32/3. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3694 — Reclaiming Charity
Mentioning The Different Reports From 'Abdullah Bin 'Abbas About It
Reclaiming Charity in Islam: Why the Hadith Condemns It
Sunan an-Nasai : 3694
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3694
أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الصَّمَدِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَرْبٌ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ شَدَّادٍ - قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى، - هُوَ ابْنُ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ - قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَمْرٍو، - وَهُوَ الأَوْزَاعِيُّ - أَنَّ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ حُسَيْنِ بْنِ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ، صلى الله عليه وسلم حَدَّثَهُ عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مَثَلُ الَّذِي يَتَصَدَّقُ بِالصَّدَقَةِ ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ فِيهَا كَمَثَلِ الْكَلْبِ قَاءَ ثُمَّ عَادَ فِي قَيْئِهِ فَأَكَلَهُ " .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
The Prophet said: "The likeness of the one who gives a gift then takes it back, is that of a dog which vomits, then goes back to its vomit and eats it."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3694In-book reference : Book 32, Hadith 7English translation : Vol. 4, Book 32, Hadith 3724
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3694
This Hadith focuses on reclaiming charity after it has already been given. Ibn 'Abbas narrated that the Prophet compared such a giver to a dog that vomits, returns to the vomit, and eats it. The wording is graphic because it presents the act as deeply improper. The Hadith does not discuss the giver's later regret, the value of the gift, or the recipient's response. It keeps attention on the act of giving and then taking back. For readers looking for the Islamic teaching on taking back gifts, this narration stresses that generosity should not be reversed casually. Before giving charity, a person should make a considered choice. After giving, the person should avoid turning the act into a source of pressure, dispute, or attempted recovery.
What we learn from this hadith
- Charity should not be followed by an attempt to take it back.
- The comparison in the Hadith expresses strong moral disapproval.
- The value of a gift does not change the warning stated in this narration.
- A person should make a careful decision before giving.
