31/1. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3680 — Fairness Among Children
Different Versions Of The Report Of Nu'man Bin Bashir Concerning Presents
Fair Treatment of Children in Islam: Equal Gifts and Equal Respect
Sunan an-Nasai : 3680
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3680
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْوَهَّابِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا دَاوُدُ، عَنْ عَامِرٍ، عَنِ النُّعْمَانِ، أَنَّ أَبَاهُ، أَتَى بِهِ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُشْهِدُ عَلَى نُحْلٍ نَحَلَهُ إِيَّاهُ . فَقَالَ " أَكُلَّ وَلَدِكَ نَحَلْتَ مِثْلَ مَا نَحَلْتَهُ " . قَالَ لاَ . قَالَ " فَلاَ أَشْهَدُ عَلَى شَىْءٍ أَلَيْسَ يَسُرُّكَ أَنْ يَكُونُوا إِلَيْكَ فِي الْبِرِّ سَوَاءً " . قَالَ بَلَى . قَالَ " فَلاَ إِذًا " .
An-Nu'man Narrated from:
It was narrated from An-Nu'man that his father brought him to the Prophet to bear witness to a present that he gave to him. He said: "Have you given all your children a present like that which you have given to him?" He said: "No." He said: "I will not bear witness to anything. Will it not please you if they were all to treat you with equal respect?" He said: "Of course." He said: "Then no (I will not do it)."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3680In-book reference : Book 31, Hadith 9English translation : Vol. 4, Book 31, Hadith 3710
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3680
This Hadith teaches fair treatment of children in Islam through a clear family example. An-Nu'man's father wanted the Prophet to witness a special present given to one child. The Prophet first asked whether every child had received a similar present. When the father said no, the Prophet refused to witness it. He then connected equal gifts to children with the parent's own wish for equal respect from them. The message is simple: a parent who hopes all children will show the same care and respect should not create unfairness through selective giving. This narration does not discuss every possible family situation. It directly addresses a gift given to one child while the others were not treated in the same way.
What we learn from this hadith
- Parents should examine whether a special gift creates unfairness among their children.
- The Prophet refused to witness a gift that was not matched for the other children.
- Equal treatment can support the hope that children will show equal respect to their parent.
- A parent should pause before formalizing a gift that favors only one child.
