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 2280 in the Book of Distribution of Water.

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

Hadith numbering varies across editions and translations (USC-MSA, Dar as-Salam, Fath al-Bari, and others). If you followed a link citing a different number but landed here, you may have been redirected to the canonical version in our library. If you were looking for a different hadith entirely, use the search bar to find it by text.

‹

#2279

#2280

Sahih al-Bukhari

#2281

›

Sahih al-Bukhari #2280

Q: What is Sahih al-Bukhari 2280 about?

This hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (Book of Distribution of Water), narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:, states: "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "No doubt, you had better gather a bundle of wood and carry it on your back (and earn your living thereby) rather than ask somebody who may give you or not.""

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 يَحْيَى بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ عُقَيْلٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ أَبِي عُبَيْدٍ، مَوْلَى عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَوْفٍ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ لأَنْ يَحْتَطِبَ أَحَدُكُمْ حُزْمَةً عَلَى ظَهْرِهِ خَيْرٌ لَهُ مِنْ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ أَحَدًا فَيُعْطِيَهُ أَوْ يَمْنَعَهُ ‏"‏‏.‏

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "No doubt, you had better gather a bundle of wood and carry it on your back (and earn your living thereby) rather than ask somebody who may give you or not."

Narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:

Context

This hadith emphasizes the value of self-sufficiency and hard work. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ advises that it is better to gather wood and earn a living than to rely on others for help. This teaching encourages individuals to take initiative and be proactive in their efforts.

Modern Application

In contemporary life, this principle can be applied to the importance of earning a lawful income through hard work. It encourages individuals to seek out opportunities for self-sufficiency rather than depending solely on others.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Wages and Labor because it highlights the significance of earning one's livelihood through honest work.

Wages and Labor

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ التَّوۡبَةِ

At-Tawba (The Repentance)

1 ayah

ٱنفِرُوا۟ خِفَافًۭا وَثِقَالًۭا وَجَٰهِدُوا۟ بِأَمْوَٰلِكُمْ وَأَنفُسِكُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

Go forth, whether light or heavy, and strive with your wealth and your lives in the cause of Allah. That is better for you, if you only knew.

سُورَةُ المُؤۡمِنُونَ

Al-Muminoon (The Believers)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

أَمْ تَسْـَٔلُهُمْ خَرْجًۭا فَخَرَاجُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌۭ ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ

Or do you, [O Muhammad], ask them for payment? But the reward of your Lord is best, and He is the best of providers.

سُورَةُ الشُّورَىٰ

Ash-Shura (Consultation)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

ذَٰلِكَ ٱلَّذِى يُبَشِّرُ ٱللَّهُ عِبَادَهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ ۗ قُل لَّآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلَّا ٱلْمَوَدَّةَ فِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ ۗ وَمَن يَقْتَرِفْ حَسَنَةًۭ نَّزِدْ لَهُۥ فِيهَا حُسْنًا ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ شَكُورٌ

It is that of which Allah gives good tidings to His servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say, [O Muhammad], "I do not ask you for this message any payment [but] only good will through kinship." And whoever commits a good deed - We will increase for him good therein. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Appreciative.

سُورَةُ الأَنۡعَامِ

Al-An'aam (The Cattle)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

قُلْ أَغَيْرَ ٱللَّهِ أَبْغِى رَبًّۭا وَهُوَ رَبُّ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ ۚ وَلَا تَكْسِبُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ إِلَّا عَلَيْهَا ۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌۭ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُم مَّرْجِعُكُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ

Say, "Is it other than Allah I should desire as a lord while He is the Lord of all things? And every soul earns not [blame] except against itself, and no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you concerning that over which you used to differ."

سُورَةُ الأَنفَالِ

Al-Anfaal (The Spoils of War)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْأَنفَالِ ۖ قُلِ ٱلْأَنفَالُ لِلَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ ۖ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَصْلِحُوا۟ ذَاتَ بَيْنِكُمْ ۖ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥٓ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ

They ask you, [O Muhammad], about the bounties [of war]. Say, "The [decision concerning] bounties is for Allah and the Messenger." So fear Allah and amend that which is between you and obey Allah and His Messenger, if you should be believers.

Common Words

104 total84 unique11 repeated

ٱلله7x

خير3x

إن3x

كنتم3x

قل3x

فى2x

وهو2x

إلا2x

كل2x

ولا2x

ٱلأنفال2x

ٱنفروا1x

خفافا1x

وثقالا1x

وجهدوا1x

بأمولكم1x

وأنفسكم1x

سبيل1x

ذلكم1x

لكم1x

Scroll to explore ayah details

Related Hadiths

About Sahih al-Bukhari

This hadith is #2280 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Distribution of Water. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:.

Browse all Sahih al-Bukhari All Hadith Collections

Sahih al-Bukhari #2280

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

Related Hadiths

About Sahih al-Bukhari

About This Hadith