There were good relations and brotherhood between this tribe of Jurm and the Ash`ariyyin. Once,
while we were sitting with Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari, there was brought to him a meal which contained
chicken meat, and there was sitting beside him, a man from the tribe of Bani Taimul-lah who looked
like one of the Mawali. Abu Musa invited the man to eat but the man said, "I have seen chicken eating
some dirty things, and I have taken an oath not to eat chicken." Abu Musa said to him, "Come along,
let me tell you something in this regard. Once I went to the Prophet (ﷺ) with a few men from Ash`ariyyin
and we asked him for mounts. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, By Allah, I will not mount you on anything; besides I
do not have anything to mount you on.' Then a few camels from the war booty were brought to the
Prophet, and he asked about us, saying, 'Where are the group of Ash`ariyyin?' So he ordered for five
fat camels to be given to us and then we set out. We said, 'What have we done? Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) took
an oath that he would not give us anything to ride and that he had nothing for us to ride, yet he
provided us with mounts. We made Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) forget his oath! By Allah, we will never be
successful.' So we returned to him and reminded him of his oath. He said, 'I have not provided you
with the mount, but Allah has done so. By Allah, I may take an oath to do something, but on finding
something else which is better, I do that which is better and make the expiation for my oath.' "
Narrated by Narrated Zahdam:
Context
This hadith recounts an incident involving Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari and a meal that included chicken. It illustrates the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) approach to oaths and his understanding of ethical conduct. Despite initially refusing to provide mounts due to an oath, he later fulfilled the need, demonstrating flexibility and the importance of prioritizing what is better.
Modern Application
In everyday life, this hadith encourages individuals to be adaptable and considerate of others' needs, even when they have made commitments. It highlights the importance of prioritizing kindness and generosity over rigid adherence to promises.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Ethics of Speech and Hospitality because it showcases the Prophet's (ﷺ) ethical considerations in speech and his generous nature in hospitality.
And to those who are Jews We prohibited every animal of uncloven hoof; and of the cattle and the sheep We prohibited to them their fat, except what adheres to their backs or the entrails or what is joined with bone. [By] that We repaid them for their injustice. And indeed, We are truthful.
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.
Allah has already forgiven the Prophet and the Muhajireen and the Ansar who followed him in the hour of difficulty after the hearts of a party of them had almost inclined [to doubt], and then He forgave them. Indeed, He was to them Kind and Merciful.
This hadith is #7269 from Sahih al-Bukhari, in the Book of Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Narrated Zahdam:.