12/20. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1016d — Seek Refuge and Give What You Can
Encouragement to give charity even if it is with half a date or a kind word. And charity is a shield against the fire.
Hadith About Sadaqah and Pleasant Words
Sahih Muslim : 1016d
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1016d
وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، وَابْنُ، بَشَّارٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ مُرَّةَ، عَنْ خَيْثَمَةَ، عَنْ عَدِيِّ بْنِ حَاتِمٍ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ ذَكَرَ النَّارَ فَتَعَوَّذَ مِنْهَا وَأَشَاحَ بِوَجْهِهِ ثَلاَثَ مِرَارٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ " اتَّقُوا النَّارَ وَلَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَةٍ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَجِدُوا فَبِكَلِمَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ " .
`Adi bin Hatim Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) made a mention of the Fire and sought refuge (with Allah against it). He turned aside his face three times and then said: Protect yourselves against Fire even if with half a date. But if you fail to find it (then protect yourselves against Fire) with the help of a pleasant word).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1016dIn-book reference : Book 12, Hadith 87USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 5, Hadith 2218
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1016d
This hadith about sadaqah and pleasant words gives a strong warning with a gentle practical step. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم mentioned the Fire, sought refuge from it, and turned his face aside three times. Then he told people to protect themselves from the Fire, even with half a date. If someone could not find even that, then a pleasant word was mentioned. The hadith keeps the path of good open for everyone. A person with food can give, and a person with no food can still speak kindly. It teaches that charity in Islam is not only about size. It is also about readiness to do whatever good is possible and to take the warning of the Fire seriously.
What we learn from this hadith
- Seeking refuge from the Fire is linked here with doing good deeds.
- A small gift like half a date can still be part of sincere charity.
- Pleasant words are mentioned as a good action when a person has nothing material to give.
