32/2. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3690 — Gift Revocation
A Father Taking Back That Which He Gave To His Son, And Mentioning The Varying Reports Of The Narrat
Gift Revocation in Islam: Why Taking a Gift Back Is Condemned
Sunan an-Nasai : 3690
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3690
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عَدِيٍّ، عَنْ حُسَيْنٍ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي طَاوُسٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، وَابْنِ، عَبَّاسٍ يَرْفَعَانِ الْحَدِيثَ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لاَ يَحِلُّ لِرَجُلٍ يُعْطِي عَطِيَّةً ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ فِيهَا إِلاَّ الْوَالِدَ فِيمَا يُعْطِي وَلَدَهُ وَمَثَلُ الَّذِي يُعْطِي عَطِيَّةً ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ فِيهَا كَمَثَلِ الْكَلْبِ أَكَلَ حَتَّى إِذَا شَبِعَ قَاءَ ثُمَّ عَادَ فِي قَيْئِهِ " .
Ibn 'Umar and Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
It is not permissible for a man to give a gift and then take it back except a father taking back what he gave to his son. The likeness of the one who gives a gift then takes it back is that of the dog which eats until it is full, then it vomits, and goes back to its vomit.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3690In-book reference : Book 32, Hadith 3English translation : Vol. 4, Book 32, Hadith 3720
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3690
This Hadith gives a clear teaching on gift revocation in Islam. The Prophet said that it is not permissible for a man to give a gift and then take it back. The text makes one stated exception: a father taking back what he gave to his son. It then presents a vivid comparison. The person who gives, reclaims the gift, and returns to it is compared to a dog that eats until full, vomits, and then goes back to the vomit. The image is intentionally unpleasant and shows the serious disapproval expressed in the Hadith. The lesson is to treat gift-giving as a real transfer, not a temporary gesture. A giver should think carefully before handing something over and should not plan to reclaim it later.
What we learn from this hadith
- Taking back a completed gift is described as impermissible in the Hadith.
- The text states an exception for a father regarding what he gave his son.
- The severe comparison shows strong disapproval of reclaiming gifts.
- A person should think carefully before giving something away.
