`Ali bin Abi Talib entered upon Fatimah while Hasan and Husain were crying. He asked: Why are they crying? She replied: Due to hunger. ‘Ali went out and found a dinar in the market. He then came to Fatima and told her about it. She said: Go to such and such a Jew and get some flour for us. He came to the Jew and purchased flour with it. He said : Are you the son-in-law of him who believes that he is the Messenger of Allah. He said : Yes. The Jew said : Have your dinar with you and you will get the flour. Ali then went out and came to Fatima. He told her about the matter. She then said: Go to such and such a butcher and get some meat for us for a dirham. Ali went out and pawned the dinar for a dirham with him and got the meat, and brought it (to her). She then kneaded the flour, put the utensil on fire and baked the bread. She sent for her father : (i.e. the Prophet (SWAS). He came to them. She said to him : Messenger of Allah, I tell you all the matter. If you think it is lawful for us, we shall eat it and you will eat with us. She said: The matter is such and such. He said: eat in the name of Allah. So they ate it. While they were (eating) at their place, a boy cried adguring in the name of Allah and Islam: He was searching the dinar. The Messenger of Allah (SWAS) commanded and he was called in. He asked him. The boy replied, I lost it somewhere in the market. The Prophet (SWAS) said : `Ali, go to the butcher and tell him that the Messenger of Allah (SWAS) has asked you : send the dinar to me and one dirham of yours will be due on me. The butcher returned it and the Messenger of Allah (SWAS) handed it to him (the boy).
The Book of Lost and Found Items - Sunan Abi Dawud 1716
This narration from Sunan Abi Dawud presents profound lessons regarding the Islamic legal principles governing lost property (luqatah), poverty, and divine providence.
Contextual Analysis
The incident occurs during a period of severe hardship for the Prophet's household, demonstrating that even the most noble families faced worldly trials. The crying of Hasan and Husain due to hunger moved their father 'Ali to seek provision, leading to the discovery of the dinar.
Legal Rulings on Found Property
Scholars explain that found property must be announced for a full year before being used. The Prophet's instruction to return the dinar establishes that improperly utilized found wealth must be restored to its owner, even after consumption.
The butcher's compliance despite financial loss demonstrates the authority of the Prophet's judgment and the Muslim community's respect for Islamic legal decisions.
Divine Providence & Trust in Allah
This incident showcases divine arrangement - the dinar appeared precisely when needed, yet its temporary use served only to alleviate immediate hunger. The ultimate restoration teaches that lawful provision comes only through proper channels.
Fatimah's consultation with her father before consuming the food illustrates the principle of seeking religious guidance when in doubt about permissibility.
Moral & Spiritual Dimensions
The narrative emphasizes contentment with divine decree, honesty in adversity, and the importance of returning rights to their owners regardless of personal circumstance.
The Jewish merchant's recognition of 'Ali's status and the boy's oath "in the name of Allah and Islam" indicate the growing recognition of Islamic values in Medina's diverse community.