35/37. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3826 — Truthful Repentance
Giving Away One's Wealth Because Of A Vow
Truthfulness and Charity in Ka'b bin Malik's Repentance
Sunan an-Nasai : 3826
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3826
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مَعْدَانَ بْنِ عِيسَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ أَعْيَنَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مَعْقِلٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ كَعْبٍ، عَنْ عَمِّهِ، عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ كَعْبٍ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبِي كَعْبَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ، يُحَدِّثُ قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِنَّمَا نَجَّانِي بِالصِّدْقِ وَإِنَّ مِنْ تَوْبَتِي أَنْ أَنْخَلِعَ مِنْ مَالِي صَدَقَةً إِلَى اللَّهِ وَإِلَى رَسُولِهِ . فَقَالَ " أَمْسِكْ عَلَيْكَ بَعْضَ مَالِكَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ " . قُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أُمْسِكُ سَهْمِي الَّذِي بِخَيْبَرَ .
'Ubaydullah bin Ka'b Narrated from:
I heard my father Ka'b bin Malik narrate: 'I said: O Messenger of Allah, Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has saved me by my being truthful, and as part of my repentance I want to give my wealth in charity to Allah and His Messenger. He 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 3826In-book reference : Book 35, Hadith 66English translation : Vol. 4, Book 35, Hadith 3857
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3826
This narration places truthfulness at the center of Ka'b bin Malik's experience. He said that Allah had saved him through his being truthful. As part of his repentance, he then wanted to give his wealth in charity for Allah and His Messenger. The Messenger of Allah told him to keep some of his wealth for himself and said that this was better for him. Ka'b answered that he would keep his share in Khaibar. The hadith therefore joins three clear ideas found in its own wording: truthfulness, repentance, and measured charity. Ka'b recognized the value of telling the truth, wanted to respond with generous giving, and accepted advice not to give away everything. This hadith about truthfulness and charity shows a sincere response to repentance while still preserving part of one's property.
What we learn from this hadith
- Ka'b said that Allah saved him through truthfulness.
- He wanted charity to be part of his repentance.
- The Prophet advised him to keep some wealth.
- Ka'b retained his share in Khaibar.
