The Book of Gifts

I donated a pedigree horse in the path of Allah. Its possessor made it languish. I thought that he would sell it at a cheap price. I asked Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) about it, whereupon he said: Don't buy it and do not get back your charity, for one who gets back the charity is like a dog who swallows…

حَمَلْتُ عَلَى فَرَسٍ عَتِيقٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَأَضَاعَهُ صَاحِبُهُ فَظَنَنْتُ أَنَّهُ بَائِعُهُ بِرُخْصٍ فَسَأَلْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ لاَ تَبْتَعْهُ وَلاَ تَعُدْ فِي…

Narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattāb + 9 other versions

" Don't buy that even if he gives you for one dirham."

وَحَدَّثَنِيهِ زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ مَهْدِيٍّ - عَنْ مَالِكِ، بْنِ أَنَسٍ بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ وَزَادَ ‏"‏ لاَ تَبْتَعْهُ وَإِنْ أَعْطَاكَهُ بِدِرْهَمٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

+ 9 other versions

Don't buy that even if you get it for a dirham for he who gets back the charity is like a dog which swallows its vomit.

حَمَلَ عَلَى فَرَسٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَوَجَدَهُ عِنْدَ صَاحِبِهِ وَقَدْ أَضَاعَهُ وَكَانَ قَلِيلَ الْمَالِ فَأَرَادَ أَنْ يَشْتَرِيَهُ فَأَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَذَكَرَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ لاَ…

Narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattāb + 7 other versions

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Zaid b. Aslam with the same chain of transmitters but with this (change) that the hadith transmitted on the authority of Malik and Rauh (he was the son of Qisirn) is more complete and lengthy.

وَحَدَّثَنَاهُ ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ غَيْرَ أَنَّ مَالِكٍ وَرَوْحٍ أَتَمُّ وَأَكْثَرُ ‏.‏

+ 7 other versions

Don't buy that and do not get back what you gave in charity.

حَمَلَ عَلَى فَرَسٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَوَجَدَهُ يُبَاعُ فَأَرَادَ أَنْ يَبْتَاعَهُ فَسَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ لاَ تَبْتَعْهُ وَلاَ تَعُدْ فِي صَدَقَتِكَ ‏"

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar + 4 other versions

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Umar through another chain of transmitters.

وَحَدَّثَنَاهُ قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، وَابْنُ، رُمْحٍ جَمِيعًا عَنِ اللَّيْثِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا الْمُقَدَّمِيُّ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، وَهُوَ الْقَطَّانُ ح وَحَدَّثَنَا…

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar + 4 other versions

Umar, do not get back what you gave as charity.

، حَمَلَ عَلَى فَرَسٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ رَآهَا تُبَاعُ فَأَرَادَ أَنْ يَشْتَرِيَهَا فَسَأَلَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ لاَ تَعُدْ فِي صَدَقَتِكَ يَا عُمَرُ ‏"

Narrated by Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar + 3 other versions

He who gets back his charity is like a dog which vomits, and then returns to that and eats it.

مَثَلُ الَّذِي يَرْجِعُ فِي صَدَقَتِهِ كَمَثَلِ الْكَلْبِ يَقِيءُ ثُمَّ يَعُودُ فِي قَيْئِهِ فَيَأْكُلُهُ ‏"

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 3 other versions

This hadith is also reported through another chain.

وَحَدَّثَنَاهُ أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ، عَنِ الأَوْزَاعِيِّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ الْحُسَيْنِ، يَذْكُرُ بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ نَحْوَهُ ‏.‏

+ 3 other versions

A hadith like this is reported on the authority of Muhammad son of Fatima (Allah be pleased with her) daughter of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ).

وَحَدَّثَنِيهِ حَجَّاجُ بْنُ الشَّاعِرِ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الصَّمَدِ، حَدَّثَنَا حَرْبٌ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ - حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَمْرٍو، أَنَّ مُحَمَّدَ ابْنَ فَاطِمَةَ…

I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) say: The similitude of one who gives a charity and then gets it back is like that of a dog which vomits and then eats its vomit.

