36/30. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2341 — Basic Needs and Contentment
The Things For Which The Son Of Adam Has No Right Over Other Than Them
Hadith About Basic Needs and Contentment
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2341
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2341
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الصَّمَدِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْوَارِثِ، حَدَّثَنَا حُرَيْثُ بْنُ السَّائِبِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ الْحَسَنَ، يَقُولُ حَدَّثَنِي حُمْرَانُ بْنُ أَبَانَ، عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عَفَّانَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لَيْسَ لاِبْنِ آدَمَ حَقٌّ فِي سِوَى هَذِهِ الْخِصَالِ بَيْتٌ يَسْكُنُهُ وَثَوْبٌ يُوَارِي عَوْرَتَهُ وَجِلْفُ الْخُبْزِ وَالْمَاءِ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ وَهُوَ حَدِيثُ الْحُرَيْثِ بْنِ السَّائِبِ . وَسَمِعْتُ أَبَا دَاوُدَ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنَ سَلْمٍ الْبَلْخِيَّ يَقُولُ قَالَ النَّضْرُ بْنُ شُمَيْلٍ جِلْفُ الْخُبْزِ يَعْنِي لَيْسَ مَعَهُ إِدَامٌ .
'Uthman bin 'Affan Narrated from:
The Prophet (s.a.w) said: "There Is No Right For The Son Of Adam In Other Than These Things: A House Which He Lives In, A Garment Which Covers His Nakedness, And Jilf (A Piece Of Bread) And Water."
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2341In-book reference : Book 36, Hadith 38English translation : Vol. 4, Book 10, Hadith 2341
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2341
This hadith about basic needs in Islam points the heart back to simple living. The Prophet (s.a.w) names what a person truly needs: a house to live in, a garment to cover himself, and plain bread with water. The Arabic note explains that jilf of bread means bread without any extra side dish. The message is not about chasing status, luxury, or endless upgrades. It teaches that shelter, modest clothing, food, and water are enough for life to continue with dignity. For anyone searching for a hadith about contentment, this narration gives a very direct reminder: many things we call needs are only extra wants.
What we learn from this hadith
- Basic shelter, clothing, food, and water are enough for a simple life.
- Plain food should not be looked down upon when it fulfills a real need.
- Contentment helps a person separate true needs from extra wants.
