23/71. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 2566 — Warning Against Withholding Surplus
One Who Asks And Is Not Given
Hadith About Withholding Surplus from Someone Who Asks
Sunan an-Nasai : 2566
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 2566
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الْمُعْتَمِرُ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ بَهْزَ بْنَ حَكِيمٍ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " لاَ يَأْتِي رَجُلٌ مَوْلاَهُ يَسْأَلُهُ مِنْ فَضْلٍ عِنْدَهُ فَيَمْنَعُهُ إِيَّاهُ إِلاَّ دُعِيَ لَهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ شُجَاعٌ أَقْرَعُ يَتَلَمَّظُ فَضْلَهُ الَّذِي مَنَعَ " .
Bahz bin Hakim Narrated from:
Bahz bin Hakim narrated from his father that his grandfather said: "No man comes to his Mawla and asks him for something from the surplus of what he has, and he withholds it from him, but on the Day of Resurrection a bald-headed Shuja'a [1] will be called to him and will be licking the surplus that he withheld."
[1] Hydra or serpent, they say it means a male snake that is either bald, or white headed due to its poison.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 2566In-book reference : Book 23, Hadith 132English translation : Vol. 3, Book 23, Hadith 2567
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 2566
This hadith about withholding surplus speaks about a person who comes to his Mawla and asks from the extra that he has. If the person withholds it, the narration mentions a serious scene on the Day of Resurrection involving a bald-headed Shuja'a licking the surplus that was withheld. The hadith’s message is direct: extra blessings should not be held back when someone asks and help is possible. The text focuses on surplus, not on what a person needs for himself. It teaches that wealth and goods are a trust, and refusing needed help from excess carries a warning.
What we learn from this hadith
- The hadith warns against withholding surplus from someone who asks.
- The wording focuses on what is extra, not what a person needs.
- Having more than enough brings moral responsibility.
- Refusing help without care can lead to serious accountability.
