1/55. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 123b — Charity and Family Ties Before Islam
Clarifying the ruling of the action of an unbeliever if he accepts Islam after it
Hadith About Charity Before Islam, Freeing Slaves, and Family Ties
Sahih Muslim : 123b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 123b
وَحَدَّثَنَا حَسَنٌ الْحُلْوَانِيُّ، وَعَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، - قَالَ الْحُلْوَانِيُّ حَدَّثَنَا وَقَالَ عَبْدٌ، حَدَّثَنِي - يَعْقُوبُ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ سَعْدٍ - حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، عَنْ صَالِحٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عُرْوَةُ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ، أَنَّ حَكِيمَ بْنَ حِزَامٍ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ، قَالَ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَىْ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَرَأَيْتَ أُمُورًا كُنْتُ أَتَحَنَّثُ بِهَا فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ مِنْ صَدَقَةٍ أَوْ عَتَاقَةٍ أَوْ صِلَةِ رَحِمٍ أَفِيهَا أَجْرٌ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَسْلَمْتَ عَلَى مَا أَسْلَفْتَ مِنْ خَيْرٍ " .
Hakim bin Hizam Narrated from:
Hakim b. Hizam reported to 'Urwa b. Zubair that he said to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ): Messenger of Allah, do you think if there is any reward (of the Lord with me on the Day of Resurrection) for the deeds of religious purification that I performed in the state of ignorance, such as charity, freeing a slave, cementing of blood-relations? Upon this he (the Messenger of Allah) said to him: You have accepted Islam with all the previous virtues that you had practised.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 123bIn-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 231USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 1, Hadith 223
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 123b
This narration gives more detail about Hakim b. Hizam’s question. He asked about charity, freeing a slave, and cementing blood-relations that he had done in the state of ignorance. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم replied that he had accepted Islam with all the previous virtues he had practised. This hadith about charity before Islam is gentle and clear. It shows that Islam values real acts of goodness, such as helping others and keeping family bonds. The hadith does not turn the past into a reason for pride. Instead, it turns it into a reason to move forward. The best reading is to keep doing good, now with faith and obedience.
What we learn from this hadith
- Charity, freeing slaves, and keeping family ties are named as good acts in this report.
- Hakim asked about reward instead of assuming it for himself.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم linked his Islam with the good he had already practised.
- A new Muslim can build on earlier good habits and keep doing them.
