Hadith Reference:
عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: قَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِالْعُمْرَى لِمَنْ وُهِبَتْ لَهُ
Narrated by Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah (RA):
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ ruled that the ‘Umrā (lifetime gift) belongs to the one to whom it is given.”
[Sahih Muslim: 1625]
"This is yours for as long as you live."
The Prophet ﷺ clarified this concept in two scenarios:
① If the gift is made without restriction, such as saying:
"This is for you and your descendants,"
then it becomes the full ownership of the recipient. Even after their death, it remains with their heirs, like inheritance.
② If it is conditioned upon life, such as stating:
"This is yours for as long as you live,"
then after their death, the property returns to the original owner.
[Sahih Muslim: Book of Gifts, Hadith 1625]
This content is derived from the Urdu commentary on ‘Umdat al-Aḥkām min Kalām Khayr al-Anām, translated by Hafiz Faizullah Nasir.
عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: قَضَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ بِالْعُمْرَى لِمَنْ وُهِبَتْ لَهُ
Narrated by Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah (RA):
“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ ruled that the ‘Umrā (lifetime gift) belongs to the one to whom it is given.”
[Sahih Muslim: 1625]
✿ Explanation of Terminology:
- الْعُمْرَى (‘Umrā): Derived from the word “ʿumr” (life), it refers to the practice where someone gives a house, land, or property to another person, stating that it is theirs for as long as they live.
- لِعَقِبِهِ (Li-ʿAqibihi): Refers to the recipient's descendants — i.e., his children or heirs.
✿ Explanation of the Hadith:
In the era of ignorance (Jāhiliyyah), it was customary for people to gift properties as lifetime possessions, saying:"This is yours for as long as you live."
The Prophet ﷺ clarified this concept in two scenarios:
① If the gift is made without restriction, such as saying:
"This is for you and your descendants,"
then it becomes the full ownership of the recipient. Even after their death, it remains with their heirs, like inheritance.
② If it is conditioned upon life, such as stating:
"This is yours for as long as you live,"
then after their death, the property returns to the original owner.
✿ Additional Wording from Sahih Muslim:
“Retain your wealth and do not squander it, for whoever gives something as ‘Umrā, it belongs to the one to whom it is given — in life and in death, and to their heirs.”[Sahih Muslim: Book of Gifts, Hadith 1625]
✿ Practical Lesson:
This Hadith encourages financial prudence and foresight. The Prophet ﷺ warned against impulsive generosity that may result in future regret. A gift made as ‘Umrā becomes irrevocable and is treated like a permanent transfer of ownership — extending even to the recipient’s heirs. This content is derived from the Urdu commentary on ‘Umdat al-Aḥkām min Kalām Khayr al-Anām, translated by Hafiz Faizullah Nasir.