What is Sahih Muslim 4143 about?

This hadith from Sahih Muslim (Book of The Book of Oaths), narrated by Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:, states: "He who took an oath and (later on) found another thing better than that, he should do that which is better, and expiate for the vow (broken by him)."

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 Muslim, which contains 7,459 hadiths across 57 books. It is hadith number 4143 in the Book of The Book of Oaths.

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.

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#4142

#4143

Sahih Muslim

#4144

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Sahih Muslim #4143

The Book of Oaths

Sahih

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

وَحَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي أُوَيْسٍ، حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ الْمُطَّلِبِ، عَنْ سُهَيْلِ بْنِ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مَنْ حَلَفَ عَلَى يَمِينٍ فَرَأَى غَيْرَهَا خَيْرًا مِنْهَا فَلْيَأْتِ الَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ وَلْيُكَفِّرْ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

He who took an oath and (later on) found another thing better than that, he should do that which is better, and expiate for the vow (broken by him).

Narrated by Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasizes the importance of fulfilling oaths while also recognizing that circumstances can change. If someone realizes that a different course of action is better than what they initially vowed, they are encouraged to follow the better option and make amends for their broken oath. This teaches us about flexibility and ethical decision-making in our commitments.

Modern Application

In daily life, this principle can be seen when individuals reassess their commitments or promises in light of new information or circumstances. For instance, if someone promised to attend an event but later finds a more beneficial opportunity, they should prioritize the better option while ensuring they communicate and apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Ethics of Speech and Oaths and Vows because it addresses the ethical considerations surrounding promises and the importance of choosing the better action when possible.

Ethics of Speech Oaths and Vows

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ المَائـِدَةِ

Al-Maaida (The Table)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

2 ayahs

لَا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِٱللَّغْوِ فِىٓ أَيْمَٰنِكُمْ وَلَٰكِن يُؤَاخِذُكُم بِمَا عَقَّدتُّمُ ٱلْأَيْمَٰنَ ۖ فَكَفَّٰرَتُهُۥٓ إِطْعَامُ عَشَرَةِ مَسَٰكِينَ مِنْ أَوْسَطِ مَا تُطْعِمُونَ أَهْلِيكُمْ أَوْ كِسْوَتُهُمْ أَوْ تَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍۢ ۖ فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ ثَلَٰثَةِ أَيَّامٍۢ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ كَفَّٰرَةُ أَيْمَٰنِكُمْ إِذَا حَلَفْتُمْ ۚ وَٱحْفَظُوٓا۟ أَيْمَٰنَكُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

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.

فَإِنْ عُثِرَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنَّهُمَا ٱسْتَحَقَّآ إِثْمًۭا فَـَٔاخَرَانِ يَقُومَانِ مَقَامَهُمَا مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَحَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْأَوْلَيَٰنِ فَيُقْسِمَانِ بِٱللَّهِ لَشَهَٰدَتُنَآ أَحَقُّ مِن شَهَٰدَتِهِمَا وَمَا ٱعْتَدَيْنَآ إِنَّآ إِذًۭا لَّمِنَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ

But if it is found that those two were guilty of perjury, let two others stand in their place [who are] foremost [in claim] from those who have a lawful right. And let them swear by Allah, "Our testimony is truer than their testimony, and we have not transgressed. Indeed, we would then be of the wrongdoers."

سُورَةُ النَّمۡلِ

An-Naml (The Ant)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

إِلَّا مَن ظَلَمَ ثُمَّ بَدَّلَ حُسْنًۢا بَعْدَ سُوٓءٍۢ فَإِنِّى غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ

Otherwise, he who wrongs, then substitutes good after evil - indeed, I am Forgiving and Merciful.

سُورَةُ النَّحۡلِ

An-Nahl (The Bee)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَأَوْفُوا۟ بِعَهْدِ ٱللَّهِ إِذَا عَٰهَدتُّمْ وَلَا تَنقُضُوا۟ ٱلْأَيْمَٰنَ بَعْدَ تَوْكِيدِهَا وَقَدْ جَعَلْتُمُ ٱللَّهَ عَلَيْكُمْ كَفِيلًا ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَفْعَلُونَ

And fulfill the covenant of Allah when you have taken it, [O believers], and do not break oaths after their confirmation while you have made Allah, over you, a witness. Indeed, Allah knows what you do.

سُورَةُ الفَتۡحِ

Al-Fath (The Victory)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُبَايِعُونَكَ إِنَّمَا يُبَايِعُونَ ٱللَّهَ يَدُ ٱللَّهِ فَوْقَ أَيْدِيهِمْ ۚ فَمَن نَّكَثَ فَإِنَّمَا يَنكُثُ عَلَىٰ نَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَنْ أَوْفَىٰ بِمَا عَٰهَدَ عَلَيْهُ ٱللَّهَ فَسَيُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًۭا

Indeed, those who pledge allegiance to you, [O Muhammad] - they are actually pledging allegiance to Allah. The hand of Allah is over their hands. So he who breaks his word only breaks it to the detriment of himself. And he who fulfills that which he has promised Allah - He will give him a great reward.

Common Words

127 total103 unique14 repeated

ٱلله8x

من4x

أيمنكم3x

إذا3x

يؤاخذكم2x

بما2x

ٱلأيمن2x

ما2x

أو2x

فمن2x

على2x

ٱلذين2x

بعد2x

إن2x

لا1x

بٱللغو1x

فى1x

ولكن1x

عقدتم1x

فكفرته1x

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About Sahih Muslim

This hadith is #4143 from Sahih Muslim, in the Book of The Book of Oaths. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:.

Browse all Sahih Muslim All Hadith Collections

Sahih Muslim #4143

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

Related Hadiths

About Sahih Muslim

About This Hadith