Sahih al-Bukhari #3490
Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions
The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ السَّمَّانِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " الْخَيْلُ لِثَلاَثَةٍ لِرَجُلٍ أَجْرٌ، وَلِرَجُلٍ سِتْرٌ وَعَلَى رَجُلٍ وِزْرٌ. فَأَمَّا الَّذِي لَهُ أَجْرٌ، فَرَجُلٌ رَبَطَهَا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ، فَأَطَالَ لَهَا فِي مَرْجٍ أَوْ رَوْضَةٍ، وَمَا أَصَابَتْ فِي طِيَلِهَا مِنَ الْمَرْجِ أَوِ الرَّوْضَةِ كَانَتْ لَهُ حَسَنَاتٍ، وَلَوْ أَنَّهَا قَطَعَتْ طِيَلَهَا، فَاسْتَنَّتْ شَرَفًا أَوْ شَرَفَيْنِ، كَانَتْ أَرْوَاثُهَا حَسَنَاتٍ لَهُ، وَلَوْ أَنَّهَا مَرَّتْ بِنَهْرٍ فَشَرِبَتْ، وَلَمْ يُرِدْ أَنْ يَسْقِيَهَا، كَانَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ حَسَنَاتٍ، وَرَجُلٌ رَبَطَهَا تَغَنِّيًا وَسِتْرًا وَتَعَفُّفًا، لَمْ يَنْسَ حَقَّ اللَّهِ فِي رِقَابِهَا وَظُهُورِهَا، فَهِيَ لَهُ كَذَلِكَ سِتْرٌ. وَرَجُلٌ رَبَطَهَا فَخْرًا وَرِيَاءً، وَنِوَاءً لأَهْلِ الإِسْلاَمِ فَهْىَ وِزْرٌ. وَسُئِلَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ الْحُمُرِ فَقَالَ " مَا أُنْزِلَ عَلَىَّ فِيهَا إِلاَّ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ الْجَامِعَةُ الْفَاذَّةُ {فَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ خَيْرًا يَرَهُ * وَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِثْقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ شَرًّا يَرَهُ}
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "A horse may be kept for one of three purposes: for a man it may be a source of
reward; for another it may be a means of living; and for a third it may be a burden (a source of
committing sins). As for the one for whom it is a source of reward, he is the one who keeps his horse
for the sake of Jihad in Allah's Cause; he ties it with a long rope on a pasture or in a garden. So
whatever its rope allows it to eat, will be regarded as good rewardable deeds (for its owner). And if it
breaks off its rope and jumps over one or two hillocks, even its dung will be considered amongst his
good deeds. And if it passes by a river and drinks water from it, that will be considered as good deeds
for his benefit) even if he has had no intention of watering it. A horse is a shelter for the one who
keeps it so that he may earn his living honestly and takes it as a refuge to keep him from following
illegal ways (of gaining money), and does not forget the rights of Allah (i.e. paying the Zakat and
allowing others to use it for Allah's Sake). But a horse is a burden (and a source of committing sins for
him who keeps it out of pride and pretense and with the intention of harming the Muslims."
The Prophet (ﷺ) was asked about donkeys. He replied, "Nothing has been revealed to be concerning them
except this comprehensive Verse (which covers everything) :--'Then whosoever has done good equal
to the weight of an atom (or a small ant), Shall see it (its reward) And whosoever has done evil equal
to the weight of an atom (or a small ) ant), Shall see it (Its punishment)." (99.7-8)
Narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:
Context
The Prophet (ﷺ) discusses the different purposes for which horses may be kept, highlighting that they can be a source of reward, a means of living, or a burden. This hadith illustrates the importance of intention behind our actions and the impact of our choices on our spiritual standing.
Modern Application
In everyday life, this hadith encourages us to reflect on our intentions when engaging in various activities. Whether in our work or personal endeavors, being mindful of our motivations can lead to more meaningful and rewarding experiences.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Good Deeds and Wages and Labor because it emphasizes the significance of intention in our actions and the rewards associated with them.
Related Ayahs
سُورَةُ الأَنۡعَامِ
Al-An'aam (The Cattle)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
وَمِنَ ٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ حَمُولَةًۭ وَفَرْشًۭا ۚ كُلُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا۟ خُطُوَٰتِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۭ مُّبِينٌۭ
And of the grazing livestock are carriers [of burdens] and those [too] small. Eat of what Allah has provided for you and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy.
سُورَةُ الحَجِّ
Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
وَٱلْبُدْنَ جَعَلْنَٰهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَٰٓئِرِ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمْ فِيهَا خَيْرٌۭ ۖ فَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱسْمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهَا صَوَآفَّ ۖ فَإِذَا وَجَبَتْ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُوا۟ مِنْهَا وَأَطْعِمُوا۟ ٱلْقَانِعَ وَٱلْمُعْتَرَّ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرْنَٰهَا لَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols of Allah; for you therein is good. So mention the name of Allah upon them when lined up [for sacrifice]; and when they are [lifeless] on their sides, then eat from them and feed the needy and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful.
سُورَةُ النَّحۡلِ
An-Nahl (The Bee)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
وَٱلْخَيْلَ وَٱلْبِغَالَ وَٱلْحَمِيرَ لِتَرْكَبُوهَا وَزِينَةًۭ ۚ وَيَخْلُقُ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
And [He created] the horses, mules and donkeys for you to ride and [as] adornment. And He creates that which you do not know.
سُورَةُ الجُمُعَةِ
Al-Jumu'a (Friday)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا۟ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَحْمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ ٱلْحِمَارِ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارًۢا ۚ بِئْسَ مَثَلُ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ
The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah and then did not take it on is like that of a donkey who carries volumes [of books]. Wretched is the example of the people who deny the signs of Allah. And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.
سُورَةُ لُقۡمَانَ
Luqman (Luqman)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
وَٱقْصِدْ فِى مَشْيِكَ وَٱغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ ۚ إِنَّ أَنكَرَ ٱلْأَصْوَٰتِ لَصَوْتُ ٱلْحَمِيرِ
And be moderate in your pace and lower your voice; indeed, the most disagreeable of sounds is the voice of donkeys."
Common Words
86 total75 unique7 repeated
ٱلله4x
لكم4x
من2x
لا2x
مثل2x
ٱلذين2x
ٱلقوم2x
ومن1x
ٱلأنعم1x
حمولة1x
وفرشا1x
كلوا1x
مما1x
رزقكم1x
ولا1x
تتبعوا1x
خطوت1x
ٱلشيطن1x
إنه1x
عدو1x
Related Hadiths
About Sahih al-Bukhari
This hadith is #3490 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Abu Huraira:.