83/26. Chapter:
Sahih Bukhari 6694 — Vows and Allah's Decree
To fulfil one's vow
وَقَوْلِهِ: {يُوفُونَ بِالنَّذْرِ}.
Hadith About Vows and Allah’s Decree
Sahih Bukhari : 6694
Sahih BukhariHadith Number 6694
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ يَأْتِي ابْنَ آدَمَ النَّذْرُ بِشَىْءٍ لَمْ يَكُنْ قُدِّرَ لَهُ، وَلَكِنْ يُلْقِيهِ النَّذْرُ إِلَى الْقَدَرِ قَدْ قُدِّرَ لَهُ، فَيَسْتَخْرِجُ اللَّهُ بِهِ مِنَ الْبَخِيلِ، فَيُؤْتِي عَلَيْهِ مَا لَمْ يَكُنْ يُؤْتِي عَلَيْهِ مِنْ قَبْلُ ".
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah says, 'The vow, does not bring about for the son of Adam anything I have not decreed for him, but his vow may coincide with what has been decided for him, and by this way I cause a miser to spend of his wealth. So he gives Me (spends in charity) for the fulfillment of what has been decreed for him what he would not give Me before but for his vow."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 6694In-book reference : Book 83, Hadith 71USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 8, Book 78, Hadith 685
Summary of Sahih Bukhari Hadith 6694
This hadith about vows and Allah’s decree is very clear. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that Allah says a vow does not bring the son of Adam anything that was not already decreed for him. A vow may meet what has already been decided. In that case, Allah causes a miser to spend through it, so he gives what he would not have given before. The hadith teaches that vows should not be seen as a way to create a new destiny. A person may promise charity if something happens, but the event itself is not caused by the vow. The better way is to trust Allah and give sincerely.
What we learn from this hadith
- A vow does not bring anything outside Allah’s decree.
- A vow may coincide with what has already been decided.
- Allah may use a vow to make a miser give from his wealth.
- Charity should be given sincerely, not only after conditions are met.
