35/37. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3824 — Balanced Charity
Giving Away One's Wealth Because Of A Vow
Ka'b bin Malik's Repentance and Balanced Charity
Sunan an-Nasai : 3824
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3824
أَخْبَرَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ دَاوُدَ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، عَنْ يُونُسَ، قَالَ قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ فَأَخْبَرَنِي عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ كَعْبِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ كَعْبٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ كَعْبَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ، يُحَدِّثُ حَدِيثَهُ حِينَ تَخَلَّفَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي غَزْوَةِ تَبُوكَ قَالَ فَلَمَّا جَلَسْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ مِنْ تَوْبَتِي أَنْ أَنْخَلِعَ مِنْ مَالِي صَدَقَةً إِلَى اللَّهِ وَإِلَى رَسُولِهِ . قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَمْسِكْ عَلَيْكَ بَعْضَ مَالِكَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ " . فَقُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أُمْسِكُ سَهْمِي الَّذِي بِخَيْبَرَ . مُخْتَصَرٌ .
`Abdullah bin Ka`b Narrated from:
I heard Ka'b bin Malik narrating his Hadith about when he stayed behind and did not join the Messenger of Allah on the campaign to Tabuk. He said: 'When I sat down before him I said: O Messenger of Allah, as part of my repentance I want to give my wealth in charity to Allah and His Messenger." The Messenger of Allah said: "Keep some of your wealth for yourself; that is better for you." I said: "I will keep my share that is in Khaibar."'"
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3824In-book reference : Book 35, Hadith 64English translation : Vol. 4, Book 35, Hadith 3855
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3824
This narration connects repentance, charity, and balanced use of wealth. Ka'b bin Malik spoke about staying behind from the campaign to Tabuk. When he sat before the Messenger of Allah, he said that part of his repentance would be to give away his wealth in charity for Allah and His Messenger. The Prophet told him to keep some of his wealth because that was better for him. Ka'b then said he would keep his share in Khaibar. The hadith does not reject charity. It shows that Ka'b's desire to give was sincere, while the Prophet guided him not to part with everything. The stated result was practical: he retained a named portion of his property. This hadith about charity after repentance therefore teaches generosity with restraint, based only on the details given in the report.
What we learn from this hadith
- Ka'b linked his wish to give charity with his repentance.
- The Prophet advised him to keep some of his wealth.
- Keeping a portion was described as better for him.
- Ka'b chose to retain his share in Khaibar.
