37/8. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 4129 — Wealth and Giving
The most wealthy
Hadith About Wealth and Spending in Good Ways
Sunan Ibn Majah : 4129
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 4129
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَأَبُو كُرَيْبٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا بَكْرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، حَدَّثَنَا عِيسَى بْنُ الْمُخْتَارِ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي لَيْلَى، عَنْ عَطِيَّةَ الْعَوْفِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ أَنَّهُ قَالَ " وَيْلٌ لِلْمُكْثِرِينَ إِلاَّ مَنْ قَالَ بِالْمَالِ هَكَذَا وَهَكَذَا وَهَكَذَا وَهَكَذَا " . أَرْبَعٌ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ وَعَنْ شِمَالِهِ وَمِنْ قُدَّامِهِ وَمِنْ وَرَائِهِ .
Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Woe to the most wealthy except those who do such and such with the money, and such and such” – four things, (pointing) to his right, to his left, in front of him and behind him.
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 4129In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 30English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4129
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 4129
This hadith gives a warning about great wealth when it is not used properly. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said woe to the most wealthy, except those who do such and such with their money. The narration describes four directions: right, left, front, and behind. The meaning within the text is that wealth should not remain locked to the owner alone. It should be used and given out widely. This hadith about wealth and charity does not say that having money is always blameworthy. It makes an exception for the wealthy person who uses money in giving. The key message is that wealth brings responsibility, and spending it well changes how it is viewed.
What we learn from this hadith
- Great wealth carries a serious warning when it is not used well.
- The exception is for those who spend their money widely.
- Money should not make a person closed-handed.
- The hadith links wealth with responsibility and giving.
