23/76. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 2571 — Who Is Truly Poor
Meaning Of Al-Miskin (The Poor)
Hadith About the Poor Person Who Does Not Ask
Sunan an-Nasai : 2571
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 2571
أَخْبَرَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ حُجْرٍ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شَرِيكٌ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لَيْسَ الْمِسْكِينُ الَّذِي تَرُدُّهُ التَّمْرَةُ وَالتَّمْرَتَانِ وَاللُّقْمَةُ وَاللُّقْمَتَانِ إِنَّ الْمِسْكِينَ الْمُتَعَفِّفُ اقْرَءُوا إِنْ شِئْتُمْ { لاَ يَسْأَلُونَ النَّاسَ إِلْحَافًا } " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The messenger of Allah said: "The poor man (Miskin) is not the one who leaves if you give him a date or two, or a morsel or two. Rather the poor man is the one who refrains from asking. Recite if you wish: "They do not beg of people at all."'
[1] Al-Baqarah 2:273.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 2571In-book reference : Book 23, Hadith 137English translation : Vol. 3, Book 23, Hadith 2572
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 2571
This hadith about the poor person changes how people think about poverty. The Prophet said the poor man is not simply the one who leaves after being given a date or two, or a morsel or two. Rather, the poor man is the one who refrains from asking. The hadith then points to the verse meaning that they do not beg people persistently. The main lesson is that some needy people may not show their need openly. They may avoid asking out of dignity. This teaches Muslims to look beyond loud requests and pay attention to quiet need.
What we learn from this hadith
- A needy person may refrain from asking people.
- Poverty is not always visible through open begging.
- Small handouts do not define the true meaning of Miskin here.
- The hadith encourages awareness of people who hide their need.
