30/9. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3665 — Why Providing Water Is a Great Charity
Mentioning The Different Reports From Sufyan
Giving Water in Charity: The Prophet's Direct Answer
Sunan an-Nasai : 3665
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3665
أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو عَمَّارٍ الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ حُرَيْثٍ، عَنْ وَكِيعٍ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ، قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَىُّ الصَّدَقَةِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ " سَقْىُ الْمَاءِ ".
Sa'd bin 'Ubadah Narrated from:
I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, what kind of charity is best?' He said: 'Providing drinking water.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3665In-book reference : Book 30, Hadith 55English translation : Vol. 4, Book 30, Hadith 3695
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3665
This giving water charity hadith is short, clear, and easy to remember. Sa'd bin 'Ubadah asked the Messenger of Allah which charity was best. The answer was: providing drinking water. The narration does not mention a deceased person in this wording, and it does not list other forms of charity. Its complete focus is Sa'd's question and the Prophet's direct reply. That makes the key message easy to apply without adding claims that the text does not contain. Water is presented here as a valued charity because the Prophet named it in answer to the question. Readers looking for the best charity hadith, water sadaqah, or a hadith about giving people a drink can use this report as a precise reference to the wording that was narrated.
What we learn from this hadith
- Sa'd asked a direct question about the best charity.
- The Prophet answered by naming the provision of drinking water.
- The narration should be understood without adding comparisons not found in its wording.
