Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Sahih in chain. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sunan Abu Dawud, which contains 5,276 hadiths across 43 books. It is hadith number 3277 in the Book of Oaths and Vows (Kitab Al-Aiman Wa Al-Nudhur).

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#3276

#3277

Sunan Abu Dawud

#3278

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Sunan Abu Dawud #3277

Q: What is Sunan Abu Dawud 3277 about?

This hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud (Book of Oaths and Vows (Kitab Al-Aiman Wa Al-Nudhur)), narrated by Narrated Abu Burdah:, states: "On the authority of his father that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: I swear by Allah that if Allah wills I shall swear on an oath and then consider something else to be better than it without making atonement f…"

Oaths and Vows (Kitab Al-Aiman Wa Al-Nudhur)

Sahih in chain

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

حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، حَدَّثَنَا غَيْلاَنُ بْنُ جَرِيرٍ، عَنْ أَبِي بُرْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏:‏ ‏"‏ إِنِّي وَاللَّهِ إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ لاَ أَحْلِفُ عَلَى يَمِينٍ فَأَرَى غَيْرَهَا خَيْرًا مِنْهَا إِلاَّ كَفَّرْتُ عَنْ يَمِينِي، وَأَتَيْتُ الَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ أَوْ قَالَ ‏:‏ ‏"‏ إِلاَّ أَتَيْتُ الَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ وَكَفَّرْتُ يَمِينِي ‏"‏ ‏.‏

On the authority of his father that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: I swear by Allah that if Allah wills I shall swear on an oath and then consider something else to be better than it without making atonement for my oath and doing the thing that is better. Or he said (according to another version): But doing the thing that is better and making atonement for my oath.

Narrated by Narrated Abu Burdah:

Context

This hadith illustrates the Prophet Muhammad's (ﷺ) approach to oaths and ethical decision-making. He expresses that if he were to make an oath and then find a better option, he would fulfill the better choice while making atonement for his original oath. This reflects a flexible and compassionate understanding of commitments, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right action.

Modern Application

In everyday life, this principle can guide individuals in making ethical choices. For example, if someone realizes that their commitment to a certain task is not the best use of their time or resources, they can reassess their priorities and take action that aligns better with their values, while also acknowledging their previous commitments.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Ethics of Speech and Oaths & Vows because it addresses the moral implications of making promises and the importance of acting in accordance with one's values.

Ethics of Speech Oaths & Vows

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ صٓ

Saad (The letter Saad)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

قَالَ فَٱلْحَقُّ وَٱلْحَقَّ أَقُولُ

[Allah] said, "The truth [is My oath], and the truth I say -

سُورَةُ النُّورِ

An-Noor (The Light)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

3 ayahs

۞ وَأَقْسَمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَٰنِهِمْ لَئِنْ أَمَرْتَهُمْ لَيَخْرُجُنَّ ۖ قُل لَّا تُقْسِمُوا۟ ۖ طَاعَةٌۭ مَّعْرُوفَةٌ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

And they swear by Allah their strongest oaths that if you ordered them, they would go forth [in Allah 's cause]. Say, "Do not swear. [Such] obedience is known. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with that which you do."

وَٱلْخَٰمِسَةَ أَنَّ غَضَبَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهَآ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ

And the fifth [oath will be] that the wrath of Allah be upon her if he was of the truthful.

وَٱلْخَٰمِسَةُ أَنَّ لَعْنَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْكَٰذِبِينَ

And the fifth [oath will be] that the curse of Allah be upon him if he should be among the liars.

سُورَةُ المَائـِدَةِ

Al-Maaida (The Table)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

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.

Common Words

84 total67 unique11 repeated

ٱلله5x

إن3x

أيمنكم3x

من3x

لا2x

بما2x

يؤاخذكم2x

أو2x

وٱلخمسة2x

أن2x

كان2x

قال1x

فٱلحق1x

وٱلحق1x

أقول1x

وأقسموا1x

بٱلله1x

جهد1x

أيمنهم1x

لئن1x

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About Sunan Abu Dawud

This hadith is #3277 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of Oaths and Vows (Kitab Al-Aiman Wa Al-Nudhur). It is graded Sahih in chain and narrated by Narrated Abu Burdah:.

Browse all Sunan Abu Dawud All Hadith Collections

Sunan Abu Dawud #3277

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

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About Sunan Abu Dawud

About This Hadith