9/41. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1681 — Best Charity Is Giving Water
On The Excellence Of Supplying Drinking Water
Hadith About Best Charity: Giving Water as Sadaqah
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1681
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1681
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ كَثِيرٍ، أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْرَائِيلُ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ رَجُلٍ، عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أُمَّ سَعْدٍ مَاتَتْ فَأَىُّ الصَّدَقَةِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ " الْمَاءُ " . قَالَ فَحَفَرَ بِئْرًا وَقَالَ هَذِهِ لأُمِّ سَعْدٍ .
Sa'd bin 'Ubadah Narrated from:
Sa'd asked: Messenger of Allah, Umm Sa'd has died; what form of sadaqah is best? He replied: Water (is best). He dug a well and said: It is for Umm Sa'd.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1681In-book reference : Book 9, Hadith 126English translation : Book 9, Hadith 1677
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1681
This hadith about giving water shows a simple but deep act of sadaqah. Sa'd ibn Ubadah asked the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم what form of charity was best after his mother, Umm Sa'd, had died. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم answered with one word: water. Sa'd then dug a well and dedicated it for Umm Sa'd. The message is clear from the text: giving water can be a strong form of charity, especially when it helps people meet a real need. The hadith also shows that a person may give sadaqah with the intention of benefit for a deceased loved one. It is a practical lesson in turning grief into service.
What we learn from this hadith
- Giving water is mentioned here as a best form of sadaqah.
- A person can dedicate charity for a deceased loved one.
- Useful charity can take a practical form, such as digging a well.
