35/41. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3849 — No Vow Over What You Do Not Own
Expiation For Vows
Vows About What You Do Not Own or Control
Sunan an-Nasai : 3849
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3849
أَخْبَرَنَا يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا هُشَيْمٌ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا مَنْصُورٌ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، عَنْ عِمْرَانَ بْنِ حُصَيْنٍ، قَالَ قَالَ يَعْنِي النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ نَذْرَ لاِبْنِ آدَمَ فِيمَا لاَ يَمْلِكُ وَلاَ فِي مَعْصِيَةِ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ " . خَالَفَهُ عَلِيُّ بْنُ زَيْدٍ فَرَوَاهُ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ سَمُرَةَ .
'Imran bin Husain Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said: "There is no vow for the son of Adam with regard to that which he does not possess, or to do an act of disobedience to Allah, the Mighty and Sublime." 'Ali bin Zaid contradicted him -for he reported it from Al-Hasan from 'Abdur-Rahman bin Samurah.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3849In-book reference : Book 35, Hadith 89English translation : Vol. 4, Book 35, Hadith 3880
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3849
This hadith names two kinds of vows that are not valid to carry out. The first concerns something the son of Adam does not possess. The second is a vow to commit disobedience to Allah. The wording places a clear limit on personal promises: a person cannot make a binding vow over what is not his, and a vow cannot be used to justify sin. The translation also notes that Ali bin Zaid reported the narration through a different Companion. That is a transmission detail included in the text. For readers searching for a vow about property not owned, a vow beyond one’s control, or a sinful vow in Islam, the central lesson is to promise only what is right and truly within one’s possession.
What we learn from this hadith
- A person should not vow concerning what he does not possess.
- A vow to disobey Allah is not valid to fulfill.
- Promises have limits based on ownership and obedience.
- The translation records a difference in the chain of narration.
