30/9. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3666 — A Lasting Water Charity for a Mother
Mentioning The Different Reports From Sufyan
Charity on Behalf of a Deceased Parent Through Drinking Water
Sunan an-Nasai : 3666
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3666
أَخْبَرَنِي إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ الْحَسَنِ، عَنْ حَجَّاجٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ شُعْبَةَ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ الْحَسَنَ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ سَعْدِ بْنِ عُبَادَةَ، أَنَّ أُمَّهُ، مَاتَتْ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ أُمِّي مَاتَتْ أَفَأَتَصَدَّقُ عَنْهَا قَالَ " نَعَمْ ". قَالَ فَأَىُّ الصَّدَقَةِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ " سَقْىُ الْمَاءِ ". فَتِلْكَ سِقَايَةُ سَعْدٍ بِالْمَدِينَةِ.
Sa'd bin 'Ubadah Narrated from:
It was narrated from Sa'd bin 'Ubadah that his mother died. He said: "O Messenger of Allah, my mother has died; can I give charity on her behalf?" He said: "Yes." He said: "What kind of charity is best?" He said: "Providing drinking water." And that is the drinking-fountain of Sa'd in Al-Madinah.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3666In-book reference : Book 30, Hadith 56English translation : Vol. 4, Book 30, Hadith 3696
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3666
This hadith explains charity on behalf of a deceased parent through Sa'd bin 'Ubadah's question. After his mother died, he asked the Messenger of Allah whether he could give charity for her. The Prophet said yes. Sa'd then asked which charity was best, and he was told to provide drinking water. The narration adds that the drinking-fountain of Sa'd in Al-Madinah was connected with this act. This final detail shows that the answer was followed by a real provision of water. The text does not state how long it remained or make further promises about it, so those ideas should not be added. Its message is practical: Sa'd sought permission, received a clear answer, and supported access to drinking water in his mother's name.
What we learn from this hadith
- Charity on behalf of Sa'd's deceased mother was approved.
- Providing drinking water was named as the best charity in the exchange.
- The narration links Sa'd with a drinking-fountain in Al-Madinah.
