38/1. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4140 — Fay and Responsible Public Spending
The Book Of The Distribution Of Al-Fay'
Fay in Islam: Responsible Use of Public Wealth
Sunan an-Nasai : 4140
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4140
أَخْبَرَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَمْرٍو، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ دِينَارٍ - عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ أَوْسِ بْنِ الْحَدَثَانِ، عَنْ عُمَرَ، قَالَ كَانَتْ أَمْوَالُ بَنِي النَّضِيرِ مِمَّا أَفَاءَ اللَّهُ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ مِمَّا لَمْ يُوجِفِ الْمُسْلِمُونَ عَلَيْهِ بِخَيْلٍ وَلاَ رِكَابٍ فَكَانَ يُنْفِقُ عَلَى نَفْسِهِ مِنْهَا قُوتَ سَنَةٍ وَمَا بَقِيَ جَعَلَهُ فِي الْكُرَاعِ وَالسِّلاَحِ عُدَّةً فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ .
'Umar Narrated from:
The wealth of Banu An-Nadir was among the Fay' that Allah bestowed upon His Messenger, in cases where the Muslims did not go out on and expedition with horses and camels. From it he kept for himself food for one year, and what was left he spent on cavalry and weapons equipment for the cause of Allah.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4140In-book reference : Book 38, Hadith 8English translation : Vol. 5, Book 38, Hadith 4145
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4140
This hadith explains how Fay in Islam was handled in the case of the wealth of Banu An-Nadir. The text says the Muslims did not gain this property through an expedition using horses or camels. For that reason, it was treated as Fay bestowed by Allah upon His Messenger. The Prophet used part of it to keep food for himself for one year. He did not keep the whole amount for personal use. What remained was spent on cavalry and weapons equipment for the cause of Allah. The main lesson is careful management of shared wealth. Personal and family needs were met in a measured way, while the rest served a wider public purpose. This hadith about Fay therefore highlights balance, restraint, and responsible spending.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet kept food for one year from the Fay wealth.
- The remaining wealth was used for cavalry and weapons equipment.
- The report separates limited personal provision from wider public spending.
- Fay was treated differently from property gained through a cavalry expedition.
