22/8. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1566c — Selling Excess Water
The prohibition of selling surplus water which is in the wilderness and is needed to take care of the pasture. The prohibition of not allowing others to use it. The prohibition of Stud fees
Hadith on Selling Excess Water and Pasture Access
Sahih Muslim : 1566c
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1566c
وَحَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عُثْمَانَ النَّوْفَلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَاصِمٍ الضَّحَّاكُ بْنُ مَخْلَدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ جُرَيْجٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي زِيَادُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، أَنَّ هِلاَلَ بْنَ أُسَامَةَ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ أَبَا سَلَمَةَ بْنَ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ، سَمِعَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ يُبَاعُ فَضْلُ الْمَاءِ لِيُبَاعَ بِهِ الْكَلأُ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: The excess of water should not be sold in order to enable the sate of herbage.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1566cIn-book reference : Book 22, Hadith 47USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 10, Hadith 3802
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1566c
This Hadith about selling excess water focuses on a clear business matter. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that surplus water should not be sold in order to enable the sale of herbage. The wording shows a link between water and pasture. If someone controls water, they may also control access to the grass that grows because of it. The Hadith warns against turning that need into unfair gain. It does not give a long ruling on every kind of water sale, so the explanation should stay close to the text. The core message is that needed surplus water must not become a way to block or control pasture benefit.
What we learn from this hadith
- Excess water should not be sold as a way to control herbage.
- Business dealings should not be built on blocking needed benefit.
- The Hadith links water access with pasture access.
- Islam teaches fairness when resources affect others.
