34/1. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3723 — Life-Long Gifts Continue After Death
"'Umra (A Gift Given For Life) Belongs To The Heir"
Life-Long Gift and Ruqba: Ownership After Death
Sunan an-Nasai : 3723
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3723
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَبِي أَنَّهُ، عَرَضَ عَلَىَّ مَعْقِلٌ عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ دِينَارٍ، عَنْ حُجْرٍ الْمَدَرِيِّ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ أَعْمَرَ شَيْئًا فَهُوَ لِمُعْمَرِهِ مَحْيَاهُ وَمَمَاتَهُ وَلاَ تَرْقُبُوا فَمَنْ أَرْقَبَ شَيْئًا فَهُوَ لِسَبِيلِهِ " .
Zaid bin Thabit Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah said: "Whoever gives a life-long gift, it belongs to the one to whom he gave it, both during his life and after his death. And do not give things on the basis of Ruqba, for whoever is given something on the basis of Ruqba, it becomes part of his estate."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3723In-book reference : Book 34, Hadith 5English translation : Vol. 4, Book 34, Hadith 3754
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3723
This Hadith explains the result of both an 'Umra gift and a Ruqba arrangement. Whoever gives something as a life-long gift gives it to the recipient during life and after death. The Prophet also tells people not to give things on the basis of Ruqba. Yet if something is given in that way, the text says it becomes part of the recipient's estate. The core message is about lasting ownership. These forms of giving are not described as temporary arrangements that simply end when the recipient dies. The Hadith about life-long gifts therefore warns a person to understand the outcome before giving. It also shows that the words used in a property gift can carry consequences for the recipient and the estate.
What we learn from this hadith
- A life-long gift remains with the recipient in life and after death.
- The Prophet discouraged giving on the basis of Ruqba.
- A Ruqba gift, once made, becomes part of the recipient's estate.
- A giver should understand the lasting result of the chosen gift form.
