The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ بُكَيْرٍ، عَنْ بُسْرِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ السَّاعِدِيِّ الْمَالِكِيِّ، قَالَ اسْتَعْمَلَنِي عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ رضى الله عنه عَلَى الصَّدَقَةِ فَلَمَّا فَرَغْتُ مِنْهَا فَأَدَّيْتُهَا إِلَيْهِ أَمَرَ لِي بِعُمَالَةٍ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ إِنَّمَا عَمِلْتُ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ وَأَجْرِي عَلَى اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ . فَقَالَ خُذْ مَا أَعْطَيْتُكَ فَإِنِّي قَدْ عَمِلْتُ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقُلْتُ لَهُ مِثْلَ قَوْلِكَ فَقَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم
" إِذَا أُعْطِيتَ شَيْئًا مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ تَسْأَلَ فَكُلْ وَتَصَدَّقْ " .
"Umar bin Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, appointed me in charge of the Sadaqah. When I finished collecting it and handed it over to him, he ordered that I be given some payment. I said to him: 'I only did for the sake of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, and my reward will be with Allah, the Mighty and Sublime.' He said: 'Take what I have given you: I did the same take during the time of the Messenger of Allah, and I said what you have said, but the Messenger of Allah said to me: "If you are given something without asking for it, then keep (some) and give (some) in charity."'
Narrated by It was narrated that Ibn As-Sa'idi Al-Maliki said:
Context
This hadith recounts an incident involving Umar bin Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, who appointed Ibn As-Sa'idi Al-Maliki to oversee the collection of Sadaqah. After completing his task, Ibn As-Sa'idi declined payment, stating his work was solely for Allah. Umar, recalling a teaching of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, encouraged him to accept the payment, emphasizing the importance of charity and reward.
Modern Application
In today's context, this hadith highlights the balance between serving others and recognizing the value of one's efforts. Many people engage in charitable work, often feeling that their reward should come solely from Allah. However, accepting compensation for one's efforts can also be seen as a way to support further charitable actions.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Charity and Wages and Labor because it illustrates the act of giving and receiving in the context of charitable work.
And if you turn away [from my advice] then no payment have I asked of you. My reward is only from Allah, and I have been commanded to be of the Muslims."
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.
And what Allah restored to His Messenger from the people of the towns - it is for Allah and for the Messenger and for [his] near relatives and orphans and the [stranded] traveler - so that it will not be a perpetual distribution among the rich from among you. And whatever the Messenger has given you - take; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.
This hadith is #2609 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of Zakah. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated that Ibn As-Sa'idi Al-Maliki said:.
