What is Sunan an-Nasa'i 3788 about?

This hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i (Book of The Book of Oaths and Vows), narrated by It was narrated from Abu Musa that the Prophet said:, states: ""There is nothing on Earth that I swear an oath upon, and I see that something else is better, but I do that which is better.""

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 3788 in the Book of The Book of Oaths and Vows.

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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#3787

#3788

Sunan an-Nasa'i

#3789

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Sunan an-Nasa'i #3788

The Book of Oaths and Vows

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، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عَدِيٍّ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ أَبِي السَّلِيلِ، عَنْ زَهْدَمٍ، عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ مَا عَلَى الأَرْضِ يَمِينٌ أَحْلِفُ عَلَيْهَا فَأَرَى غَيْرَهَا خَيْرًا مِنْهَا إِلاَّ أَتَيْتُهُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

"There is nothing on Earth that I swear an oath upon, and I see that something else is better, but I do that which is better."

Narrated by It was narrated from Abu Musa that the Prophet said:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ discusses the importance of making choices based on what is better, even when one has made an oath. He emphasizes that if a better option is available, it is preferable to pursue that instead. This teaching encourages critical thinking and prioritizing the best course of action in various situations.

Modern Application

This principle can be applied in daily decision-making, reminding individuals to evaluate their commitments and choices. It encourages flexibility and the pursuit of better alternatives, fostering a mindset of continuous improvement in personal and professional life.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Oaths and Vows because it discusses the nature of oaths and the importance of choosing better options when available.

Oaths and Vows