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مسند اسحاق بن راهويه
Musnad Ishaq
كتاب الهبة و فضلهاBook of Gifts and Their Virtue
It is not permissible to take back a gift or present
Hadith 496
اُردوEn
أَخْبَرَنَا النَّضْرُ، نا عَوْفُ بْنُ أَبِي جَمِيلَةَ الْأَعْرَابِيُّ، عَنْ خِلَاسِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: ((مَثَلُ الَّذِي يُعْطِي الْعَطِيَّةَ، ثُمَّ يَعُودُ فِيهَا كَمَثَلِ الْكَلْبِ يَأْكُلُ حَتَّى إِذَا شَبِعَ قَاءَ، ثُمَّ يَعُودُ فِي قَيْئِهِ فَيَأْكُلُهُ)).
Narrated Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), he said: "The one who takes back his gift is like a dog that keeps eating until it is full, then vomits, and then starts eating its vomit."
Explanation & Benefits
Hafiz Abdush Shakoor Tirmidhi
Benefits:
From the aforementioned hadith, it is understood that after giving someone a gift or present, it is not permissible to take it back. This act is so vile and despicable that such a person has been likened to a dog. And the thing that was given as a gift has been described as vomit, which a person finds extremely repulsive. It is stated in Sahih al-Bukhari: ((لَیْسَ لَنَا مَثَلَ السُّوْءِ)) (Bukhari, Kitab al-Hibah, no. 2622)... “We Muslims should not adopt an evil example.” Giving gifts creates love between one another; that is why the Shari‘ah has encouraged giving gifts. However, if it is taken back, it will create hatred.
The Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “It is not permissible for any Muslim man to give a gift and then take it back, except for a father; it is permissible for him to take back the gift he gave to his child.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, no. 3539; Sunan Ibn Majah, no. 2377)
It is thus understood that a father may take back the gift he gave to his children. The majority of scholars also hold this view.
From the aforementioned hadith, it is understood that after giving someone a gift or present, it is not permissible to take it back. This act is so vile and despicable that such a person has been likened to a dog. And the thing that was given as a gift has been described as vomit, which a person finds extremely repulsive. It is stated in Sahih al-Bukhari: ((لَیْسَ لَنَا مَثَلَ السُّوْءِ)) (Bukhari, Kitab al-Hibah, no. 2622)... “We Muslims should not adopt an evil example.” Giving gifts creates love between one another; that is why the Shari‘ah has encouraged giving gifts. However, if it is taken back, it will create hatred.
The Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “It is not permissible for any Muslim man to give a gift and then take it back, except for a father; it is permissible for him to take back the gift he gave to his child.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, no. 3539; Sunan Ibn Majah, no. 2377)
It is thus understood that a father may take back the gift he gave to his children. The majority of scholars also hold this view.
Source: Musnad Ishaq bin Rahwayh, Page: 496
