ ءَاتَىٰهُ ٱللَّهُ ۚ لَا يُكَلِّفُ ٱللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا مَآ ءَاتَىٰهَا ۚ سَيَجْعَلُ ٱللَّهُ بَعْدَ عُسْرٍۢ يُسْرًۭا

Let a man of wealth spend from his wealth, and he whose provision is restricted - let him spend from what Allah has given him. Allah does not charge a soul except [according to] what He has given it. Allah will bring about, after hardship, ease.

سُورَةُ الرُّومِ

Ar-Room (The Romans)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

فَـَٔاتِ ذَا ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُۥ وَٱلْمِسْكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌۭ لِّلَّذِينَ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَ ٱللَّهِ ۖ وَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ

So give the relative his right, as well as the needy and the traveler. That is best for those who desire the countenance of Allah, and it is they who will be the successful.

سُورَةُ اللَّيۡلِ

Al-Lail (The Night)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

ٱلَّذِى يُؤْتِى مَالَهُۥ يَتَزَكَّىٰ

[He] who gives [from] his wealth to purify himself

Common Words

89 total76 unique6 repeated

ٱلله6x

لا3x

من3x

خير3x

فى2x

ذو2x

للفقراء1x

ٱلذين1x

أحصروا1x

سبيل1x

يستطيعون1x

ضربا1x

ٱلأرض1x

يحسبهم1x

ٱلجاهل1x

أغنياء1x

ٱلتعفف1x

تعرفهم1x

بسيمهم1x

يسـلون1x

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About Sahih al-Bukhari

This hadith is #1379 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Obligatory Charity Tax (Zakat). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Hakim bin Hizam:.

Browse all Sahih al-Bukhari All Hadith Collections

Sahih al-Bukhari #1379

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

Related Hadiths

About Sahih al-Bukhari

About This Hadith