29/2. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3602 — Giving What You Love
Endowments: How The Endowment Is To Be Recorded, And Mentioning The Differences Reported From Ibn 'A
Spend What You Love: Abu Talha's Charity to Relatives
Sunan an-Nasai : 3602
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3602
أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ نَافِعٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا بَهْزٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا ثَابِتٌ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ لَمَّا نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ { لَنْ تَنَالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتَّى تُنْفِقُوا مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ } قَالَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ إِنَّ رَبَّنَا لَيَسْأَلُنَا عَنْ أَمْوَالِنَا فَأُشْهِدُكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَنِّي قَدْ جَعَلْتُ أَرْضِي لِلَّهِ . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " اجْعَلْهَا فِي قَرَابَتِكَ فِي حَسَّانَ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ وَأُبَىِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ " .
Anas Narrated from:
When this Verse was revealed -'By no means shall you attain Al Birr (piety, righteousness--here it means Allah's reward, i.e. Paradise), unless you spend (in Allah's cause) of that which you love'- Abu Talha said: 'Our Lord will ask us about our wealth. I adjure you, O Messenger of Allah! I am giving my land to Allah.' The Messenger of Allah said: 'Make it for your relatives, Hassan bin Thabit and Ubayy bin Ka'b.'
[1] Āl 'Imrân 3:92.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3602In-book reference : Book 29, Hadith 9English translation : Vol. 4, Book 29, Hadith 3632
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3602
This hadith is about spending from what you love. When the verse about attaining righteousness by giving from cherished possessions was revealed, Abu Talha responded with action. He declared before the Messenger of Allah that he was giving his land for Allah. The Prophet then told him to place that charity among his relatives, specifically Hassan bin Thabit and Ubayy bin Ka'b. The hadith shows that charity does not have to come only from unwanted or leftover property. Abu Talha offered land that belonged to him in direct response to the verse. It also shows that giving to relatives can be a suitable use of valuable charitable property when guidance is given to do so.
What we learn from this hadith
- A person may give something valuable and loved rather than only unwanted possessions.
- Revelation should encourage sincere and practical action.
- Relatives can be suitable recipients of charity.
- Seeking the Prophet's direction helped Abu Talha place his charity wisely.
