26/56. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3329 — Repaying the One Who Breastfed You
Rights And Status Of The Breast-feeding Mother
Hadith About Repaying the Dues of Breastfeeding
Sunan an-Nasai : 3329
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3329
أَخْبَرَنَا يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، قَالَ وَحَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، عَنْ حَجَّاجِ بْنِ حَجَّاجٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا يُذْهِبُ عَنِّي مَذَمَّةَ الرَّضَاعِ قَالَ " غُرَّةُ عَبْدٍ أَوْ أَمَةٍ " .
Hajjaj bin Hajjaj Narrated from:
It was narrated from Hajjaj bin Hajjaj that his father said: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah, how can I pay back the dues of the one who breast-fed me?' He said: 'By giving a male or female slave.'"
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3329In-book reference : Book 26, Hadith 134English translation : Vol. 4, Book 26, Hadith 3331
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3329
This Hadith about repaying breastfeeding kindness records a man asking the Messenger of Allah how he could clear the dues owed to the one who breast-fed him. The Prophet answered, “By giving a male or female slave.” The text is short and direct. It shows that breastfeeding created a recognized favor in that setting, and the man wanted to repay it properly. The Hadith does not give a general list of all ways to show gratitude, so the explanation should not add more than the text says. Its clear theme is honoring the one who gave care through breastfeeding and asking the Prophet how to respond.
What we learn from this hadith
- The man recognized a due owed to the one who breast-fed him.
- He asked the Prophet how to repay that favor.
- The Prophet gave a specific answer in the terms of that context.
- The Hadith points to gratitude for care received in early life.
