37/16. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 4177 — Prophetic Humility in Helping Others
Freedom from arrogance, and having humility
Hadith About Prophetic Humility and Helping the Needy
Sunan Ibn Majah : 4177
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 4177
حَدَّثَنَا نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الصَّمَدِ، وَسَلْمُ بْنُ قُتَيْبَةَ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ إِنْ كَانَتِ الأَمَةُ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْمَدِينَةِ لَتَأْخُذُ بِيَدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فَمَا يَنْزِعُ يَدَهُ مِنْ يَدِهَا حَتَّى تَذْهَبَ بِهِ حَيْثُ شَاءَتْ مِنَ الْمَدِينَةِ فِي حَاجَتِهَا .
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
If a female slave among the people of Al-Madinah were to take the hand of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), he would not take his hand away from hers until she had taken him wherever she wanted in Al-Madinah so that her needs may be met.”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 4177In-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 78English translation : Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4177
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 4177
This hadith about prophetic humility shows the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم serving someone with very low social status. Anas said that if a female slave from the people of Madinah took the Prophet’s hand, he would not pull his hand away from hers until she had taken him wherever she wanted in Madinah so her need could be met. The narration does not need extra decoration. It shows patience, care, and readiness to help. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not act too important to respond to her need. For anyone searching for a hadith about helping others, this report gives a living example of humility: giving time, attention, and help to someone who needs it.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم showed patience with a person seeking help.
- Humble service includes giving time to meet someone’s need.
- Social status did not stop the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم from helping.
- A believer should not be too proud to assist the needy.
