83/24. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 6690 — Repentance with Balanced Charity
If a person gives his property in charity because of a vow and as an expiation for sins
Hadith About Repentance and Balanced Charity
Sahih Bukhari : 6690
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 6690
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ صَالِحٍ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ كَعْبِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، وَكَانَ، قَائِدَ كَعْبٍ مِنْ بَنِيهِ حِينَ عَمِيَ ـ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ كَعْبَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ، فِي حَدِيثِهِ {َعَلَى الثَّلاَثَةِ الَّذِينَ خُلِّفُوا} َقَالَ فِي آخِرِ حَدِيثِهِ إِنَّ مِنْ تَوْبَتِي أَنِّي أَنْخَلِعُ مِنْ مَالِي صَدَقَةً إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ. فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَمْسِكْ عَلَيْكَ بَعْضَ مَالِكَ فَهْوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ ".
Ka'b bin Malik Narrated from:
Narrated Ka`b bin Malik: In the last part of his narration about the three who remained behind (from the battle of Tabuk). (I said) "As a proof of my true repentance (for not joining the Holy battle of Tabuk), I shall give up all my property for the sake of Allah and His Apostle (as an expiation for that sin)." The Prophet (ﷺ) said (to me), "Keep some of your wealth, for that is better for you."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 6690In-book reference : Book 83, Hadith 67USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 8, Book 78, Hadith 681
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 6690
This hadith about repentance shows Ka`b bin Malik wanting to give away all his property after his repentance was accepted. His intention was to give everything for the sake of Allah and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not reject his repentance or his wish to give charity. Instead, he guided him to keep some of his wealth, saying that this was better for him. The main lesson is balance. Sincere repentance can move a person to make big changes, but Islam does not ask a person to harm his own needs through giving. This hadith teaches that charity, repentance, and personal responsibility should stay together.
What we learn from this hadith
- Repentance should be sincere and followed by better choices.
- Giving charity is good, but keeping some needed wealth can be wiser.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم guided people toward balanced acts of worship.
- A strong emotion after repentance should still follow Prophetic guidance.
