32/3. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3698 — Bad Example of Gift Return
Mentioning The Different Reports From 'Abdullah Bin 'Abbas About It
Taking Back a Gift Is a Bad Example: A Clear Hadith Warning
Sunan an-Nasai : 3698
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3698
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو خَالِدٍ، - وَهُوَ سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ حَيَّانَ - عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي عَرُوبَةَ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لَيْسَ لَنَا مَثَلُ السَّوْءِ الْعَائِدُ فِي هِبَتِهِ كَالْعَائِدِ فِي قَيْئِهِ " .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said: 'It does not befit us to leave bad examples. The one who takes back his gift is like the one who goes back to his vomit.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3698In-book reference : Book 32, Hadith 11English translation : Vol. 4, Book 32, Hadith 3728
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3698
This Hadith adds an important opening to the warning about taking back gifts. Ibn 'Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah said that bad examples do not befit us, then compared the person who takes back a gift to one who returns to his vomit. The wording connects personal behavior with the kind of example a Muslim should avoid. The act is not only described as unpleasant; it is placed among bad examples that should not represent the community's conduct. The narration does not add a detailed legal discussion. Its message is moral and direct. Give with care, do not reclaim the gift, and do not normalize behavior that the Prophet described with such a degrading comparison.
What we learn from this hadith
- Muslims should avoid conduct described as a bad example.
- Taking back a gift is linked to a degrading comparison.
- A person should give carefully and not plan to reclaim the gift.
- Bad conduct should not be normalized through repeated practice.
