32/3. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3695 — Gift Return Warning
Mentioning The Different Reports From 'Abdullah Bin 'Abbas About It
Gift Return Warning: Do Not Reclaim What You Have Given
Sunan an-Nasai : 3695
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3695
أَخْبَرَنَا الْهَيْثَمُ بْنُ مَرْوَانَ بْنِ الْهَيْثَمِ بْنِ عِمْرَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدٌ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ بَكَّارِ بْنِ بِلاَلٍ - قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، عَنِ الأَوْزَاعِيِّ، أَنَّ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ، حَدَّثَهُ عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مَثَلُ الَّذِي يَرْجِعُ فِي صَدَقَتِهِ كَمَثَلِ الْكَلْبِ يَقِيءُ ثُمَّ يَعُودُ فِي قَيْئِهِ " . قَالَ الأَوْزَاعِيُّ سَمِعْتُهُ يُحَدِّثُ عَطَاءَ بْنَ أَبِي رَبَاحٍ بِهَذَا الْحَدِيثِ .
`Abdullah bin `Abbas Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said: "The likeness of the one who takes back his gift is that of a dog which vomits, then goes back to its vomit." (One of the narrators) Al-Awza'i said: "I heard him narrating this Hadith to 'Ata bin Abi Rabah."
[1] Muḥammad bin ‘Alî bin Al-Ḥusain.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3695In-book reference : Book 32, Hadith 8English translation : Vol. 4, Book 32, Hadith 3725
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3695
This Hadith gives a direct gift return warning. 'Abdullah bin 'Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah compared the one who takes back his charity to a dog that vomits and then returns to its vomit. The report also notes that Al-Awza'i was heard narrating this Hadith to 'Ata bin Abi Rabah. The moral statement itself remains brief and clear. A person should not make a gift or charitable transfer and then try to recover it. The unpleasant comparison shows the level of disapproval carried by the wording. This is useful guidance for everyday giving: do not give under pressure, for show, or with an unspoken plan to take the item back. Make the decision carefully, then respect the act of giving.
What we learn from this hadith
- Reclaiming a gift or charity is strongly condemned in the comparison.
- The giver should respect what has already been handed over.
- A gift should not be made with a hidden plan to recover it.
- Careful thought before giving can prevent later regret and dispute.
