35/37. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3825 — Balanced Charity
Giving Away One's Wealth Because Of A Vow
Keep Some of Your Wealth: Ka'b bin Malik's Hadith
Sunan an-Nasai : 3825
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3825
أَخْبَرَنَا يُوسُفُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَجَّاجُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا لَيْثُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عُقَيْلٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ كَعْبٍ، أَنَّ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ كَعْبِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ كَعْبَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ، يُحَدِّثُ حَدِيثَهُ حِينَ تَخَلَّفَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي غَزْوَةِ تَبُوكَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ مِنْ تَوْبَتِي أَنْ أَنْخَلِعَ مِنْ مَالِي صَدَقَةً إِلَى اللَّهِ وَإِلَى رَسُولِهِ . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَمْسِكْ عَلَيْكَ مَالَكَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ " . قُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أُمْسِكُ عَلَىَّ سَهْمِي الَّذِي بِخَيْبَرَ .
'Abdullah bin Ka'b bin Malik 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) I said: 'As part of my repentance I want to give my wealth in charity for 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 for myself my share that is in Khaibar.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3825In-book reference : Book 35, Hadith 65English translation : Vol. 4, Book 35, Hadith 3856
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3825
This hadith tells how Ka'b bin Malik spoke about the time he stayed behind from the campaign to Tabuk. As part of his repentance, he wanted to give his wealth in charity for Allah and His Messenger. The Messenger of Allah replied that keeping his wealth was better for him. Ka'b then said that he would keep his share in Khaibar. The report gives a clear lesson about charity and personal property. Ka'b's willingness to give was strong, but he was not directed to leave himself with nothing. His final choice followed the Prophet's advice and named the part he would retain. For someone searching for the keep some of your wealth hadith, this narration shows that sincere repentance and generous giving do not require a person to dispose of every asset mentioned in the report.
What we learn from this hadith
- Ka'b wanted charity to be part of his repentance.
- He was advised not to give away all of his property.
- The guidance favored keeping wealth for himself.
- Ka'b identified his Khaibar share as the property he would retain.
