29/3. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3603 — Preserve the Land, Donate Its Fruits
Endowment Benefiting Everyone
Waqf Charity: Keep the Property and Donate Its Fruits
Sunan an-Nasai : 3603
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3603
أَخْبَرَنَا سَعِيدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ قَالَ عُمَرُ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِنَّ الْمِائَةَ سَهْمٍ الَّتِي لِي بِخَيْبَرَ لَمْ أُصِبْ مَالاً قَطُّ أَعْجَبَ إِلَىَّ مِنْهَا قَدْ أَرَدْتُ أَنْ أَتَصَدَّقَ بِهَا . فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " احْبِسْ أَصْلَهَا وَسَبِّلْ ثَمَرَتَهَا " .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
Umar said to the Prophet: 'The one hundred shares that I acquired in Khaibar -I have never acquired any wealth that I like more than that, and I want to give it in charity.' The Prophet said: Freeze it and donate its fruits.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3603In-book reference : Book 29, Hadith 10English translation : Vol. 4, Book 29, Hadith 3633
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3603
This short hadith presents the main idea of waqf in very direct words. Umar owned one hundred shares in Khaibar and said that he had never acquired wealth he liked more. Even though the property was very dear to him, he wanted to give it in charity. The Prophet instructed him to preserve the original property and donate its fruits. This meant that the land or shares would remain in place while what they produced would be made available for charitable use. The hadith shows a planned form of giving that does not use up the original asset. Instead, the asset continues producing benefits that can be donated over time.
What we learn from this hadith
- Loved and valuable property may be dedicated to charity.
- The original asset can be preserved while its produce is donated.
- A productive charitable asset can continue benefiting others over time.
- Umar consulted the Prophet before deciding how to give his property.
