Sunan Abu Dawud #4997

General Behavior (Kitab Al-Adab)
Da'if

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

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَامِرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ طَهْمَانَ، عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، عَنْ أَبِي النُّعْمَانِ، عَنْ أَبِي وَقَّاصٍ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَرْقَمَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ إِذَا وَعَدَ الرَّجُلُ أَخَاهُ - وَمِنْ نِيَّتِهِ أَنْ يَفِيَ لَهُ - فَلَمْ يَفِ وَلَمْ يَجِئْ لِلْمِيعَادِ فَلاَ إِثْمَ عَلَيْهِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: When a man makes a promise to his brother with the intention of fulfilling it and does not do so, and does not come at the appointed time, he is guilty of no sin.
Narrated by Narrated Zayd ibn Arqam:

Context

This hadith addresses the concept of promises and intentions. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) reassures that if a person intends to fulfill a promise but fails to do so, they are not held accountable for the lapse. This highlights the importance of intention in Islam and provides comfort to those who may struggle with fulfilling commitments due to unforeseen circumstances.

Modern Application

In everyday life, this principle encourages individuals to be understanding of others' situations. It reminds us that while keeping promises is important, intentions matter significantly, and we should be compassionate towards those who may not meet their commitments.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Ethics of Interaction and Oaths and Vows because it emphasizes the importance of intention behind promises and the ethical considerations in interpersonal relationships.

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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.
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وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِيمَا عَرَّضْتُم بِهِۦ مِنْ خِطْبَةِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ أَوْ أَكْنَنتُمْ فِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ ۚ عَلِمَ ٱللَّهُ أَنَّكُمْ سَتَذْكُرُونَهُنَّ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تُوَاعِدُوهُنَّ سِرًّا إِلَّآ أَن تَقُولُوا۟ قَوْلًۭا مَّعْرُوفًۭا ۚ وَلَا تَعْزِمُوا۟ عُقْدَةَ ٱلنِّكَاحِ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ ٱلْكِتَٰبُ أَجَلَهُۥ ۚ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ فَٱحْذَرُوهُ ۚ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌ حَلِيمٌۭ
There is no blame upon you for that to which you [indirectly] allude concerning a proposal to women or for what you conceal within yourselves. Allah knows that you will have them in mind. But do not promise them secretly except for saying a proper saying. And do not determine to undertake a marriage contract until the decreed period reaches its end. And know that Allah knows what is within yourselves, so beware of Him. And know that Allah is Forgiving and Forbearing.
لَّا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِٱللَّغْوِ فِىٓ أَيْمَٰنِكُمْ وَلَٰكِن يُؤَاخِذُكُم بِمَا كَسَبَتْ قُلُوبُكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ حَلِيمٌۭ
Allah does not impose blame upon you for what is unintentional in your oaths, but He imposes blame upon you for what your hearts have earned. And Allah is Forgiving and Forbearing.

Common Words

153 total105 unique21 repeated
ٱلله6x
لا5x
ما5x
على4x
ولا4x
أن4x
يؤاخذكم4x
فى4x
أيمنكم4x
من3x
غفور3x
بما3x
ولكن3x
أو3x
إذا2x
وٱلله2x
كسبت2x
بٱللغو2x
أنفسكم2x
وٱعلموا2x
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About Sunan Abu Dawud

This hadith is #4997 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of General Behavior (Kitab Al-Adab). It is graded Da'if and narrated by Narrated Zayd ibn Arqam:.

About This Hadith