35/22. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3798 — Marketplace Honesty and Charity
Swearing Oaths And Lying When One Does Not Believe In What He Is Swearing About
Honesty in Trade: Mix Business with Charity
Sunan an-Nasai : 3798
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3798
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ، وَعَاصِمٍ، وَجَامِعٍ، عَنْ أَبِي وَائِلٍ، عَنْ قَيْسِ بْنِ أَبِي غَرَزَةَ، قَالَ كُنَّا نَبِيعُ بِالْبَقِيعِ فَأَتَانَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَكُنَّا نُسَمَّى السَّمَاسِرَةَ فَقَالَ " يَا مَعْشَرَ التُّجَّارِ " . فَسَمَّانَا بِاسْمٍ هُوَ خَيْرٌ مِنِ اسْمِنَا ثُمَّ قَالَ " إِنَّ هَذَا الْبَيْعَ يَحْضُرُهُ الْحَلِفُ وَالْكَذِبُ فَشُوبُوهُ بِالصَّدَقَةِ " .
Qais bin Abi Gharazah Narrated from:
We used to sell in Al-Baqi, and the Messenger of Allah came to us. We used to be called Samasir (brokers) but he said: 'O merchants!' And called us by a name that was better than our name. Then he said: 'This selling involves (false) oaths and lies, so mix some charity with it.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3798In-book reference : Book 35, Hadith 38English translation : Vol. 4, Book 35, Hadith 3829
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3798
This narration addresses sellers in Al-Baqi and gives a clear lesson about honesty in trade. They had been known as brokers, and the Messenger of Allah called them “merchants,” a name described as better. He then warned that selling can be attended by false oaths and lies. Because these dangers can enter business dealings, he instructed them to mix their trade with charity. The hadith does not excuse dishonest speech, and charity is not presented as permission to continue lying. Rather, merchants are made aware of the faults that can attach themselves to sales and are directed toward giving. For people searching for a hadith about merchants, false oaths, or charity in business, this text connects all three. Ethical trade requires careful speech, truthfulness, and a willingness to give from what one earns.
What we learn from this hadith
- Selling can expose a person to lies and false oaths.
- Merchants should be alert to the way they speak during transactions.
- Charity should accompany business activity.
- A respectful name was used for the sellers.
