Sunan Abī Dāwūd is one of the six major hadith collections in Sunni Islam, compiled by Imam Abū Dāwūd al-Sijistānī. It focuses on hadiths related to Islamic law (fiqh), offering a detailed record of the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that form the basis for legal rulings. Carefully selected from hundreds of thousands of narrations, it emphasizes authenticity and relevance to jurisprudence, making it a key reference for scholars and students of Islamic law.

Book 20, Tribute, Spoils & Governance, discusses war spoils (khārāj, fay), financial dues, and rulership/government matters.

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 1

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 1 Narrated ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock. The amir (ruler) who is over the people is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock; a man is a shepherd […]

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 2

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 2 Narrated ‘Abd al-Rahman b. Samurah: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to me: ‘Abdul al-Rahman b. Samurah, do not ask for the position of commander, for if you are given it after asking you will be left to discharge it yourself, but if you are given it without […]

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 3

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 3 Narrated Abu Musa: I went along with two men to see the Prophet (ﷺ). One of them recited tashahhud and said: We have come to you so that you may employ us for your work. The other also said the same thing. He (the Prophet) replied: The most […]

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 4

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 4 Narrated Anas: The Prophet (ﷺ) appointed Ubn Umm Makthum as a governor of Medina (in his absence) twice. حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْمُخَرِّمِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ مَهْدِيٍّ، حَدَّثَنَا عِمْرَانُ الْقَطَّانُ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم اسْتَخْلَفَ ابْنَ أُمِّ مَكْتُومٍ عَلَى الْمَدِينَةِ […]

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 5

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 5 Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu’minin: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: When Allah has a good purpose for a ruler, He appoints for him a sincere minister who reminds him if he forgets and helps him if he remembers; but when Allah has a different purpose from that for […]

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 6

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 6 Narrated Al-Miqdam ibn Ma’dikarib: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) struck him on his shoulders and then said: You will attain success, Qudaym, if you die without having been a ruler, a secretary, or a chief. حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عُثْمَانَ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ […]

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 7

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 7 Narrated Ghalib al-Qattan: Ghalib quoted a man who stated on the authority of his father that his grandfather reported: They lived at one of the springs. When Islam reached them, the master of the spring offered his people one hundred camels if they embraced Islam. So they embraced […]

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 8

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 8 Narrated Ibn ‘Abbas: The Prophet (ﷺ) has a secretary named Sijill. حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا نُوحُ بْنُ قَيْسٍ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ كَعْبٍ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الْجَوْزَاءِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ السِّجِلُّ كَاتِبٌ كَانَ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏.‏ Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, […]

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 9

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 9 Narrated Rafi’ ibn Khadij: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: The official who collects sadaqah (zakat) in a just manner is like him who fights in Allah’s path till he returns home. حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الأَسْبَاطِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحِيمِ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ، […]

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 10

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 10 Narrated Uqbah ibn Amir: I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: One who wrongfully takes an extra tax (sahib maks) will not enter Paradise. حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ النُّفَيْلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ أَبِي حَبِيبٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ […]

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 11

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 11 Narrated Ibn Ishaq: Sahib maks means one who (receives) tithes (from) people. حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْقَطَّانُ، عَنِ ابْنِ مَغْرَاءَ، عَنِ ابْنِ إِسْحَاقَ، قَالَ الَّذِي يَعْشُرُ النَّاسَ يَعْنِي صَاحِبَ الْمَكْسِ ‏.‏ Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 11   The above hadith is from the Sunan Abi […]

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 12

Sunan Abi Dawud: Book 20, Hadith 12 Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: ‘Umar said: I shall not appoint a successor, for the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did not appoint a successor. If I appoint a successor (I can do so), for Abu Bakr had appointed a successor. He Ibn ‘Umar) said: I swear by Allah, he did […]