إِنَّمَا مَثَلُ الَّذِي يَتَصَدَّقُ بِصَدَقَةٍ ثُمَّ يَعُودُ فِي صَدَقَتِهِ كَمَثَلِ الْكَلْبِ يَقِيءُ ثُمَّ يَأْكُلُ قَيْأَهُ ‏"

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 1 other version

One who gets back the gift is like one who eats vomit.

الْعَائِدُ فِي هِبَتِهِ كَالْعَائِدِ فِي قَيْئِهِ ‏"

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 13 other versions

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Qatada with the same chain of transmitters.

وَحَدَّثَنَاهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عَدِيٍّ، عَنْ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ مِثْلَهُ ‏.‏

+ 1 other version

One who gets back his gift is like a dog which vomits and then swallows that vomit.

الْعَائِدُ فِي هِبَتِهِ كَالْكَلْبِ يَقِيءُ ثُمَّ يَعُودُ فِي قَيْئِهِ ‏"

Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbās + 6 other versions

I have donated this slave of mine to my son. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Have you donated to every one of your sons (a slave) like this? He said: No. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (may peace he upon him) said: Then take him back.

إِنِّي نَحَلْتُ ابْنِي هَذَا غُلاَمًا كَانَ لِي ‏.‏ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ أَكُلَّ وَلَدِكَ نَحَلْتَهُ مِثْلَ هَذَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ لاَ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏…

Narrated by An-Nu‘mān ibn Bashīr + 4 other versions

My father brought me to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said: I have donated this slave to my son. whereupon he said: Have you made (such) donation to every one or your sons? He said: No. Thereupon he (the-Holy Prophet) said: Then take him back.

إِنِّي نَحَلْتُ ابْنِي هَذَا غُلاَمًا ‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ أَكُلَّ بَنِيكَ نَحَلْتَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ لاَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَارْدُدْهُ ‏"

Narrated by An-Nu‘mān ibn Bashīr + 2 other versions

This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Zuhri with different chains of transmitters and a slight variation of words.

وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَإِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، وَابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُيَيْنَةَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، وَابْنُ، رُمْحٍ عَنِ اللَّيْثِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي حَرْمَلَةُ…

Narrated by An-Nu‘mān ibn Bashīr + 2 other versions

Who is this slave (how have you come to possess it)? Thereupon he (Nu'man b. Bashir) said: My father has donated it to me, whereupon he said: Have all brothers (of yours) been given this gift as given to you? He said: No. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Then return him.

وَقَدْ أَعْطَاهُ أَبُوهُ غُلاَمًا فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ مَا هَذَا الْغُلاَمُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَعْطَانِيهِ أَبِي ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَكُلَّ إِخْوَتِهِ أَعْطَيْتَهُ كَمَا أَعْطَيْتَ هَذَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ…

Narrated by An-Nu‘mān ibn Bashīr

My father donated to me some of his property. My mother Amra bint Rawaha said: I shall not be pleased (with this act) until you make Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) a witness to it. My father went to Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) in order to make him the witness of the donation given to me. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said…

تَصَدَّقَ عَلَىَّ أَبِي بِبَعْضِ مَالِهِ فَقَالَتْ أُمِّي عَمْرَةُ بِنْتُ رَوَاحَةَ لاَ أَرْضَى حَتَّى تُشْهِدَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏.‏ فَانْطَلَقَ أَبِي إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِيُشْهِدَهُ…

Narrated by An-Nu‘mān ibn Bashīr

Then do not make me a witness, for I do not bear witness to injustice

His mother, Bint Rawāhah, asked his father for some of his wealth as a gift for her son. He hesitated for a year, but then he decided. She said: I will not be satisfied until you make the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) witness what you have given to my son. So, my…

أَلَكَ وَلَدٌ سِوَى هَذَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ نَعَمْ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ أَكُلَّهُمْ وَهَبْتَ لَهُ مِثْلَ هَذَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ لاَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَلاَ تُشْهِدْنِي إِذًا فَإِنِّي لاَ أَشْهَدُ عَلَى جَوْرٍ ‏"

Narrated by An-Nu‘mān ibn Bashīr + 3 other versions Explained

Have you, besides him, other sons? He said: Yes. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Have you given gifts to all of them like this (as you have given to Nu'man)? He said: No. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: I cannot bear witness to an injustice.

