36/2. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3943 — Equal Time and Honest Dua
A Man Being Inclined To Favor One Of His Wives Over Another
Equal Time Between Wives and the Prophet’s Dua for Fairness
Sunan an-Nasai : 3943
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3943
أَخْبَرَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ أَبِي قِلاَبَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْسِمُ بَيْنَ نِسَائِهِ ثُمَّ يَعْدِلُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ " اللَّهُمَّ هَذَا فِعْلِي فِيمَا أَمْلِكُ فَلاَ تَلُمْنِي فِيمَا تَمْلِكُ وَلاَ أَمْلِكُ " . أَرْسَلَهُ حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ .
It was narrated that 'Aishah said: "The Messenger of Allah used to divide his time equally among his wives then he would say: 'O Allah, this is what I have done with regard to that over which I have control, so do not blame me for that over which You have control and I do not.'" Hammad bin Zaid narrated it in Mursal form.
[1] Meaning: This Hadith , which the author cited, is narrated by Hammād bin Salamah, from Ayyūb from Abū Qilābah, from ‘Abdullāh bin Yazīd, from ‘Aishah, while Hammād bin Zaid has narrated it from Ayyūb, from Abū Qilābah, without mention of ‘Abdullāh Nor ‘Aishah. See At-Tirmidhi’s discussion of it after No. 1140, and Tuhfat Al-Ashraf No. 16290.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3943In-book reference : Book 36, Hadith 5English translation : Vol. 4, Book 36, Hadith 3395
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3943
This hadith about equal treatment of wives shows the Messenger of Allah dividing his time equally among them. After doing what was within his control, he made a clear dua: he asked Allah not to blame him for what Allah controlled and he did not. The narration therefore separates outward action from matters beyond a person’s control. The Prophet acted fairly in the division he could manage, then turned to Allah with humility about what he could not manage. This gives a careful picture of marital fairness. It is not an excuse to neglect equal conduct. Instead, it begins with equal division and then acknowledges human limits before Allah. The report also notes that Hammad bin Zaid narrated it in mursal form. That final sentence is a transmission note included in the text and should not be turned into a separate life lesson.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet divided his time equally among his wives.
- A person should act fairly in matters that are within personal control.
- The dua recognizes that some matters are controlled by Allah and not by the servant.
- Fair action can be joined with humble prayer about human limits.
