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 2279 in the Book of Distribution of Water.

I searched for a different number — is this the right hadith?

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#2278

#2279

Sahih al-Bukhari

#2280

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Sahih al-Bukhari #2279

Q: What is Sahih al-Bukhari 2279 about?

This hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Distribution of Water), narrated by Narrated Az-Zubair bin Al 'Awwam:, states: "The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "No doubt, one had better take a rope (and cut) and tie a bundle of wood and sell it whereby Allah will keep his face away (from Hell-fire) rather than ask others who may give h…"

Distribution of Water

Sahih

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

حَدَّثَنَا مُعَلَّى بْنُ أَسَدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبٌ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ الزُّبَيْرِ بْنِ الْعَوَّامِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ لأَنْ يَأْخُذَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَحْبُلاً، فَيَأْخُذَ حُزْمَةً مِنْ حَطَبٍ فَيَبِيعَ، فَيَكُفَّ اللَّهُ بِهِ وَجْهَهُ، خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ النَّاسَ أُعْطِيَ أَمْ مُنِعَ ‏"‏‏.‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "No doubt, one had better take a rope (and cut) and tie a bundle of wood and sell it whereby Allah will keep his face away (from Hell-fire) rather than ask others who may give him or not."

Narrated by Narrated Az-Zubair bin Al 'Awwam:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) teaches the value of self-reliance and hard work over dependence on others. He illustrates that earning a living through honest labor, even if it involves physical effort, is far better than asking for charity. This guidance promotes dignity and self-sufficiency among individuals.

Modern Application

Today, this principle can inspire individuals to seek lawful means of income rather than relying on others for financial support. It encourages a culture of hard work and integrity in trade, fostering a sense of independence and self-worth.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Charity and Wages and Labor because it emphasizes the importance of earning a living through honest work and the dignity that comes from self-sufficiency.

Charity Wages and Labor