Sunan an-Nasai 3656 — Freeing a Slave for a Mother’s Vow

Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3656

This hadith concerns a vow that remained unfulfilled when Sa’d bin Ubadah’s mother died. Sa’d asks the Prophet whether freeing a slave on her behalf would be enough. The Prophet gives a direct instruction: “Free a slave on behalf of your mother.” The core topic is fulfilling a deceased mother’s vow through the specific act approved in the narration. The hadith does not explain the original wording of her vow or give a general list of substitutes for vows. It only records Sa’d’s question and the Prophet’s answer in this case. A careful explanation should therefore stay with what is stated. Sa’d did not assume that his proposed action was sufficient. He asked first, and the Prophet confirmed that he should free a slave on his mother’s behalf.