49/30. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5419 — The Danger of a False Oath
Passing Judgment in a Dispute Concerning a Little Wealth, or a Great Deal of Wealth
Hadith About False Oath and Taking a Muslim's Wealth Unlawfully
Sunan an-Nasai : 5419
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5419
أَخْبَرَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ حُجْرٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الْعَلاَءُ، عَنْ مَعْبَدِ بْنِ كَعْبٍ، عَنْ أَخِيهِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ كَعْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِي أُمَامَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مَنِ اقْتَطَعَ حَقَّ امْرِئٍ مُسْلِمٍ بِيَمِينِهِ فَقَدْ أَوْجَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ النَّارَ وَحَرَّمَ عَلَيْهِ الْجَنَّةَ " . فَقَالَ لَهُ رَجُلٌ وَإِنْ كَانَ شَيْئًا يَسِيرًا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ " وَإِنْ كَانَ قَضِيبًا مِنْ أَرَاكٍ " .
Abu Umamah Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "Whoever seizes the wealth of a Muslim unlawfully by means of his (false) oath, Allah makes the Fire required for him, Paradise unlawful for him." A man said to him: "O Messenger of Allah, even if it is something small?" He said: "Even if it is a twig of an Arak tree."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5419In-book reference : Book 49, Hadith 41English translation : Vol. 6, Book 49, Hadith 5421
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5419
This hadith about false oath gives a severe warning about taking another Muslim's wealth unlawfully. The Messenger of Allah SAW said that whoever seizes the right of a Muslim by means of his oath has the Fire made required for him and Paradise made unlawful for him. A man asked whether this applies even if the thing is small. The Prophet SAW answered that it does, even if it is a twig of an Arak tree. The message is direct: the size of the property does not make lying safe. A false oath used to take someone's right is a serious sin, even when the item seems small in people's eyes.
What we learn from this hadith
- A false oath must not be used to take another person's right.
- Small property is still protected from unlawful seizure.
- The Prophet SAW gave the example of a twig of an Arak tree.
- A Muslim should fear Allah before using an oath in a dispute.
