What is Sunan Abu Dawud 4788 about?

This hadith from Sunan Abu Dawud (Book of General Behavior (Kitab Al-Adab)), narrated by `A’isha said:, states: "the Messenger of Allah (saws ) never struck a servant or a woman."

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 Sunan Abu Dawud, which contains 5,276 hadiths across 43 books. It is hadith number 4788 in the Book of General Behavior (Kitab Al-Adab).

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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#4787

#4788

Sunan Abu Dawud

#4789

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Sunan Abu Dawud #4788

General Behavior (Kitab Al-Adab)

Sahih

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

حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ زُرَيْعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، رضى الله عنها، قَالَتْ مَا ضَرَبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم خَادِمًا وَلاَ امْرَأَةً قَطُّ ‏.‏

the Messenger of Allah (saws ) never struck a servant or a woman.

Narrated by `A’isha said:

Context

In this hadith narrated by `A’isha, it is highlighted that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) never resorted to physical punishment against a servant or a woman. This reflects his compassionate nature and sets a standard for humane treatment in relationships, emphasizing respect and kindness over aggression. The takeaway is the importance of treating others with dignity and compassion.

Modern Application

In today's society, this principle encourages individuals to resolve conflicts through dialogue and understanding rather than resorting to violence or intimidation. It serves as a reminder to foster respectful relationships in both personal and professional settings.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Prophetic Conduct and Rights of Women because it illustrates the Prophet's (ﷺ) exemplary behavior in treating all individuals with respect and dignity.

Prophetic Conduct Rights of Women

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ الشَّمۡسِ

Ash-Shams (The Sun)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

فَقَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ ٱللَّهِ نَاقَةَ ٱللَّهِ وَسُقْيَٰهَا

And the messenger of Allah [Salih] said to them, "[Do not harm] the she-camel of Allah or [prevent her from] her drink."

سُورَةُ النَّجۡمِ

An-Najm (The Star)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَمَا غَوَىٰ

Your companion [Muhammad] has not strayed, nor has he erred,

سُورَةُ النِّسَاءِ

An-Nisaa (The Women)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

2 ayahs

لَّن يَسْتَنكِفَ ٱلْمَسِيحُ أَن يَكُونَ عَبْدًۭا لِّلَّهِ وَلَا ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ ٱلْمُقَرَّبُونَ ۚ وَمَن يَسْتَنكِفْ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِۦ وَيَسْتَكْبِرْ فَسَيَحْشُرُهُمْ إِلَيْهِ جَمِيعًۭا

Never would the Messiah disdain to be a servant of Allah, nor would the angels near [to Him]. And whoever disdains His worship and is arrogant - He will gather them to Himself all together.

وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا لِيُطَاعَ بِإِذْنِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ إِذ ظَّلَمُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ جَآءُوكَ فَٱسْتَغْفَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَٱسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمُ ٱلرَّسُولُ لَوَجَدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابًۭا رَّحِيمًۭا

And We did not send any messenger except to be obeyed by permission of Allah. And if, when they wronged themselves, they had come to you, [O Muhammad], and asked forgiveness of Allah and the Messenger had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah Accepting of repentance and Merciful.

سُورَةُ البَيِّنَةِ

Al-Bayyina (The Evidence)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

رَسُولٌۭ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ يَتْلُوا۟ صُحُفًۭا مُّطَهَّرَةًۭ

A Messenger from Allah, reciting purified scriptures

Common Words

59 total48 unique6 repeated

ٱلله6x

رسول3x

لهم2x

وما2x

يستنكف2x

من2x

فقال1x

ناقة1x

وسقيها1x

ما1x

ضل1x

صاحبكم1x

غوى1x

لن1x

ٱلمسيح1x

أن1x

يكون1x

عبدا1x

لله1x

ولا1x

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About Sunan Abu Dawud

This hadith is #4788 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of General Behavior (Kitab Al-Adab). It is graded Sahih and narrated by `A’isha said:.

Browse all Sunan Abu Dawud All Hadith Collections

Sunan Abu Dawud #4788

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

Related Hadiths

About Sunan Abu Dawud

About This Hadith