SECTION ON JIHAD · 93 – THE TRAVELER EATING DATES FOUND ON THE ROAD AND DRINKING MILK FROM ANIMALS ENCOUNTERED
2619 – It is narrated from Samura ibn Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “When one of you comes upon a flock of sheep or camels, if its owner is present, let him ask permission from him. If he gives permission, let him milk it and drink its milk. If the owner is not present, let him call out three times; if he receives a response, let him ask permission from him. If there is no response, let him milk it and drink. But he must not take any with him.” [428]
EXPLANATION
Scholars have interpreted this noble hadith as pertaining to a situation of necessity. One should not attempt such a thing unless there is necessity. Even in a case of necessity, if possible, one should pay for what one has eaten.
2620 – It is narrated from ʿAbbād ibn Shurahbīl (may Allah be pleased with him): He said: In a year of famine, I fell into poverty. I entered one of the gardens of Medina. I rubbed some ears of grain, ate from them, and filled my garment with them. The owner came, beat me, and took my garment. I came to the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) and told him what had happened. The Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) said to the owner of the property: “You did not teach him when he was ignorant, nor did you feed him when he was hungry.” He then ordered him to return my garment to me. He returned my garment and gave me a wasq or half a wasq of food. [429]
EXPLANATION
One wasq is sixty sāʿs. One sāʿ is three kilograms and three hundred thirty-three grams.
2621 – Abū Bishr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard from ʿAbbād, who was from the Banū Ghubar tribe to which we belong, and he narrated the meaning of the previous hadith.