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 an-Nasa'i, which contains 5,768 hadiths across 52 books. It is hadith number 2538 in the Book of The Book of Zakah.

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#2537

#2538

Sunan an-Nasa'i

#2539

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Sunan an-Nasa'i #2538

Q: What is Sunan an-Nasa'i 2538 about?

This hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i (Book of The Book of Zakah), narrated by It was narrated from 'Abdullah bin 'Umar that:, states: "the Messenger of Allah said, when mentioning charity and those who refrain from asking. "The upper hand is better than the lower hand; the upper hand is that which gives and the lower hand is that whi…"

The Book of Zakah

Sahih

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

أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ وَهُوَ يَذْكُرُ الصَّدَقَةَ وَالتَّعَفُّفَ عَنِ الْمَسْأَلَةِ ‏ "‏ الْيَدُ الْعُلْيَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْيَدِ السُّفْلَى وَالْيَدُ الْعُلْيَا الْمُنْفِقَةُ وَالْيَدُ السُّفْلَى السَّائِلَةُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

the Messenger of Allah said, when mentioning charity and those who refrain from asking. "The upper hand is better than the lower hand; the upper hand is that which gives and the lower hand is that which asks."

Narrated by It was narrated from 'Abdullah bin 'Umar that:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasizes the virtue of giving over asking for help. He states that the upper hand, which gives, is better than the lower hand, which asks. This teaching encourages generosity and self-reliance, promoting a culture of charity within the community.

Modern Application

In everyday life, this principle encourages individuals to seek opportunities to give rather than rely on others. It fosters a spirit of generosity and community support, motivating people to contribute positively to those in need.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Charity and Good Deeds because it highlights the importance of giving and the value of generosity in Islam.

Charity Good Deeds

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ

Al-Baqara (The Cow)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

3 ayahs

لِلْفُقَرَآءِ ٱلَّذِينَ أُحْصِرُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ ضَرْبًۭا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ يَحْسَبُهُمُ ٱلْجَاهِلُ أَغْنِيَآءَ مِنَ ٱلتَّعَفُّفِ تَعْرِفُهُم بِسِيمَٰهُمْ لَا يَسْـَٔلُونَ ٱلنَّاسَ إِلْحَافًۭا ۗ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِنْ خَيْرٍۢ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌ

[Charity is] for the poor who have been restricted for the cause of Allah, unable to move about in the land. An ignorant [person] would think them self-sufficient because of their restraint, but you will know them by their [characteristic] sign. They do not ask people persistently [or at all]. And whatever you spend of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.

۞ قَوْلٌۭ مَّعْرُوفٌۭ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ خَيْرٌۭ مِّن صَدَقَةٍۢ يَتْبَعُهَآ أَذًۭى ۗ وَٱللَّهُ غَنِىٌّ حَلِيمٌۭ

Kind speech and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury. And Allah is Free of need and Forbearing.

وَإِن كَانَ ذُو عُسْرَةٍۢ فَنَظِرَةٌ إِلَىٰ مَيْسَرَةٍۢ ۚ وَأَن تَصَدَّقُوا۟ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

And if someone is in hardship, then [let there be] postponement until [a time of] ease. But if you give [from your right as] charity, then it is better for you, if you only knew.

سُورَةُ اللَّيۡلِ

Al-Lail (The Night)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

فَأَمَّا مَنْ أَعْطَىٰ وَٱتَّقَىٰ

As for he who gives and fears Allah

سُورَةُ الشُّورَىٰ

Ash-Shura (Consultation)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

ذَٰلِكَ ٱلَّذِى يُبَشِّرُ ٱللَّهُ عِبَادَهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ ۗ قُل لَّآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ أَجْرًا إِلَّا ٱلْمَوَدَّةَ فِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ ۗ وَمَن يَقْتَرِفْ حَسَنَةًۭ نَّزِدْ لَهُۥ فِيهَا حُسْنًا ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ غَفُورٌۭ شَكُورٌ

It is that of which Allah gives good tidings to His servants who believe and do righteous deeds. Say, [O Muhammad], "I do not ask you for this message any payment [but] only good will through kinship." And whoever commits a good deed - We will increase for him good therein. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Appreciative.

Common Words

88 total74 unique7 repeated

ٱلله4x

من4x

فى3x

لا3x

خير3x

ٱلذين2x

إن2x

للفقراء1x

أحصروا1x

سبيل1x

يستطيعون1x

ضربا1x

ٱلأرض1x

يحسبهم1x

ٱلجاهل1x

أغنياء1x

ٱلتعفف1x

تعرفهم1x

بسيمهم1x

يسـلون1x

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About Sunan an-Nasa'i

This hadith is #2538 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of Zakah. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated from 'Abdullah bin 'Umar that:.

Browse all Sunan an-Nasa'i All Hadith Collections

Sunan an-Nasa'i #2538

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

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About Sunan an-Nasa'i

About This Hadith