أَلَكَ بَنُونَ سِوَاهُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ نَعَمْ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَكُلَّهُمْ أَعْطَيْتَ مِثْلَ هَذَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ لاَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَلاَ أَشْهَدُ عَلَى جَوْرٍ ‏"

Narrated by An-Nu‘mān ibn Bashīr + 2 other versions

Call me not as witness to an injustice.

لأَبِيهِ ‏"‏ لاَ تُشْهِدْنِي عَلَى جَوْرٍ ‏"

Narrated by An-Nu‘mān ibn Bashīr

My father took me to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said: Allah's Messenger, bear witness that I have given such and such gift to Nu'man from my property, whereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Have you conferred upon all of your sons as you have conferred upon Nu'man? He said: No. Thereupon he (the Holy…

اشْهَدْ أَنِّي قَدْ نَحَلْتُ النُّعْمَانَ كَذَا وَكَذَا مِنْ مَالِي ‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ أَكُلَّ بَنِيكَ قَدْ نَحَلْتَ مِثْلَ مَا نَحَلْتَ النُّعْمَانَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ لاَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَأَشْهِدْ عَلَى هَذَا غَيْرِي - ثُمَّ…

Narrated by An-Nu‘mān ibn Bashīr + 4 other versions

My father conferred a gift upon me, and then brought me to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) to make him a witness (to it). He (the Holy Prophet) said: Have you given such gift to every son of yours (as you have given to Nu'man)? He said: No. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Don't you expect goodness from…

أَكُلَّ وَلَدِكَ أَعْطَيْتَهُ هَذَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ لاَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ أَلَيْسَ تُرِيدُ مِنْهُمُ الْبِرَّ مِثْلَ مَا تُرِيدُ مِنْ ذَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ بَلَى ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ فَإِنِّي لاَ أَشْهَدُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ ابْنُ عَوْنٍ…

Narrated by An-Nu‘mān ibn Bashīr

Give to my son your slave as a gift, and make for me Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) a witness He came to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and said: The daughter of so and so (his wife Amra bint Rawaha) asked me to give my slave as a gift to her son, and call for me Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as a witness. Thereupon he (the…

انْحَلِ ابْنِي غُلاَمَكَ وَأَشْهِدْ لِي رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏.‏ فَأَتَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ إِنَّ ابْنَةَ فُلاَنٍ سَأَلَتْنِي أَنْ أَنْحَلَ ابْنَهَا غُلاَمِي وَقَالَتْ أَشْهِدْ لِي…

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 3 other versions

"Any man who is given a gift for life, it belongs to him and his heirs. It belongs to the one to whom it is given, and does not go back to the one who gave it, because he has given it in such a way that it is subject to the rules of inheritance."

أَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ أُعْمِرَ عُمْرَى لَهُ وَلِعَقِبِهِ فَإِنَّهَا لِلَّذِي أُعْطِيَهَا لاَ تَرْجِعُ إِلَى الَّذِي أَعْطَاهَا لأَنَّهُ أَعْطَى عَطَاءً وَقَعَتْ فِيهِ الْمَوَارِيثُ ‏"

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 21 other versions

He who conferred a life grant upon a person, it becomes his possession and that of his successors, for he surrendered his right in that by his declaration. (This property) now belongs to one to whom this lifelong grant has been made, and to his successors. Yahya narrated in the beginning of his…

مَنْ أَعْمَرَ رَجُلاً عُمْرَى لَهُ وَلِعَقِبِهِ فَقَدْ قَطَعَ قَوْلُهُ حَقَّهُ فِيهَا وَهِيَ لِمَنْ أُعْمِرَ وَلِعَقِبِهِ ‏"

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 2 other versions

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Whoever a person conferred Umra (life grant) upon a person and he says: I confer upon you this and upon your descendants and anyone who survives you, and that becomes his possession and that of his posterity. It would become (a permanent possession) of those who were…

أَيُّمَا رَجُلٍ أَعْمَرَ رَجُلاً عُمْرَى لَهُ وَلِعَقِبِهِ

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 21 other versions

The Umra for which Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) gave sanction that a person way say: This (property) is for you and for your descendants. And when he said: That is for you as long as you live, then it will return to its owner (after the death of the donee). Ma'mar said: Zuhri used to give religious…

إِنَّمَا الْعُمْرَى الَّتِي أَجَازَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ يَقُولَ هِيَ لَكَ وَلِعَقِبِكَ ‏.‏ فَأَمَّا إِذَا قَالَ هِيَ لَكَ مَا عِشْتَ ‏.‏

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 21 other versions

For he conferred a grant and as such it becomes heritage. and the right of inheritance abrogated his condition.

