35b/45: Chapter
Sunan an-Nasai 3869 — Give Land to a Needy Brother
Mentioning The Differing Hadiths Regarding The Prohibition Of Leasing Out Land In Return For One Third, Or One Quarter Of The Harvest And The Different Wordings Reported By The Narrators
Hadith About Giving Land: Help a Needy Brother Instead of Renting
Sunan an-Nasai : 3869
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3869
أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْرَائِيلُ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ مُهَاجِرٍ، عَنْ مُجَاهِدٍ، عَنْ رَافِعِ بْنِ خَدِيجٍ، قَالَ مَرَّ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَى أَرْضِ رَجُلٍ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ قَدْ عَرَفَ أَنَّهُ مُحْتَاجٌ فَقَالَ " لِمَنْ هَذِهِ الأَرْضُ ". قَالَ لِفُلاَنٍ أَعْطَانِيهَا بِالأَجْرِ. فَقَالَ " لَوْ مَنَحَهَا أَخَاهُ ". فَأَتَى رَافِعٌ الأَنْصَارَ فَقَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم نَهَاكُمْ عَنْ أَمْرٍ كَانَ لَكُمْ نَافِعًا وَطَاعَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْفَعُ لَكُمْ.
Rafi' bin Khadij Narrated from:
The Prophet passed by the land of a man from among the Ansar who he knew was in need and said: 'Whose is this land?' He said: 'So and so's; he has given it to us in return for rent.' He said: 'Why did he not give it to his brother?'" Rafi' came to the Ansar and said: "The Messenger of Allah has forbidden something for you which was beneficial, but obedience to the command of the Messenger of Allah is more beneficial for you."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3869In-book reference : Book 35b, Hadith 13English translation : Vol. 4, Book 35, Hadith 3900
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3869
This hadith about giving land describes the Prophet passing by land being used by a needy man from the Ansar. When he asks who owns it, he is told that another person gave it to them for rent. The Prophet responds by asking why the owner did not give it to his brother. Rafi bin Khadij then tells the Ansar that the Messenger of Allah had forbidden an arrangement that seemed beneficial, but obedience to his command was more beneficial. The text highlights a real need and points toward generosity in allowing another person to use land. It does not state a broad promise of reward or add conditions beyond the event. Its message stays with helping a brother and obeying the Prophet’s direction.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet noticed the need of the person using the land.
- He asked why the owner had not given the land to his brother instead of charging rent.
- Helping a needy brother is highlighted in the use of land.
- Obedience to the Messenger of Allah is described as more beneficial than the former arrangement.
