47/7. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 4992 — Muslim or Believer
Interpreting the Saying of Allah, The Mighty and Sublime: "The Bedouins say: We believe,
Muslim or Believer Hadith: Wisdom in Giving
Sunan an-Nasai : 4992
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 4992
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ ثَوْرٍ - قَالَ مَعْمَرٌ وَأَخْبَرَنِي الزُّهْرِيُّ، عَنْ عَامِرِ بْنِ سَعْدِ بْنِ أَبِي وَقَّاصٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ أَعْطَى النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم رِجَالاً وَلَمْ يُعْطِ رَجُلاً مِنْهُمْ شَيْئًا قَالَ سَعْدٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَعْطَيْتَ فُلاَنًا وَفُلاَنًا وَلَمْ تُعْطِ فُلاَنًا شَيْئًا وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ . فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَوْ مُسْلِمٌ " . حَتَّى أَعَادَهَا سَعْدٌ ثَلاَثًا وَالنَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " أَوْ مُسْلِمٌ " . ثُمَّ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنِّي لأُعْطِي رِجَالاً وَأَدَعُ مَنْ هُوَ أَحَبُّ إِلَىَّ مِنْهُمْ لاَ أُعْطِيهِ شَيْئًا مَخَافَةَ أَنْ يُكَبُّوا فِي النَّارِ عَلَى وُجُوهِهِمْ " .
Amir b. Sa'd b. Abu Waqqas Narrated from:
It was narrated from 'Amir bin Sa'd bin Abi Waqqas that his father said: "The Prophet [SAW] gave a share (of some spoils of war) to some men and not to others. Sa'd said: 'O Messenger of Allah [SAW], you gave to so-and-so and so-and-so, but you did not give anything to so-and-so, and he is a believer.' The Prophet [SAW] said: 'Or a Muslim,' until Sa'd had repeated it three times, and the Prophet [SAW] said: 'I give to some men, and leave those who are dearer to me, without giving them anything, lest (the former) be thrown into Hell on their faces.'"
[2] Al-Hujurât 49:14.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 4992In-book reference : Book 47, Hadith 8English translation : Vol. 6, Book 47, Hadith 4995
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 4992
This hadith about Muslim and believer shows careful speech and prophetic wisdom. Sad saw that the Prophet gave a share of spoils to some men and did not give to another man. Sad called that man a believer. The Prophet responded, Or a Muslim, and this was repeated three times. Then he explained that he gives to some men and leaves others who are dearer to him, because of concern that the first group may be thrown into Hell on their faces. The wording teaches that outward Islam and inner faith should not be spoken about carelessly. It also shows that giving or withholding was not simply a sign of who was more loved.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet corrected the wording from believer to Muslim.
- Receiving a share did not mean someone was more beloved.
- The Prophet's giving is linked in the report to concern for people's state.
