12/50. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1071b — The Path Date and Sadaqa
Zakat is forbidden for the messenger of Allah pbuh and his family, and they are Banu Hashim and Banu Al-Muttalib, and no one else
Sadaqa Hadith: A Date on the Path and Careful Eating
Sahih Muslim : 1071b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1071b
وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنْ زَائِدَةَ، عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنْ طَلْحَةَ بْنِ مُصَرِّفٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَنَسُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَرَّ بِتَمْرَةٍ بِالطَّرِيقِ فَقَالَ " لَوْلاَ أَنْ تَكُونَ مِنَ الصَّدَقَةِ لأَكَلْتُهَا " .
Anas b. Malik reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) found a date lying on the path and said: If it were not out of Sadaqa, I would have eaten it.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1071bIn-book reference : Book 12, Hadith 216USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 5, Hadith 2345
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1071b
This narration from Anas b. Malik says that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم passed by a date on the path and said, "If it were not out of Sadaqa, I would have eaten it." The wording highlights the Prophet’s care with food whose source was not clear. The date was small, and it was found on the path, yet the possibility of sadaqa was enough for him not to eat it. This hadith is often searched as a hadith about doubtful food and sadaqa. Its lesson should be kept close to the wording: it is not about wasting food in general, but about avoiding what might be charity for one who does not eat it.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not eat the date because it might be sadaqa.
- The hadith shows care with a doubtful source of food.
- The wording focuses on a date found on the path.
- The lesson should not be stretched beyond the matter of possible sadaqa.