قَضَى فِيمَنْ أُعْمِرَ عُمْرَى لَهُ وَلِعَقِبِهِ فَهِيَ لَهُ بَتْلَةً لاَ يَجُوزُ لِلْمُعْطِي فِيهَا شَرْطٌ وَلاَ ثُنْيَا ‏.‏

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 1 other version

Life grant is for one upon whom it is bestowed.

الْعُمْرَى لِمَنْ وُهِبَتْ لَهُ ‏"

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 6 other versions

Jabir b. 'Abdullah reported a hadith like this through another chain of transmitters.

وَحَدَّثَنَاهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاذُ بْنُ هِشَامٍ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ أَبِي، كَثِيرٍ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، أَنَّ…

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh

Jabir reported this hadith directly from Allah's Apostle (ﷺ)

حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ، يَرْفَعُهُ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏.‏

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 1 other version

Keep your property to yourselves and do not squander it, for he who conferred a life grant upon another that property will belong to him upon whom it is conferred whether he lives or dies, and (would pass on) to his successors (as heritage).

أَمْسِكُوا عَلَيْكُمْ أَمْوَالَكُمْ وَلاَ تُفْسِدُوهَا فَإِنَّهُ مَنْ أَعْمَرَ عُمْرَى فَهِيَ لِلَّذِي أُعْمِرَهَا حَيًّا وَمَيِّتًا وَلِعَقِبِهِ ‏"

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 21 other versions

" The Helpers (Ansar) conferred the benefit of 'Umra, upon the Emigrants (Muhajirin), whereupon Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said: Keep your property to yourselves.

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بِشْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حَجَّاجُ بْنُ أَبِي عُثْمَانَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَإِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ وَكِيعٍ، عَنْ…

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 21 other versions

This garden has returned to us. The sons of the one who had been given life grant said: This belonged to our father, during his lifetime and in case of his death. They took their dispute to Tariq, the freed slave of 'Uthman. He called Jabir and he gave testimony of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) having…

أَعْمَرَتِ امْرَأَةٌ بِالْمَدِينَةِ حَائِطًا لَهَا ابْنًا لَهَا ثُمَّ تُوُفِّيَ وَتُوُفِّيَتْ بَعْدَهُ وَتَرَكَتْ وَلَدًا وَلَهُ إِخْوَةٌ بَنُونَ لِلْمُعْمِرَةِ فَقَالَ وَلَدُ الْمُعْمِرَةِ رَجَعَ الْحَائِطُ إِلَيْنَا…

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh

Sulaiman b. Yasir reported that Jabir gave this verdict. The inheritor has a right (to inherit) the life grant according to the statement of Jabir (b. 'Abdullah) (Allah be pleased with him) which he narrated from Allah's Messenger (ﷺ).

، قَضَى بِالْعُمْرَى لِلْوَارِثِ لِقَوْلِ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏.‏

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 1 other version

Life grant is permissible.

الْعُمْرَى جَائِزَةٌ ‏"

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh

Life grant is the heritage of one upon whom it is conferred.

الْعُمْرَى مِيرَاثٌ لأَهْلِهَا ‏"

Narrated by Jābir ibn ‘Abdullāh + 2 other versions

Life grant is permissible.

الْعُمْرَى جَائِزَةٌ ‏"

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

This hadith is narrated on the authority of Qatada with the same chain of transmitters.

وَحَدَّثَنِيهِ يَحْيَى بْنُ حَبِيبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ الْحَارِثِ - حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدٌ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ ‏"‏ مِيرَاثٌ لأَهْلِهَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ أَوْ قَالَ ‏"‏ جَائِزَةٌ…

Narrated by Abu Hurayrah