12/37. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1045d — Accepting What Comes Without Asking
It is permissible to take without asking for it or hoping for it
Hadith About Accepting Gifts Without Asking
Sahih Muslim : 1045d
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1045d
حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا لَيْثٌ، عَنْ بُكَيْرٍ، عَنْ بُسْرِ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ السَّاعِدِيِّ، الْمَالِكِيِّ أَنَّهُ قَالَ اسْتَعْمَلَنِي عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ - رضى الله عنه - عَلَى الصَّدَقَةِ فَلَمَّا فَرَغْتُ مِنْهَا وَأَدَّيْتُهَا إِلَيْهِ أَمَرَ لِي بِعُمَالَةٍ فَقُلْتُ إِنَّمَا عَمِلْتُ لِلَّهِ وَأَجْرِي عَلَى اللَّهِ . فَقَالَ خُذْ مَا أُعْطِيتَ فَإِنِّي عَمِلْتُ عَلَى عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَعَمَّلَنِي فَقُلْتُ مِثْلَ قَوْلِكَ فَقَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِذَا أُعْطِيتَ شَيْئًا مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ تَسْأَلَ فَكُلْ وَتَصَدَّقْ " .
Ibn al-Sa'di Maliki reported: 'Umar b. Khattab (Allah be pleased with him) appointed me as a collector of Sadaqa. When I had finished that (the task assigned to me) and I handed over that to him (to 'Umar), he commanded me to (accept) some remuneration (for the work). I said: I performed this duty for Allah and my reward is with Allah. He said: Take whatever has been given to you, for I also performed this duty during the time of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). He assigned me the task of a collector and I said as you say, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me: When you are given anything without your begging for it, (then accept it), eat it and give it in charity.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1045dIn-book reference : Book 12, Hadith 145USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 5, Hadith 2275
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1045d
This hadith about accepting gifts without asking gives a balanced lesson about sincerity, work, and money. Ibn al-Sa'di was appointed by Umar as a collector of Sadaqah. After finishing the duty, Umar ordered that he receive payment for the work. Ibn al-Sa'di said he had worked for Allah and wanted his reward from Allah. Umar then shared that he had said the same thing when he worked during the time of the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم taught him that when a person is given something without asking for it, he may accept it, eat from it, and give in charity. The message is simple: refusing all lawful payment is not always required, especially when it comes without begging.
What we learn from this hadith
- A person may accept what is given without begging for it.
- Lawful earnings can be used for personal need and charity.
- Working for Allah does not mean one must always reject fair payment.
- Sincere intention and proper use of wealth can go together.
