26/1. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1638a — Fulfilling a Vow on Behalf of One’s Mother
The Command To Fulfill Vows
Hadith About Fulfilling a Vow: Serving a Deceased Parent’s Duty
Sahih Muslim : 1638a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1638a
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى التَّمِيمِيُّ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رُمْحِ بْنِ الْمُهَاجِرِ، قَالاَ أَخْبَرَنَا اللَّيْثُ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا لَيْثٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنِ ابْنِ، عَبَّاسٍ أَنَّهُ قَالَ اسْتَفْتَى سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي نَذْرٍ كَانَ عَلَى أُمِّهِ تُوُفِّيَتْ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَقْضِيَهُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " فَاقْضِهِ عَنْهَا" .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
Sa'd b. Ubida asked Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) for a decision about a vow taken by his mother who had died before fulfilling it. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Fulfil it on her behalf.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1638aIn-book reference : Book 26, Hadith 1USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 14, Hadith 4017
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1638a
This hadith about fulfilling a vow is short and practical. Sa’d ibn Ubada asked Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) about a vow that his mother had taken, but she died before completing it. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) answered, “Fulfil it on her behalf.” The report does not tell us the type of vow, so the explanation should not guess. Its direct lesson is that a son asked about an unfinished vow of his mother, and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) told him to carry it out for her. For people searching “can I fulfill a vow for my deceased parent,” this hadith gives a clear text-based answer in this case: the Prophet instructed Sa’d to fulfill the vow on her behalf.
What we learn from this hadith
- A vow left unfulfilled by a deceased mother was treated as a matter to ask about.
- The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) told Sa’d to fulfill it on her behalf.
- The text does not specify the vow, so we should not guess its details.
- A child may seek guidance about duties connected to a parent.
