Sunan Abu Dawud #5239
General Behavior (Kitab Al-Adab)
The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ حَكِيمٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ حَاطِبٍ الْقُرَشِيُّ، عَنْ أَبِي طَلْحَةَ الأَسَدِيِّ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم خَرَجَ فَرَأَى قُبَّةً مُشْرِفَةً فَقَالَ " مَا هَذِهِ " . قَالَ لَهُ أَصْحَابُهُ هَذِهِ لِفُلاَنٍ - رَجُلٍ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ - . قَالَ فَسَكَتَ وَحَمَلَهَا فِي نَفْسِهِ حَتَّى إِذَا جَاءَ صَاحِبُهَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُسَلِّمُ عَلَيْهِ فِي النَّاسِ أَعْرَضَ عَنْهُ صَنَعَ ذَلِكَ مِرَارًا حَتَّى عَرَفَ الرَّجُلُ الْغَضَبَ فِيهِ وَالإِعْرَاضَ عَنْهُ فَشَكَا ذَلِكَ إِلَى أَصْحَابِهِ فَقَالَ وَاللَّهِ إِنِّي لأُنْكِرُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم . قَالُوا خَرَجَ فَرَأَى قُبَّتَكَ . قَالَ فَرَجَعَ الرَّجُلُ إِلَى قُبَّتِهِ فَهَدَمَهَا حَتَّى سَوَّاهَا بِالأَرْضِ فَخَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ذَاتَ يَوْمٍ فَلَمْ يَرَهَا قَالَ " مَا فَعَلَتِ الْقُبَّةُ " . قَالُوا شَكَا إِلَيْنَا صَاحِبُهَا إِعْرَاضَكَ عَنْهُ فَأَخْبَرْنَاهُ فَهَدَمَهَا فَقَالَ " أَمَا إِنَّ كُلَّ بِنَاءٍ وَبَالٌ عَلَى صَاحِبِهِ إِلاَّ مَا لاَ إِلاَّ مَا لاَ " . يَعْنِي مَا لاَ بُدَّ مِنْهُ .
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out, and on seeing a high-domed building, he said: What is it?
His companions replied to him: It belongs to so and so, one of the Ansar.
He said: he said nothing but kept the matter in mind. When its owner came and gave him a greeting among the people, he turned away from him. When he had done this several times, the man realised that he was the cause of the anger and the rebuff.
So he complained about it to his companions, saying: I swear by Allah that I cannot understand the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).
They said: He went out and saw your domed building. So the man returned to it and demolished it, levelling it to the ground. One day the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out and did not see it.
He asked: What has happened to the domed building?
They replied: Its owner complained to us about your rebuff, and when we informed him about it, he demolished it.
He said: Every building is a misfortune for its owner, except what cannot, except what cannot, meaning except that which is essential.
Narrated by Narrated Anas ibn Malik:
Context
In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) observes a high-domed building and expresses his disapproval without directly addressing the owner. His behavior illustrates a principle of humility and the potential burdens that come with ownership. The owner, realizing the Prophet's displeasure, demolishes the structure, leading to a discussion about the burdens of buildings and possessions.
Modern Application
In modern life, this hadith reminds us to consider the implications of our possessions and the responsibilities they entail. It encourages a minimalist approach, where we prioritize what is essential and avoid unnecessary burdens in our lives.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prophetic Conduct because it demonstrates the Prophet's (ﷺ) approach to addressing issues of ownership and responsibility without direct confrontation.
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عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ
The Prophet frowned and turned away
سُورَةُ التَّوۡبَةِ
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Then is one who laid the foundation of his building on righteousness [with fear] from Allah and [seeking] His approval better or one who laid the foundation of his building on the edge of a bank about to collapse, so it collapsed with him into the fire of Hell? And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.
سُورَةُ الكَهۡفِ
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فَٱنطَلَقَا حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَتَيَآ أَهْلَ قَرْيَةٍ ٱسْتَطْعَمَآ أَهْلَهَا فَأَبَوْا۟ أَن يُضَيِّفُوهُمَا فَوَجَدَا فِيهَا جِدَارًۭا يُرِيدُ أَن يَنقَضَّ فَأَقَامَهُۥ ۖ قَالَ لَوْ شِئْتَ لَتَّخَذْتَ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًۭا
So they set out, until when they came to the people of a town, they asked its people for food, but they refused to offer them hospitality. And they found therein a wall about to collapse, so al-Khidh r restored it. [Moses] said, "If you wished, you could have taken for it a payment."
وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَعْثَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ وَعْدَ ٱللَّهِ حَقٌّۭ وَأَنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهَآ إِذْ يَتَنَٰزَعُونَ بَيْنَهُمْ أَمْرَهُمْ ۖ فَقَالُوا۟ ٱبْنُوا۟ عَلَيْهِم بُنْيَٰنًۭا ۖ رَّبُّهُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِهِمْ ۚ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ غَلَبُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَمْرِهِمْ لَنَتَّخِذَنَّ عَلَيْهِم مَّسْجِدًۭا
And similarly, We caused them to be found that they [who found them] would know that the promise of Allah is truth and that of the Hour there is no doubt. [That was] when they disputed among themselves about their affair and [then] said, "Construct over them a structure. Their Lord is most knowing about them." Said those who prevailed in the matter, "We will surely take [for ourselves] over them a masjid."
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Al-Ahzaab (The Clans)
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O you who have believed, do not enter the houses of the Prophet except when you are permitted for a meal, without awaiting its readiness. But when you are invited, then enter; and when you have eaten, disperse without seeking to remain for conversation. Indeed, that [behavior] was troubling the Prophet, and he is shy of [dismissing] you. But Allah is not shy of the truth. And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts. And it is not [conceivable or lawful] for you to harm the Messenger of Allah or to marry his wives after him, ever. Indeed, that would be in the sight of Allah an enormity.
Common Words
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أن6x
ٱلله5x
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لا4x
على3x
عليهم3x
ذلكم3x
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فيها2x
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أمرهم2x
ٱلذين2x
ٱلنبى2x
لكم2x
ولا2x
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About Sunan Abu Dawud
This hadith is #5239 from Sunan Abu Dawud, in the Book of General Behavior (Kitab Al-Adab) and narrated by Narrated Anas ibn Malik:.