What is Sahih Muslim 4589 about?

This hadith from Sahih Muslim (Book of The Book on Government), narrated by It has been reported on the authority of Abu Dharr that the Messenger of of Allah (ﷺ) said:, states: "Abu Dharr, I find that thou art weak and I like for thee what I like for myself. Do not rule over (even) two persons and do not manage the property of an orphan."

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 4589 in the Book of The Book on Government.

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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#4588

#4589

Sahih Muslim

#4590

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Sahih Muslim #4589

The Book on Government

Sahih

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

حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، وَإِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، كِلاَهُمَا عَنِ الْمُقْرِئِ، قَالَ زُهَيْرٌ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يَزِيدَ، حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ الْقُرَشِيِّ، عَنْ سَالِمِ، بْنِ أَبِي سَالِمٍ الْجَيْشَانِيِّ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ يَا أَبَا ذَرٍّ إِنِّي أَرَاكَ ضَعِيفًا وَإِنِّي أُحِبُّ لَكَ مَا أُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِي لاَ تَأَمَّرَنَّ عَلَى اثْنَيْنِ وَلاَ تَوَلَّيَنَّ مَالَ يَتِيمٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Abu Dharr, I find that thou art weak and I like for thee what I like for myself. Do not rule over (even) two persons and do not manage the property of an orphan.

Narrated by It has been reported on the authority of Abu Dharr that the Messenger of of Allah (ﷺ) said:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) advises Abu Dharr about leadership and responsibility. He highlights the importance of self-awareness and humility, suggesting that those who feel weak or unqualified should refrain from taking on leadership roles, particularly over vulnerable individuals like orphans.

Modern Application

This principle can be applied in modern contexts where individuals are encouraged to recognize their strengths and limitations. By understanding one's capabilities, people can make better decisions about leadership and responsibility, particularly in sensitive situations.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Prophetic Conduct and Rights of Orphans because it emphasizes the importance of responsible leadership and the protection of vulnerable individuals as highlighted by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

Prophetic Conduct Rights of Orphans

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ الضُّحَىٰ

Ad-Dhuhaa (The Morning Hours)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

فَأَمَّا ٱلْيَتِيمَ فَلَا تَقْهَرْ

So as for the orphan, do not oppress [him].

سُورَةُ النِّسَاءِ

An-Nisaa (The Women)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

4 ayahs

وَلَا تُؤْتُوا۟ ٱلسُّفَهَآءَ أَمْوَٰلَكُمُ ٱلَّتِى جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ قِيَٰمًۭا وَٱرْزُقُوهُمْ فِيهَا وَٱكْسُوهُمْ وَقُولُوا۟ لَهُمْ قَوْلًۭا مَّعْرُوفًۭا

And do not give the weak-minded your property, which Allah has made a means of sustenance for you, but provide for them with it and clothe them and speak to them words of appropriate kindness.

وَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تُقْسِطُوا۟ فِى ٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ فَٱنكِحُوا۟ مَا طَابَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ مَثْنَىٰ وَثُلَٰثَ وَرُبَٰعَ ۖ فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ أَلَّا تَعْدِلُوا۟ فَوَٰحِدَةً أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُكُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعُولُوا۟

And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hand possesses. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice].

وَٱبْتَلُوا۟ ٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا بَلَغُوا۟ ٱلنِّكَاحَ فَإِنْ ءَانَسْتُم مِّنْهُمْ رُشْدًۭا فَٱدْفَعُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِمْ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تَأْكُلُوهَآ إِسْرَافًۭا وَبِدَارًا أَن يَكْبَرُوا۟ ۚ وَمَن كَانَ غَنِيًّۭا فَلْيَسْتَعْفِفْ ۖ وَمَن كَانَ فَقِيرًۭا فَلْيَأْكُلْ بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ ۚ فَإِذَا دَفَعْتُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فَأَشْهِدُوا۟ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ وَكَفَىٰ بِٱللَّهِ حَسِيبًۭا

And test the orphans [in their abilities] until they reach marriageable age. Then if you perceive in them sound judgement, release their property to them. And do not consume it excessively and quickly, [anticipating] that they will grow up. And whoever, [when acting as guardian], is self-sufficient should refrain [from taking a fee]; and whoever is poor - let him take according to what is acceptable. Then when you release their property to them, bring witnesses upon them. And sufficient is Allah as Accountant.

وَءَاتُوا۟ ٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰٓ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ ۖ وَلَا تَتَبَدَّلُوا۟ ٱلْخَبِيثَ بِٱلطَّيِّبِ ۖ وَلَا تَأْكُلُوٓا۟ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ إِلَىٰٓ أَمْوَٰلِكُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ حُوبًۭا كَبِيرًۭا

And give to the orphans their properties and do not substitute the defective [of your own] for the good [of theirs]. And do not consume their properties into your own. Indeed, that is ever a great sin.

Common Words

101 total82 unique12 repeated

ولا4x

أمولهم4x

ألا3x

ٱليتمى3x

كان3x

أمولكم2x

لكم2x

خفتم2x

ما2x

فإن2x

إليهم2x

ومن2x

فأما1x

ٱليتيم1x

فلا1x

تقهر1x

تؤتوا1x

ٱلسفهاء1x

ٱلتى1x

جعل1x

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About Sahih Muslim

This hadith is #4589 from Sahih Muslim, in the Book of The Book on Government. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It has been reported on the authority of Abu Dharr that the Messenger of of Allah (ﷺ) said:.

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