34/2. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3728 — Ruqba Explained and Its Effect
Mentioning The Different Versions Of The Report Of Jabir Concerning 'Umra
Ruqba Gift in Islam: Meaning and Legal Effect
Sunan an-Nasai : 3728
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3728
أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ، عَنْ إِسْرَائِيلَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْكَرِيمِ، عَنْ عَطَاءٍ، قَالَ نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنِ الْعُمْرَى وَالرُّقْبَى . قُلْتُ وَمَا الرُّقْبَى قَالَ يَقُولُ الرَّجُلُ لِلرَّجُلِ هِيَ لَكَ حَيَاتَكَ . فَإِنْ فَعَلْتُمْ فَهُوَ جَائِزَةٌ .
'Ata Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah forbade 'Umra and Ruqba. I said: "What is Ruqba?" He said: "When one man says to another: 'This belongs to you for the rest of your life.' But if you do that, it is permissible."
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3728In-book reference : Book 34, Hadith 10English translation : Vol. 4, Book 34, Hadith 3759
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3728
This narration discusses both 'Umra and Ruqba, with special attention to the meaning of Ruqba. 'Ata explains it as one man saying to another that an item belongs to him for the rest of his life. The report first says that the Messenger of Allah forbade 'Umra and Ruqba, then adds that if people do it, the arrangement is permissible. The text therefore combines a warning against using the form with recognition that it takes effect when made. The main lesson is not to treat such words as harmless or reversible. A Ruqba gift in Islam has a real result once given. This explanation stays with the narration and does not add conditions that are not mentioned.
What we learn from this hadith
- Ruqba is described here as giving something to a person for the rest of his life.
- The narration discourages 'Umra and Ruqba.
- If the arrangement is made, the text says it is permissible and takes effect.
