The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا بِشْرُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي وَائِلٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مَنْ حَلَفَ عَلَى يَمِينٍ كَاذِبًا لِيَقْتَطِعَ مَالَ رَجُلٍ ـ أَوْ قَالَ أَخِيهِ ـ لَقِيَ اللَّهَ وَهْوَ عَلَيْهِ غَضْبَانُ ". وَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ تَصْدِيقَ ذَلِكَ فِي الْقُرْآنِ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَشْتَرُونَ بِعَهْدِ اللَّهِ وَأَيْمَانِهِمْ ثَمَنًا قَلِيلاً} الآيَةَ. فَلَقِيَنِي الأَشْعَثُ فَقَالَ مَا حَدَّثَكُمْ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ الْيَوْمَ، قُلْتُ كَذَا وَكَذَا. قَالَ فِيَّ أُنْزِلَتْ.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever takes a false oath in order to grab another man's (or his brother's)
property, then Allah will be angry with him when he will meet him." Then Allah confirmed this by
revealing the Divine Verse: "Verily! Those who purchase a little gain at the cost of Allah's Covenant
and their oaths . . . Will get painful punishment." (3.77) Al-Ash'ath met me and asked, "What did
`Abdullah tell you today?" I said, "So and so." He said, "The Verse was revealed regarding my case."
Narrated by Narrated Abu Wail from `Abdullah:
Context
In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) warns against the grave sin of taking a false oath to unjustly acquire someone else's property. The seriousness of this act is underscored by the fact that Allah will be angry with those who commit such an injustice. The hadith also references a specific incident where a verse from the Quran was revealed in relation to this matter, emphasizing the importance of honesty and integrity in dealings.
Modern Application
In today's world, this hadith serves as a reminder to uphold honesty in all transactions. Whether in business or personal matters, taking a false oath or lying to gain an advantage can lead to serious consequences, both in this life and the hereafter. Integrity should be a guiding principle in our interactions with others.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Divine Justice and Oaths and Vows because it highlights the consequences of dishonesty and the importance of truthful oaths in maintaining justice.
And do not take your oaths as [means of] deceit between you, lest a foot slip after it was [once] firm, and you would taste evil [in this world] for what [people] you diverted from the way of Allah, and you would have [in the Hereafter] a great punishment.
Allah will not impose blame upon you for what is meaningless in your oaths, but He will impose blame upon you for [breaking] what you intended of oaths. So its expiation is the feeding of ten needy people from the average of that which you feed your [own] families or clothing them or the freeing of a slave. But whoever cannot find [or afford it] - then a fast of three days [is required]. That is the expiation for oaths when you have sworn. But guard your oaths. Thus does Allah make clear to you His verses that you may be grateful.
And [mention, O Muhammad], when Allah took a covenant from those who were given the Scripture, [saying], "You must make it clear to the people and not conceal it." But they threw it away behind their backs and exchanged it for a small price. And wretched is that which they purchased.
