32/3. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3699 — Gift-Giving Ethics
Mentioning The Different Reports From 'Abdullah Bin 'Abbas About It
Gift-Giving Ethics in Islam: Avoid the Bad Example of Taking Gifts Back
Sunan an-Nasai : 3699
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3699
أَخْبَرَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ زُرَارَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَاعِيلُ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لَيْسَ لَنَا مَثَلُ السَّوْءِ الْعَائِدُ فِي هِبَتِهِ كَالْكَلْبِ يَعُودُ 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 dog which goes back to its vomit.'
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3699In-book reference : Book 32, Hadith 12English translation : Vol. 4, Book 32, Hadith 3729
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3699
This Hadith teaches gift-giving ethics through a strong warning. Ibn 'Abbas narrated that the Messenger of Allah said that bad examples do not befit us. He then compared the person who takes back a gift to a dog that returns to its vomit. The comparison is direct and deliberately unpleasant. It shows that reclaiming a gift after giving it is not presented as decent conduct. The phrase about bad examples also reminds the reader that personal actions can become patterns others see and repeat. This narration does not discuss every legal situation connected to gifts. Its teaching is focused: do not make a gift and then behave in the degrading way described by trying to take it back.
What we learn from this hadith
- Taking back a gift is presented as a bad example.
- The dog-and-vomit comparison shows strong disapproval of the act.
- Personal conduct can become an example seen by others.
- A giver should avoid reclaiming what was freely given.
