Sunan Abu Dawud #1674
Zakat (Kitab Al-Zakat)
The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ عَاصِمِ بْنِ عُمَرَ بْنِ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ مَحْمُودِ بْنِ لَبِيدٍ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، قَالَ كُنَّا عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذْ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ بِمِثْلِ بَيْضَةٍ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَصَبْتُ هَذِهِ مِنْ مَعْدِنٍ فَخُذْهَا فَهِيَ صَدَقَةٌ مَا أَمْلِكُ غَيْرَهَا . فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثُمَّ أَتَاهُ مِنْ قِبَلِ رُكْنِهِ الأَيْمَنِ فَقَالَ مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ ثُمَّ أَتَاهُ مِنْ قِبَلِ رُكْنِهِ الأَيْسَرِ فَأَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثُمَّ أَتَاهُ مِنْ خَلْفِهِ فَأَخَذَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَحَذَفَهُ بِهَا فَلَوْ أَصَابَتْهُ لأَوْجَعَتْهُ أَوْ لَعَقَرَتْهُ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم
" يَأْتِي أَحَدُكُمْ بِمَا يَمْلِكُ فَيَقُولُ هَذِهِ صَدَقَةٌ ثُمَّ يَقْعُدُ يَسْتَكِفُّ النَّاسَ خَيْرُ الصَّدَقَةِ مَا كَانَ عَنْ ظَهْرِ غِنًى " .
While we were sitting with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) a man brought him some gold equal in weight to an egg, and said: Messenger of Allah, I have got this from a mine; take it; it is sadaqah. I have no more than this. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) turned his attention from him. Then he came to him from his right side and repeated the same words. But he (the Prophet) turned his attention from him. He then came to him from his left side and repeated the same words. But he (again) turned his attention from him. He then came to him from behind. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) took it and threw it away. Had it hit him, it would have hurt him or wounded him. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: One of you brings all that he possesses and says: This is sadaqah. Then he sits down and spreads his hand before the people. The best sadaqah is that which leaves a competence.
Narrated by Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah Al-Ansari:
Context
This hadith recounts an incident where a man offers a small amount of gold as sadaqah to the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The Prophet repeatedly turns away from the offer, ultimately taking it only to throw it away, emphasizing that true charity should not come from a place of excess. He states that the best form of sadaqah is that which is given from one's own means, rather than from surplus wealth.
Modern Application
In modern contexts, this teaches us that genuine charitable acts should come from our own resources, reflecting a personal commitment to helping others. It encourages individuals to give what they can afford, rather than relying on surplus or excess.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Charity and Good Deeds because it illustrates the principle that the best charity is that which is given from one's own means, highlighting the value of personal sacrifice in charitable acts.
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O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. His example is like that of a [large] smooth stone upon which is dust and is hit by a downpour that leaves it bare. They are unable [to keep] anything of what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.
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And what Allah restored to His Messenger from the people of the towns - it is for Allah and for the Messenger and for [his] near relatives and orphans and the [stranded] traveler - so that it will not be a perpetual distribution among the rich from among you. And whatever the Messenger has given you - take; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.
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Let a man of wealth spend from his wealth, and he whose provision is restricted - let him spend from what Allah has given him. Allah does not charge a soul except [according to] what He has given it. Allah will bring about, after hardship, ease.
Common Words
127 total105 unique11 repeated
ٱلله8x
لا5x
ما3x
من3x
عليه2x
على2x
مما2x
وٱلله2x
خير2x
ومن2x
وما2x
بسم1x
ٱلرحمن1x
ٱلرحيم1x
عبس1x
وتولى1x
يأيها1x
ٱلذين1x
ءامنوا1x
تبطلوا1x
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About Sunan Abu Dawud
This hadith is #1674 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Zakat (Kitab Al-Zakat). It is graded Da'if and narrated by Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah Al-Ansari:.