23/76. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 2573 — Recognizing the Miskin
Meaning Of Al-Miskin (The Poor)
Hadith About Recognizing the Miskin
Sunan an-Nasai : 2573
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 2573
أَخْبَرَنَا نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الأَعْلَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لَيْسَ الْمِسْكِينُ الَّذِي تَرُدُّهُ الأُكْلَةُ وَالأُكْلَتَانِ وَالتَّمْرَةُ وَالتَّمْرَتَانِ " . قَالُوا فَمَا الْمِسْكِينُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ " الَّذِي لاَ يَجِدُ غِنًى وَلاَ يَعْلَمُ النَّاسُ حَاجَتَهُ فَيُتَصَدَّقَ عَلَيْهِ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said: "The poor man (Miskin) is not the one who leaves if you give him a morsel or two, or a date or two." They said: "Then who is the Miskin, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "The one who does not possess independence of means, and the people do not know of his need, so that they could give him charity."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 2573In-book reference : Book 23, Hadith 139English translation : Vol. 3, Book 23, Hadith 2574
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 2573
This hadith about Miskin explains that the poor person is not only the one who leaves after receiving a morsel or two, or a date or two. When the companions asked who the Miskin is, the Prophet said it is the one who does not possess independence of means, and people do not know his need so that they could give him charity. The message is clear and practical. Poverty can be quiet. Need may exist behind dignity and silence. The hadith teaches that charity should not only react to people who ask loudly. It should also seek those whose hardship is not known.
What we learn from this hadith
- A person may be poor even if he does not ask openly.
- People may fail to give because they do not know someone’s need.
- The hadith gives a careful definition of Miskin.
- Charity should include attention to quiet hardship.
