12/35. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1042b — Selling Firewood Is Better Than Begging
It is disliked to beg from people
Hadith About Selling Firewood Instead of Begging
Sahih Muslim : 1042b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1042b
وَحَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنِي قَيْسُ بْنُ، أَبِي حَازِمٍ قَالَ أَتَيْنَا أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ فَقَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " وَاللَّهِ لأَنْ يَغْدُوَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَيَحْطِبَ عَلَى ظَهْرِهِ فَيَبِيعَهُ " . ثُمَّ ذَكَرَ بِمِثْلِ حَدِيثِ بَيَانٍ .
Qais b. Abu Hizam reported: We came to Abu Huraira and he told Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) having said this: By Allah, (it is better) that one among you should go and bring a load of firewood on his back and he should sell it, and the rest of the hadith was narrated (like the previous one).
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1042bIn-book reference : Book 12, Hadith 138USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 5, Hadith 2268
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1042b
This narration continues the hadith about self-reliance and avoiding begging. Qais b. Abu Hizam reports that they came to Abu Huraira, who narrated from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). The wording says that, by Allah, it is better for one of you to go and bring a load of firewood on his back and sell it. Then the rest of the hadith was narrated like the previous one. This keeps the same lesson clear: a person should prefer honest effort over asking people. Even simple work is honored when it protects a person from dependence. The hadith also connects this with the wider message that the upper hand is better and that dependents should be cared for first.
What we learn from this hadith
- Selling firewood is given as an example of honorable effort.
- Simple work is better than unnecessary asking.
- The narration supports the teaching of self-reliance.
- The wider message includes giving and caring for dependents.
