23/83. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 2584 — Work Is Better Than Begging
Asking For Help
Hadith About Working Instead of Begging
Sunan an-Nasai : 2584
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 2584
أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو دَاوُدَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، عَنْ صَالِحٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، أَنَّ أَبَا عُبَيْدٍ، مَوْلَى عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَزْهَرَ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ، سَمِعَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ، يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لأَنْ يَحْتَزِمَ أَحَدُكُمْ حُزْمَةَ حَطَبٍ عَلَى ظَهْرِهِ فَيَبِيعَهَا خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ رَجُلاً فَيُعْطِيَهُ أَوْ يَمْنَعَهُ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said: 'if one of you were to carry a bundle of firewood on his back and sell it, that would be better than asking a man who may or may not give him something.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 2584In-book reference : Book 23, Hadith 150English translation : Vol. 3, Book 23, Hadith 2585
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 2584
This hadith about working instead of begging gives a direct lesson about dignity and effort. The Prophet said that carrying a bundle of firewood on one’s back and selling it is better than asking a man for help, because that man may either give or refuse. The example is simple: even hard work that looks small is better than making oneself dependent on people when one can work. The hadith does not shame genuine need; it teaches the value of earning and avoiding unnecessary asking. For people searching for a hadith about self-reliance in Islam, this narration shows that honest effort, even humble work, is better than relying on uncertain gifts from others.
What we learn from this hadith
- Honest work is better than unnecessary begging.
- A person should try to earn before depending on people.
- Even humble work carries dignity when it keeps a person from asking.
