64/72. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 4381 — Send an Honest Man
The story of the people of Najran (Christians)
Hadith About an Honest Man: Abu Ubaida and Trust in Islam
Sahih Bukhari : 4381
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 4381
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ صِلَةَ بْنِ زُفَرَ، عَنْ حُذَيْفَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ جَاءَ أَهْلُ نَجْرَانَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالُوا ابْعَثْ لَنَا رَجُلاً أَمِينًا. فَقَالَ " لأَبْعَثَنَّ إِلَيْكُمْ رَجُلاً أَمِينًا حَقَّ أَمِينٍ ". فَاسْتَشْرَفَ لَهُ النَّاسُ، فَبَعَثَ أَبَا عُبَيْدَةَ بْنَ الْجَرَّاحِ.
Hudhaifa Narrated from:
The people of Najran came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said, "Send an honest man to us." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I will send to you an honest man who is really trustworthy." Everyone of the (Muslim) people hoped to be that one. The Prophet (ﷺ) then sent Abu Ubaida bin Al-Jarrah.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 4381In-book reference : Book 64, Hadith 404USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 5, Book 59, Hadith 664
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 4381
This hadith about an honest man is short, but its message is strong. The people of Najran asked the Prophet to send them someone trustworthy. He did not treat trust as a small detail. He promised to send a man who was truly honest, and the Muslims around him hoped to be selected. The Prophet then sent Abu Ubaida bin Al-Jarrah. The hadith teaches that amanah, or trust, is needed when a person represents others. It also shows that good character can make someone known in the community. A trusted person does not only speak well; people feel safe giving him serious tasks. This is why the hadith is often searched as the Abu Ubaida trustworthy hadith.
What we learn from this hadith
- Trust is needed when someone carries a duty on behalf of others.
- The Prophet chose people based on proven honesty.
- Good people may hope for noble work, but the task goes to the one best suited for it.
- Amanah is a public quality, not only a private claim.
