32/2. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3692 — Returning Gifts
A Father Taking Back That Which He Gave To His Son, And Mentioning The Varying Reports Of The Narrat
Returning Gifts in Islam: A Clear Ban and a Specific Exception
Sunan an-Nasai : 3692
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3692
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حِبَّانُ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ، عَنْ طَاوُسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ يَحِلُّ لأَحَدٍ أَنْ يَهَبَ هِبَةً ثُمَّ يَرْجِعَ فِيهَا إِلاَّ مِنْ وَلَدِهِ " . قَالَ طَاوُسٌ كُنْتُ أَسْمَعُ وَأَنَا صَغِيرٌ عَائِدٌ فِي قَيْئِهِ فَلَمْ نَدْرِ أَنَّهُ ضَرَبَ لَهُ مَثَلاً قَالَ " فَمَنْ فَعَلَ ذَلِكَ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ الْكَلْبِ يَأْكُلُ ثُمَّ يَقِيءُ ثُمَّ يَعُودُ فِي قَيْئِهِ " .
Tawus Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said: 'It is not permissible for anyone to give a gift then take it back, except from one's son.'" Tawus said: "When I was young I used to hear (the phrase), 'The one who goes back to his vomit,' but we did not realize that this was a similitude." He said: "The likeness of the one who does that is that of a dog which eats then vomits, then goes back to its vomit."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3692In-book reference : Book 32, Hadith 5English translation : Vol. 4, Book 32, Hadith 3722
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3692
This Hadith explains returning gifts in Islam through both a direct statement and a vivid example. The Messenger of Allah said that it is not permissible for anyone to give a gift and then take it back, except from one's son. Tawus then explained that the familiar phrase about returning to vomit was a similitude. The narration compares the person who reclaims a gift to a dog that eats, vomits, and then returns to the vomit. This makes the warning hard to ignore. The exception should remain limited to the wording in the text and should not be expanded without separate evidence. The practical message is to give responsibly. A person should understand that a gift is not something to reclaim simply because the giver later changes his mind.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Hadith states that a person should not give a gift and then take it back.
- A specific exception is mentioned concerning one's son.
- The similitude shows strong disapproval of reclaiming a gift.
- Gift-giving should be approached with care and a settled decision.
