38/1. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4146 — Covenant, Faith, and Khumus
The Book Of The Distribution Of Al-Fay'
Khumus Covenant Hadith: Faith, Separation, and Security
Sunan an-Nasai : 4146
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4146
أَخْبَرَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مَحْبُوبٌ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا أَبُو إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ سَعِيدٍ الْجُرَيْرِيِّ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ الشِّخِّيرِ، قَالَ بَيْنَا أَنَا مَعَ، مُطَرِّفٍ بِالْمِرْبَدِ إِذْ دَخَلَ رَجُلٌ مَعَهُ قِطْعَةُ أُدْمٍ قَالَ كَتَبَ لِي هَذِهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَهَلْ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ يَقْرَأُ قَالَ قُلْتُ أَنَا أَقْرَأُ فَإِذَا فِيهَا " مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِبَنِي زُهَيْرِ بْنِ أُقَيْشٍ أَنَّهُمْ إِنْ شَهِدُوا أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ وَفَارَقُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ وَأَقَرُّوا بِالْخُمُسِ فِي غَنَائِمِهِمْ وَسَهْمِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَصَفِيِّهِ فَإِنَّهُمْ آمِنُونَ بِأَمَانِ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ " .
It was narrated that Yazid bin Ash-Shikhkhir said: "While I was with Mutarrif in Al-Mirbad, a man came in carrying a piece of leather and said: 'This was written to me by the Messenger of Allah. Is there anyone among you who can read?' I said: 'I can read.' And it was (a letter) from Muhammad the Prophet to Banu Zuhair bin Uqaish, who had testified to Lailah illallah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and had left the idolaters, and had agreed to give the Khumus from their spoils of the Prophet, and wheatever he chose for himself, so they became safe and secure by the covenant of Allah and His Messenger."
[1] It is the name of a place in Al-Başrah, and Al-Mirbad is used to refer to any area where camels are held, and sometimes where they are sold, or where dates are dried. (See Al-Anṣāb , and Mu'jam Al-Buldān ).Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4146In-book reference : Book 38, Hadith 14English translation : Vol. 5, Book 38, Hadith 4151
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4146
This hadith records a written message from the Prophet to Banu Zuhair bin Uqaish. The letter set out clear conditions. They were to testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. They were also to leave the idolaters and acknowledge the Khumus from their spoils, along with the Prophet’s share and what he selected for himself. When these conditions were accepted, the letter stated that they were safe and secure under the covenant of Allah and His Messenger. The central topic is a formal covenant tied to faith, community separation, and agreed financial duties. The report does not give details about later events or wider treaty law, so its lesson should stay with the terms written in the letter.
What we learn from this hadith
- The written covenant began with testimony of faith.
- It required separation from the idolaters.
- It included acknowledgment of Khumus, the Prophet's share, and Safi.
- The stated result was safety under the covenant of Allah and His Messenger.
