34/5. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 3758 — The Difference Between Gift and Charity
A Woman Giving A Gift Without Her Husband's Permission
Gift vs Charity in Islam: The Intention Behind Each
Sunan an-Nasai : 3758
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 3758
أَخْبَرَنَا هَنَّادُ بْنُ السَّرِيِّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ عَيَّاشٍ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ هَانِئٍ، عَنْ أَبِي حُذَيْفَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ بَشِيرٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَلْقَمَةَ الثَّقَفِيِّ، قَالَ قَدِمَ وَفْدُ ثَقِيفٍ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَمَعَهُمْ هَدِيَّةٌ فَقَالَ " أَهَدِيَّةٌ أَمْ صَدَقَةٌ فَإِنْ كَانَتْ هَدِيَّةً فَإِنَّمَا يُبْتَغَى بِهَا وَجْهُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَقَضَاءُ الْحَاجَةِ وَإِنْ كَانَتْ صَدَقَةً فَإِنَّمَا يُبْتَغَى بِهَا وَجْهُ اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ " . قَالُوا لاَ بَلْ هَدِيَّةٌ . فَقَبِلَهَا مِنْهُمْ وَقَعَدَ مَعَهُمْ يُسَائِلُهُمْ وَيُسَائِلُونَهُ حَتَّى صَلَّى الظُّهْرَ مَعَ الْعَصْرِ .
'Abdur-Rahman bin 'Alqamah Ath-Thaqafi Narrated from:
The delegation of Thaqif came to the Messenger of Allah, bringing a gift with them. He said: 'Is it a gift or charity?' If it was a gift it would be for the sake of the Messenger of Allah and to have their needs met, and if it was charity then it would be in the cause of Allah. They said: 'It is a gift.' So he accepted it from them, and sat with them, and they asked questions, until he prayed Zuhr with 'Asr.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 3758In-book reference : Book 34, Hadith 40English translation : Vol. 4, Book 34, Hadith 3789
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 3758
This Hadith shows that the Messenger of Allah asked the Thaqif delegation whether what they brought was a gift or charity. The narration itself explains the stated difference in purpose: a gift was connected with seeking the Messenger's attention and having needs met, while charity was given for the sake of Allah. The delegation answered that it was a gift, so he accepted it. He then sat with them, exchanged questions, and remained with them until he prayed Zuhr with 'Asr. The core topic is the difference between gift and charity in Islam, especially the giver's stated purpose. The text does not say that every gift has only one motive or provide a full legal definition of charity. It records this exchange, the answer, the acceptance, and the meeting.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet asked whether the offering was a gift or charity.
- The narration distinguishes the stated purposes behind the two forms of giving.
- He accepted the offering after they identified it as a gift.
- He gave the delegation time for questions and discussion.
