23/87. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 2592 — Asking While Having Enough
What Is Meant By Independence Of Means
Hadith About Asking While Having Enough
Sunan an-Nasai : 2592
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 2592
أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ آدَمَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ الثَّوْرِيُّ، عَنْ حَكِيمِ بْنِ جُبَيْرٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ سَأَلَ وَلَهُ مَا يُغْنِيهِ جَاءَتْ خُمُوشًا أَوْ كُدُوحًا فِي وَجْهِهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ " . قِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَاذَا يُغْنِيهِ أَوْ مَاذَا أَغْنَاهُ قَالَ " خَمْسُونَ دِرْهَمًا أَوْ حِسَابُهَا مِنَ الذَّهَبِ " . قَالَ يَحْيَى قَالَ سُفْيَانُ وَسَمِعْتُ زُبَيْدًا يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ .
'Abdullah bin Mas'ud Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said: 'Whoever asks when he has enough to make him independent of means will have lacerations on his face on the Day of Resurrection.' It was said: 'O Messenger of Allah, what would make him independent of means?' He said: 'Fifty Dirhams or its equivalent of gold.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 2592In-book reference : Book 23, Hadith 158English translation : Vol. 3, Book 23, Hadith 2593
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 2592
This hadith about asking while having enough gives both a warning and a measure mentioned in the narration. The Prophet said that whoever asks when he has enough to make him independent of means will come with lacerations on his face on the Day of Resurrection. When asked what amount would make him independent, he said fifty dirhams or its equivalent in gold. The main lesson is not to ask when one already has enough. The hadith connects unnecessary begging with loss of honor in the Hereafter. It also shows that the Companions asked for clarification, and the Prophet gave an answer tied to the wording of that situation.
What we learn from this hadith
- Asking while having enough is strongly warned against.
- The hadith mentions fifty dirhams or its equivalent in gold as a measure.
- A person should check his own means before asking others.
