7/38. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 681 — The Humility of Asking Only When Needed
What Has Been Related About The Prohibition Of Begging
Hadith About Asking Only When There Is Real Need
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 681
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 681
حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلاَنَ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيِعٌ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ عُقْبَةَ، عَنْ سَمُرَةَ بْنِ جُنْدَبٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّ الْمَسْأَلَةَ كَدٌّ يَكُدُّ بِهَا الرَّجُلُ وَجْهَهُ إِلاَّ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ الرَّجُلُ سُلْطَانًا أَوْ فِي أَمْرٍ لاَ بُدَّ مِنْهُ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ .
Samura b. Jundub Narrated from:
The Messenger Of Allah Said: "Asking Is A Labor That Toils On A Man'S Face, Except If A Man Asks For Something From The Sultan (Ruler), Or He Asks For Something That He Cannot Do Without."
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 681In-book reference : Book 7, Hadith 65English translation : Vol. 2, Book 2, Hadith 681
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 681
This hadith about asking for help teaches a careful balance. The Messenger of Allah said that asking is a labor that toils on a man’s face. In simple words, needless begging can take away from a person’s dignity and place a visible burden on him. But the hadith also gives two clear exceptions. A person may ask the ruler, meaning someone with authority or public responsibility, and a person may ask when the matter is something he cannot do without. So the main lesson is not harshness toward the needy. It is a call to protect self-respect, avoid unnecessary asking, and seek help only when there is a real need.
What we learn from this hadith
- Needless asking can harm a person’s sense of dignity.
- The hadith allows asking when a person faces a need he cannot do without.
- It also allows asking from those in authority when there is a rightful reason.
