30/1. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3614 — Do Not Delay Charity Until Death
It Is Disliked To Delay Making A Will
Charity Before Death: Give While the Choice Is Still Meaningful
Sunan an-Nasai : 3614
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3614
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا إِسْحَاقَ، سَمِعَ أَبَا حَبِيبَةَ الطَّائِيَّ، قَالَ أَوْصَى رَجُلٌ بِدَنَانِيرَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَسُئِلَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ فَحَدَّثَ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مَثَلُ الَّذِي يَعْتِقُ أَوْ يَتَصَدَّقُ عِنْدَ مَوْتِهِ مَثَلُ الَّذِي يُهْدِي بَعْدَ مَا يَشْبَعُ ".
Abu Habibah At-Ta'i Narrated from:
A man made a will leaving some Dinars (to be spent) in the cause of Allah. Abu Ad-Darda' was asked about that, and he narrated that the Prophet said: 'The likeness of the one who frees a slave or gives some charity when he is dying, is that of a man who gives a gift after he has eaten his fill.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3614In-book reference : Book 30, Hadith 4English translation : Vol. 4, Book 30, Hadith 3644
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3614
This hadith uses a simple comparison to warn against delaying generosity until death. A man had made a will assigning dinars for the cause of Allah, and Abu Ad-Darda related the Prophet's statement. A person who frees a slave or gives charity while dying is compared to someone who offers a gift only after eating until full. The comparison shows that the giver waited until personal use of the wealth was nearly over. The hadith does not say that the late act has no value. Its wording draws attention to the difference between giving earlier, when a person still wants and can use the wealth, and giving only when death makes continued possession impossible.
What we learn from this hadith
- Charity should not always be delayed until a person is dying.
- Giving earlier involves parting with wealth while it can still be personally used.
- The hadith compares deathbed charity to giving food only after becoming full.
- Planning charitable giving during life avoids unnecessary delay.
