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 3790 in the Book of The Book of Oaths and Vows.

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#3789

#3790

Sunan an-Nasa'i

#3791

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Sunan an-Nasa'i #3790

Q: What is Sunan an-Nasa'i 3790 about?

This hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i (Book of The Book of Oaths and Vows), narrated by 'Amr bin Shu'aib narrated from his father, from his grandfather, that the Messenger of Allah said:, states: ""Whoever swears an oath, then sees something better than it, let him do that which is better.""

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 عَمْرُو بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الأَخْنَسِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ شُعَيْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ مَنْ حَلَفَ عَلَى يَمِينٍ فَرَأَى غَيْرَهَا خَيْرًا مِنْهَا فَلْيُكَفِّرْ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَلْيَأْتِ الَّذِي هُوَ خَيْرٌ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

"Whoever swears an oath, then sees something better than it, let him do that which is better."

Narrated by 'Amr bin Shu'aib narrated from his father, from his grandfather, that the Messenger of Allah said:

Context

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) teaches that if someone swears an oath but later finds a better option, they should fulfill the better choice and atone for their original oath. This highlights the flexibility in Islamic teachings regarding commitments and the importance of choosing what is best.

Modern Application

In everyday life, this principle encourages individuals to remain open to change and improvement. If a person realizes a better path or decision after making a commitment, they should pursue the better option while taking responsibility for their previous promise.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Prophetic Teachings and Oaths and Vows because it illustrates the guidance provided by the Prophet on navigating commitments and making ethical choices.

Prophetic Teachings Oaths and Vows

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ المَائـِدَةِ

Al-Maaida (The Table)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

2 ayahs

فَإِنْ عُثِرَ عَلَىٰٓ أَنَّهُمَا ٱسْتَحَقَّآ إِثْمًۭا فَـَٔاخَرَانِ يَقُومَانِ مَقَامَهُمَا مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتَحَقَّ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْأَوْلَيَٰنِ فَيُقْسِمَانِ بِٱللَّهِ لَشَهَٰدَتُنَآ أَحَقُّ مِن شَهَٰدَتِهِمَا وَمَا ٱعْتَدَيْنَآ إِنَّآ إِذًۭا لَّمِنَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ

But if it is found that those two were guilty of perjury, let two others stand in their place [who are] foremost [in claim] from those who have a lawful right. And let them swear by Allah, "Our testimony is truer than their testimony, and we have not transgressed. Indeed, we would then be of the wrongdoers."

لَا يُؤَاخِذُكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِٱللَّغْوِ فِىٓ أَيْمَٰنِكُمْ وَلَٰكِن يُؤَاخِذُكُم بِمَا عَقَّدتُّمُ ٱلْأَيْمَٰنَ ۖ فَكَفَّٰرَتُهُۥٓ إِطْعَامُ عَشَرَةِ مَسَٰكِينَ مِنْ أَوْسَطِ مَا تُطْعِمُونَ أَهْلِيكُمْ أَوْ كِسْوَتُهُمْ أَوْ تَحْرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍۢ ۖ فَمَن لَّمْ يَجِدْ فَصِيَامُ ثَلَٰثَةِ أَيَّامٍۢ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ كَفَّٰرَةُ أَيْمَٰنِكُمْ إِذَا حَلَفْتُمْ ۚ وَٱحْفَظُوٓا۟ أَيْمَٰنَكُمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ

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.

سُورَةُ القَلَمِ

Al-Qalam (The Pen)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

عَسَىٰ رَبُّنَآ أَن يُبْدِلَنَا خَيْرًۭا مِّنْهَآ إِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا رَٰغِبُونَ

Perhaps our Lord will substitute for us [one] better than it. Indeed, we are toward our Lord desirous."

سُورَةُ فُصِّلَتۡ

Fussilat (Explained in detail)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَلَا تَسْتَوِى ٱلْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا ٱلسَّيِّئَةُ ۚ ٱدْفَعْ بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُۥ عَدَٰوَةٌۭ كَأَنَّهُۥ وَلِىٌّ حَمِيمٌۭ

And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.

سُورَةُ النَّمۡلِ

An-Naml (The Ant)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

إِلَّا مَن ظَلَمَ ثُمَّ بَدَّلَ حُسْنًۢا بَعْدَ سُوٓءٍۢ فَإِنِّى غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ

Otherwise, he who wrongs, then substitutes good after evil - indeed, I am Forgiving and Merciful.

Common Words

109 total97 unique9 repeated

من4x

أيمنكم3x

إنا2x

إذا2x

ربنا2x

ولا2x

يؤاخذكم2x

ٱلله2x

أو2x

فإن1x

عثر1x

على1x

أنهما1x

ٱستحقا1x

إثما1x

فـاخران1x

يقومان1x

مقامهما1x

ٱلذين1x

ٱستحق1x

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About Sunan an-Nasa'i

This hadith is #3790 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of Oaths and Vows. It is graded Sahih and narrated by 'Amr bin Shu'aib narrated from his father, from his grandfather, that the Messenger of Allah said:.

Browse all Sunan an-Nasa'i All Hadith Collections

Sunan an-Nasa'i #3790

Context

Modern Application

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Common Words

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About Sunan an-Nasa'i

About This Hadith