44/5. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4460 — Business Oaths and Lost Blessing
The One Who Sells His Product By Means Of False Oaths
Hadith About Oaths in Business and Barakah
Sunan an-Nasai : 4460
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4460
أَخْبَرَنِي هَارُونُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي الْوَلِيدُ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ كَثِيرٍ - عَنْ مَعْبَدِ بْنِ كَعْبِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " إِيَّاكُمْ وَكَثْرَةَ الْحَلِفِ فِي الْبَيْعِ فَإِنَّهُ يُنَفِّقُ ثُمَّ يَمْحَقُ " .
Abu Qatada al-Ansari Narrated from:
It was narrated from Abu Qatadah Al-Ansari that he heard the Messenger of Allah say: "Beware of taking oaths a great deal when selling, for it may help you to make a sale but it destroys the blessing."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4460In-book reference : Book 44, Hadith 12English translation : Vol. 5, Book 44, Hadith 4465
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4460
This hadith gives a clear warning about taking many oaths while selling. A seller may think repeated swearing makes a product sound more convincing and helps complete the sale. The Prophet’s words show that a quick sale is not the only measure of success. A deal may go through, yet its blessing can be destroyed. The main lesson about oaths in business is to avoid using Allah’s name as a sales tool. Honest business in Islam should rest on clear speech and truthful information, not pressure created by frequent promises. This hadith also connects Islamic business ethics with barakah in earnings. A merchant should care about the quality of the income, not only the amount received from a customer.
What we learn from this hadith
- Avoid making frequent oaths to persuade people to buy.
- A completed sale does not by itself prove that the deal carries blessing.
- Treat Allah’s name with respect instead of using it as a marketing tool.
- Value blessed earnings more than a quick increase in sales.
