64/54. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4320 — Fulfilling a Vow of I'tikaf
“…and on the day of Hunain when you rejoiced at your great number….”
Hadith About Fulfilling a Vow: The Lesson of I'tikaf
Sahih Bukhari : 4320
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4320
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو النُّعْمَانِ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، أَنَّ عُمَرَ، قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ. حَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مُقَاتِلٍ أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ أَخْبَرَنَا مَعْمَرٌ عَنْ أَيُّوبَ عَنْ نَافِعٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ لَمَّا قَفَلْنَا مِنْ حُنَيْنٍ سَأَلَ عُمَرُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ نَذْرٍ كَانَ نَذَرَهُ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ اعْتِكَافٍ، فَأَمَرَهُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِوَفَائِهِ. وَقَالَ بَعْضُهُمْ حَمَّادٌ عَنْ أَيُّوبَ عَنْ نَافِعٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ. وَرَوَاهُ جَرِيرُ بْنُ حَازِمٍ وَحَمَّادُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ عَنْ أَيُّوبَ عَنْ نَافِعٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم.
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
When we returned from (the battle of) Hunain, `Umar asked the Prophet (ﷺ) about a vow which he had made during the Pre-Islamic period of Ignorance that he would perform I`tikaf. The Prophet (ﷺ) ordered him to fulfill his vow.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4320In-book reference : Book 64, Hadith 350USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 5, Book 59, Hadith 609
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4320
This Hadith teaches a clear lesson about fulfilling a vow in Islam. Umar had made a vow during the Pre-Islamic period that he would perform I'tikaf. After returning from Hunain, he asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم about it. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم ordered him to fulfill the vow. The main point is simple: when a vow is connected to worship and obedience to Allah, it should not be treated lightly. This Hadith about I'tikaf also shows that a person should ask when unsure, instead of acting on guesswork. The Prophet's answer was direct and practical. A promise made for worship still carried weight, and Umar was guided to complete it.
What we learn from this hadith
- A vow linked to worship should be taken seriously.
- When unsure about a religious matter, a person should ask for guidance.
- I'tikaf is an act of worship that can be vowed and fulfilled.
- Islam teaches people to honor serious commitments made for obedience to Allah.
