33/3. Chapter:
Jami at-Tirmidhi 2160 — Return What Belongs to Others
What has been Related About It is Not Lawful To Intimidate A Muslim
Hadith About Returning a Brother's Staff
Jami at-Tirmidhi : 2160
Jami at-TirmidhiHadith Number 2160
حَدَّثَنَا بُنْدَارٌ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي ذِئْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ السَّائِبِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لاَ يَأْخُذْ أَحَدُكُمْ عَصَا أَخِيهِ لاَعِبًا أَوْ جَادًّا فَمَنْ أَخَذَ عَصَا أَخِيهِ فَلْيَرُدَّهَا إِلَيْهِ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ وَسُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ صُرَدَ وَجَعْدَةَ وَأَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ . وَهَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ لاَ نَعْرِفُهُ إِلاَّ مِنْ حَدِيثِ ابْنِ أَبِي ذِئْبٍ . وَالسَّائِبُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ لَهُ صُحْبَةٌ قَدْ سَمِعَ مِنَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَحَادِيثَ وَهُوَ غُلاَمٌ وَقُبِضَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُوَ ابْنُ سَبْعِ سِنِينَ وَوَالِدُهُ يَزِيدُ بْنُ السَّائِبِ لَهُ أَحَادِيثُ هُوَ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَقَدْ رَوَى عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَالسَّائِبُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ هُوَ ابْنُ أُخْتِ نَمِرٍ
'Abdullah bin As-Sa'ib bin Yazid Narrated from:
'Abdullah bin As-Sa'ib bin Yazid narrated from his father, from his grandfather who said: "The Messenger Of Allah (S.A.W) Said: 'Let One Of You Not Take His Brother'S Staff, Neither In Play Nor Seriousness. Whoever Took His Brother'S Staff, Then Let Him Return It To Him."'
[1] “His brother’s belongings...” as is in the report in Abū Dāwūd. “He only cited the staff as an example because it is of the trivial things not considered so important by its owner, so that it is known that greater care must be taken concerning what is of importance (to its owner).” Tuhfat Al-Ahwadhi .Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2160In-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 3English translation : Vol. 4, Book 7, Hadith 2160
Summary of Jami at-Tirmidhi Hadith 2160
This hadith about returning a brother's staff teaches respect for other people's property, even in small matters. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said that one of you should not take his brother's staff, neither in play nor seriousness. If someone takes his brother's staff, he should return it to him. The example is simple, but the lesson is wide enough to touch everyday manners. Joking is not an excuse to take what belongs to someone else. The hadith also teaches quick correction: if something was taken, return it. It builds honesty, trust, and care for another person's rights.
What we learn from this hadith
- Do not take someone else's property, even as a joke.
- Serious and playful taking are both mentioned in the warning.
- If something is taken, it should be returned.
- Small property rights should still be respected.
