12/35. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1042a — Work, Charity, and Self-Reliance
It is disliked to beg from people
Hadith About Self-Reliance, Work, and Charity
Sahih Muslim : 1042a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1042a
حَدَّثَنِي هَنَّادُ بْنُ السَّرِيِّ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ بَيَانٍ أَبِي بِشْرٍ، عَنْ قَيْسِ بْنِ، أَبِي حَازِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " لأَنْ يَغْدُوَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَيَحْطِبَ عَلَى ظَهْرِهِ فَيَتَصَدَّقَ بِهِ وَيَسْتَغْنِيَ بِهِ مِنَ النَّاسِ خَيْرٌ لَهُ مِنْ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ رَجُلاً أَعْطَاهُ أَوْ مَنَعَهُ ذَلِكَ فَإِنَّ الْيَدَ الْعُلْيَا أَفْضَلُ مِنَ الْيَدِ السُّفْلَى وَابْدَأْ بِمَنْ تَعُولُ " .
Abu Huraira is reported to have heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: It is better for one among you to bring a load of firewood on his back and give charity out of it (and satisfy his own need) and be independent of people, than that he should beg from people, whether they give him anything or refuse him. Verily the upper hand is better than the lower hand, and begin (charity) with your dependents.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1042aIn-book reference : Book 12, Hadith 137USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 5, Hadith 2267
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1042a
This hadith about self-reliance gives a practical and honorable picture. The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) says it is better for one of you to carry firewood on his back, give charity from it, and become independent of people than to beg from someone who may give or refuse. The example is simple work, but the meaning is strong. Honest effort protects dignity and can even become a way to give charity. The hadith also repeats that the upper hand is better than the lower hand and says to begin with dependents. So the teaching joins work, charity, independence, and family responsibility. It encourages a person to seek lawful effort before turning to people’s hands.
What we learn from this hadith
- Honest work is better than unnecessary begging.
- A person can earn, meet his needs, and give charity.
- The giving hand is better than the asking hand.
- Care for dependents should come first.
