30/7. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3650 — A Garden Given for a Deceased Mother
If A Person Dies Unexpectedly, It Is Recommended For His Family To Give Charity On His Behalf
Giving a Garden in Charity for a Deceased Mother
Sunan an-Nasai : 3650
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3650
أَنْبَأَنَا الْحَارِثُ بْنُ مِسْكِينٍ، قِرَاءَةً عَلَيْهِ وَأَنَا أَسْمَعُ، عَنِ ابْنِ الْقَاسِمِ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُرَحْبِيلَ بْنِ سَعِيدِ بْنِ سَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، قَالَ خَرَجَ سَعْدُ بْنُ عُبَادَةَ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي بَعْضِ مَغَازِيهِ وَحَضَرَتْ أُمَّهُ الْوَفَاةُ بِالْمَدِينَةِ فَقِيلَ لَهَا أَوْصِي. فَقَالَتْ فِيمَ أُوصِي الْمَالُ مَالُ سَعْدٍ. فَتُوُفِّيَتْ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَقْدَمَ سَعْدٌ فَلَمَّا قَدِمَ سَعْدٌ ذُكِرَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَلْ يَنْفَعُهَا أَنْ أَتَصَدَّقَ عَنْهَا فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " نَعَمْ ". فَقَالَ سَعْدٌ حَائِطُ كَذَا وَكَذَا صَدَقَةٌ عَنْهَا لِحَائِطٍ سَمَّاهُ.
It was narrated from Sa'eed bin 'Amr bin Shurahbil bin Sa'eed bin Sa'd bin 'Ubadah, from his father, that his grandfather said: "Sa'd bin 'Ubadah went out with the Prophet on one of his campaigns, and death came to his mother in Al-Madinah. It was said to her (as she was dying): 'Make a will.' She said: 'To whom shall I make a will? The wealth belongs to Sa'd.' Then she died before Sa'd came. When Sa'd came, he was told about that and he said: 'O Messenger of Allah, will it benefit her if I give in charity on her behalf?' The Prophet said: 'Yes.' Sa'd said: 'Such and such a garden is given in charity on her behalf' -regarding a garden that he named."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3650In-book reference : Book 30, Hadith 40English translation : Vol. 4, Book 30, Hadith 3680
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3650
This hadith tells how Sa’d bin Ubadah’s mother died in Madinah while he was away with the Prophet. She was asked to make a will, but she said that the wealth belonged to Sa’d, and she died before he returned. When Sa’d learned what had happened, he asked the Messenger of Allah whether giving charity on her behalf would benefit her. The Prophet answered, “Yes.” Sa’d then named a particular garden and gave it in charity for his mother. The hadith about charity for a deceased parent shows both the question and the practical action that followed. Sa’d did not leave the matter as a good thought. After receiving the answer, he selected real property and declared it as charity on her behalf.
What we learn from this hadith
- Charity may benefit a deceased mother, as the Prophet answered in this case.
- A person may give valuable property, such as a garden, in charity on a parent’s behalf.
- Seek guidance before acting when a family member dies without completing a will.
- Turn a good intention into a clear act, as Sa’d did by naming the garden.
