32/4. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3701 — Why Gifts Should Not Be Reclaimed
Mentioning The Different Reports From Tawus About The One Who Takes Back His Gift
Taking Back Gifts in Islam: A Clear Hadith Warning
Sunan an-Nasai : 3701
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3701
أَخْبَرَنِي زَكَرِيَّا بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا الْمَخْزُومِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ طَاوُسٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " الْعَائِدُ فِي هِبَتِهِ كَالْكَلْبِ يَقِيءُ ثُمَّ يَعُودُ فِي قَيْئِهِ " .
Ibn 'Abbas Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said: "The one who takes back his gift, is like the dog which vomits then goes back to its vomit."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3701In-book reference : Book 32, Hadith 14English translation : Vol. 4, Book 32, Hadith 3731
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3701
This narration explains the warning against taking back gifts through a direct and memorable comparison. The person who gives something and later reclaims it is likened to a dog that vomits and then returns to its vomit. The Hadith does not soften the picture, which shows the seriousness of the behavior being described. Its core message is simple: giving should not become a temporary act followed by regret and recovery of the same gift. This hadith about taking back a gift teaches the giver to think carefully before giving and then respect the completed act. The narration itself does not list exceptions or extra conditions, so the explanation should not add them. It focuses only on the blameworthy return to a gift already given.
What we learn from this hadith
- Reclaiming a gift is described through a strongly negative comparison.
- A person should think carefully before handing over a gift.
- Once given, a gift should not be treated casually.
- The narration addresses the giver's return to the gift, not unrelated gift disputes.
