35/36. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3822 — Itikaf Vow
If A Person Makes A Vow Then Becomes Muslim Before Fulfilling It
Hadith on a Day-Long Itikaf Vow
Sunan an-Nasai : 3822
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3822
أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ الْحَكَمِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عُبَيْدَ اللَّهِ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ عُمَرَ، كَانَ جَعَلَ عَلَيْهِ يَوْمًا يَعْتَكِفُهُ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ فَسَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَأَمَرَهُ أَنْ يَعْتَكِفَهُ .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
'Umar had vowed -during the Jahiliyyah- to spend a day in 'Itikaf. He asked the Messenger of Allah about that, and he commanded him to perform the 'Itikaf.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3822In-book reference : Book 35, Hadith 62English translation : Vol. 4, Book 35, Hadith 3853
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3822
This hadith describes Umar's vow to spend a day in Itikaf. The vow had been made during the Jahiliyyah, and Umar later asked the Messenger of Allah about it. The Prophet commanded him to perform the Itikaf. The wording highlights a full day rather than a night, so the details of the promise matter in this narration. Its core message is that Umar did not dismiss the old vow or act without asking. He sought direction and then received an order to complete the worship he had promised. As a hadith about fulfilling vows, it teaches care with one's commitments and respect for guidance. It also gives a clear example of a day of Itikaf being the specific act named in the vow, without adding conditions that are not found in the report.
What we learn from this hadith
- Fulfill a lawful vow when instructed to do so.
- Seek guidance instead of guessing about a past vow.
- The specific promise in this report was one day of Itikaf.
- Umar responded to the matter by asking the Messenger of Allah.
