“O Allah! Complete the emigration of my Companions” Sahih al-Bukhari 3936
In the year of Hajjat-ul-Wada` the Prophet (ﷺ) visited me when I fell ill and was about to die because of that illness. I said, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! I am very ill as you see, and I am a rich man and have no heir except my only daughter. Shall I give 2/3 of my property in charity?" He said, "No." I said, "Shall I then give one half of it in charity?" He said, "O Sa`d! Give 1/3 (in charity) and even 1/3 is too much. No doubt, it is better to leave your children rich than to leave them poor, reduced to begging from others. And Allah will reward you for whatever you spend with the intention of gaining Allah's Pleasure even if it were a mouthful of food you put into your wives mouth." I said, "O Allah's Apostle! Am I to be left behind (in Mecca) after my companions have gone?" He said, "If you should be left behind, you will be upgraded and elevated for every deed you will do with a desire to achieve Allah's Pleasure. I hope that you will live long so that some people will benefit by you while others will be harmed. O Allah! Please fulfill the migration of my companions and do not make them turn back on their heels. But (we feel sorry for) the unlucky Sa`d bin Khaulah." Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) lamented his death in Mecca.
Overview & Central Theme
This profound hadith, narrated by Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) during the Farewell Pilgrimage, encapsulates the balanced Islamic approach to wealth, family responsibility, and the afterlife. The central theme is the prioritization of one's dependents' welfare over excessive charity, establishing that leaving heirs financially secure is a virtuous act. It also highlights the immense value of sincere deeds, even small ones, and the divine reward for intentions aimed at Allah's pleasure. The Prophet's ﷺ counsel to Sa'd—limiting charity to one-third—became a foundational legal principle in Islamic inheritance and bequest law, demonstrating the Shariah's mercy and practicality.
Context & Linguistic Insights
The context is the year of Hajjat-ul-Wada (10 AH), when Sa'd fell severely ill in Mecca. He feared dying as a wealthy man with only one daughter as heir, and sought to give away his wealth in charity. The Prophet ﷺ visited him, and the dialogue unfolded. Linguistically, "Hajjat-ul-Wada" means the "Farewell Pilgrimage," marking the Prophet's final Hajj. The phrase "even 1/3 is too much" (wa-thuluthu kathirun) uses "kathir" to denote abundance, implying that even a third is substantial, let alone more. The Prophet's ﷺ prayer for the Muhajirun—"do not make them turn back on their heels"—refers to apostasy or returning to Mecca after migration. The lament for Sa'd ibn Khaulah, who died in Mecca, underscores the virtue of migration and the sorrow of dying in a land from which one had emigrated for Allah's sake.
Key Scholarly Insights & Legal Benefits
Daily Life & Spiritual Application
This hadith guides Muslims to balance worldly responsibilities with spiritual aspirations. In daily life, one should prioritize providing for family, ensuring their financial stability, while still giving charity within the prescribed limits. It teaches mindfulness in spending—every riyal, dirham, or mouthful given with the intention of seeking Allah's pleasure is recorded. Additionally, it encourages long-term planning (such as writing a will within the one-third limit) and avoiding extremes of extravagance or miserliness. The hadith also comforts the sick and elderly, reminding them that sincere deeds, even small ones, are never wasted, and that their legacy of faith and good works benefits others. Ultimately, it inspires a life of ihsan—excellence—where every action, from feeding a spouse to migrating for Allah's cause, is infused with divine consciousness.