67/69. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 5167 — Mahr, Work, and Wedding Banquet
Al-Walima is to be given even with one sheep
Hadith About Mahr and the Wedding Banquet
Sahih Bukhari : 5167
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 5167
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيٌّ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي حُمَيْدٌ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَنَسًا ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ سَأَلَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَبْدَ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنَ عَوْفٍ وَتَزَوَّجَ امْرَأَةً مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ " كَمْ أَصْدَقْتَهَا ". قَالَ وَزْنَ نَوَاةٍ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ. وَعَنْ حُمَيْدٍ سَمِعْتُ أَنَسًا قَالَ لَمَّا قَدِمُوا الْمَدِينَةَ نَزَلَ الْمُهَاجِرُونَ عَلَى الأَنْصَارِ فَنَزَلَ عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَوْفٍ عَلَى سَعْدِ بْنِ الرَّبِيعِ فَقَالَ أُقَاسِمُكَ مَالِي وَأَنْزِلُ لَكَ عَنْ إِحْدَى امْرَأَتَىَّ. قَالَ بَارَكَ اللَّهُ لَكَ فِي أَهْلِكَ وَمَالِكَ. فَخَرَجَ إِلَى السُّوقِ فَبَاعَ وَاشْتَرَى فَأَصَابَ شَيْئًا مِنْ أَقِطٍ وَسَمْنٍ فَتَزَوَّجَ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَوْلِمْ وَلَوْ بِشَاةٍ ".
Anas Narrated from:
When `Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf married an Ansari woman, the Prophet (ﷺ) asked him, "How much Mahr did you give her?" `Abdur-Rahman said, "Gold equal to the weight of a date stone." Anas added: When they (i.e. the Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions) arrived at Medina, the emigrants stayed at the Ansar's houses. `Abdur-Rahman bin `Auf stayed at Sa`d bin Ar-Rabi's house.Sa`d said to `Abdur- Rahman, "I will divide and share my property with you and will give one of my two wives to you." `Abdur-Rahman said, "May Allah bless you, your wives and property (I am not in need of that; but kindly show me the way to the market)." So `Abdur-Rahman went to the market and traded there gaining a profit of some dried yoghurt and butter, and married (an Ansari woman). The Prophet (ﷺ) said to him, "Give a banquet, even if with one sheep."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 5167In-book reference : Book 67, Hadith 102USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 7, Book 62, Hadith 96
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 5167
This hadith about mahr and walimah tells the story of Abdur-Rahman bin Auf. When he married an Ansari woman, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) asked how much mahr he had given her. He answered that it was gold equal to the weight of a date stone. The report also mentions that when the emigrants came to Madinah, Sa’d bin Ar-Rabi offered to share his wealth. Abdur-Rahman prayed for blessing for Sa’d and asked to be shown the market. He traded, gained some dried yoghurt and butter, and then married. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) told him to give a wedding banquet, even if with one sheep. The focus is clear: mahr is part of marriage, earning through trade is shown, and walimah is encouraged in the wording of the hadith.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) asked about the mahr given in marriage.
- Abdur-Rahman accepted kindness with a blessing but chose to work in the market.
- The report shows trade and earning before marriage in this case.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) told him to hold a walimah, even with one sheep.
