10/1. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1718 — Hiding a Stray Camel
Finds
Hadith About Hiding a Stray Camel and Paying Compensation
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1718
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1718
حَدَّثَنَا مَخْلَدُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، - أَحْسَبُهُ - عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " ضَالَّةُ الإِبِلِ الْمَكْتُومَةِ غَرَامَتُهَا وَمِثْلُهَا مَعَهَا " .
AbuHurayrah Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: He who hides a stray camel shall pay a fine, and a like compensation with it.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1718In-book reference : Book 10, Hadith 18English translation : Book 9, Hadith 1714
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1718
This hadith about hiding a stray camel is short and serious. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that whoever hides a stray camel shall pay a fine and a like compensation with it. The main message is that a stray camel should not be concealed. This connects closely with other narrations where stray camels are not to be taken like stray sheep, because camels have the ability to move, drink, and feed until their owner comes. Here, the focus is on the wrong act of hiding the animal. Concealing a stray animal can harm the owner and block the animal from being found. The hadith teaches that dealing with stray animals must be honest and open. A camel that strays is not a secret gain for the finder.
What we learn from this hadith
- A stray camel should not be hidden.
- The hadith mentions a fine and similar compensation for hiding it.
- Concealing a stray animal harms the owner’s right.
- Handling stray animals requires honesty.
