What is Sunan an-Nasa'i 3702 about?

This hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i (Book of The Book of Gifts), narrated by It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas that the Prophet said:, states: ""The likeness of the one who gives a gift then takes it back, is that of a dog which vomits, then goes back to its vomit and eats it.""

Is this hadith authentic?

This hadith is graded Sahih. Sahih hadiths are considered the most authentic grade in hadith classification.

Which collection is this hadith from?

This hadith is from Sunan an-Nasa'i, which contains 5,768 hadiths across 52 books. It is hadith number 3702 in the Book of The Book of Gifts.

I searched for a different number — is this the right hadith?

Hadith numbering varies across editions and translations (USC-MSA, Dar as-Salam, Fath al-Bari, and others). If you followed a link citing a different number but landed here, you may have been redirected to the canonical version in our library. If you were looking for a different hadith entirely, use the search bar to find it by text.

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Sunan an-Nasa'i #3702

The Book of Gifts

Sahih

The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.

أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الصَّمَدِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حَرْبٌ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ شَدَّادٍ - قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى، - هُوَ ابْنُ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ - قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ عَمْرٍو، - وَهُوَ الأَوْزَاعِيُّ - أَنَّ مُحَمَّدَ بْنَ عَلِيِّ بْنِ حُسَيْنِ بْنِ فَاطِمَةَ بِنْتِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ، صلى الله عليه وسلم حَدَّثَهُ عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ الْمُسَيَّبِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ مَثَلُ الَّذِي يَتَصَدَّقُ بِالصَّدَقَةِ ثُمَّ يَرْجِعُ فِيهَا كَمَثَلِ الْكَلْبِ قَاءَ ثُمَّ عَادَ فِي قَيْئِهِ فَأَكَلَهُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

"The likeness of the one who gives a gift then takes it back, is that of a dog which vomits, then goes back to its vomit and eats it."

Narrated by It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas that the Prophet said:

Context

In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ uses a vivid metaphor to illustrate the seriousness of retracting a gift or charity. He compares such an act to a dog returning to its vomit, emphasizing the distastefulness and dishonor of taking back what one has given. This teaching serves as a reminder of the importance of sincerity in our interactions and the value of maintaining trust and goodwill.

Modern Application

In today's society, this principle can be applied in various relationships, whether personal or professional. When someone gives a gift or offers help, it is essential to honor that gesture without expecting anything in return or retracting the offer later, as it can damage trust and respect.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Ethics of Interaction because it highlights the importance of sincerity and trust in giving and receiving.

Ethics of Interaction

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ الجُمُعَةِ

Al-Jumu'a (Friday)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

مَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا۟ ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَحْمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ ٱلْحِمَارِ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارًۢا ۚ بِئْسَ مَثَلُ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ

The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah and then did not take it on is like that of a donkey who carries volumes [of books]. Wretched is the example of the people who deny the signs of Allah. And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.

سُورَةُ البَقَرَةِ

Al-Baqara (The Cow)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تُبْطِلُوا۟ صَدَقَٰتِكُم بِٱلْمَنِّ وَٱلْأَذَىٰ كَٱلَّذِى يُنفِقُ مَالَهُۥ رِئَآءَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَا يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْءَاخِرِ ۖ فَمَثَلُهُۥ كَمَثَلِ صَفْوَانٍ عَلَيْهِ تُرَابٌۭ فَأَصَابَهُۥ وَابِلٌۭ فَتَرَكَهُۥ صَلْدًۭا ۖ لَّا يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَىٰ شَىْءٍۢ مِّمَّا كَسَبُوا۟ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِى ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ

O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. His example is like that of a [large] smooth stone upon which is dust and is hit by a downpour that leaves it bare. They are unable [to keep] anything of what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.

سُورَةُ الأَعۡرَافِ

Al-A'raaf (The Heights)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَرَفَعْنَٰهُ بِهَا وَلَٰكِنَّهُۥٓ أَخْلَدَ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱتَّبَعَ هَوَىٰهُ ۚ فَمَثَلُهُۥ كَمَثَلِ ٱلْكَلْبِ إِن تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْهِ يَلْهَثْ أَوْ تَتْرُكْهُ يَلْهَث ۚ ذَّٰلِكَ مَثَلُ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا ۚ فَٱقْصُصِ ٱلْقَصَصَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

And if We had willed, we could have elevated him thereby, but he adhered [instead] to the earth and followed his own desire. So his example is like that of the dog: if you chase him, he pants, or if you leave him, he [still] pants. That is the example of the people who denied Our signs. So relate the stories that perhaps they will give thought.

سُورَةُ اللَّيۡلِ

Al-Lail (The Night)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

2 ayahs

ٱلَّذِى يُؤْتِى مَالَهُۥ يَتَزَكَّىٰ

[He] who gives [from] his wealth to purify himself

فَأَمَّا مَنْ أَعْطَىٰ وَٱتَّقَىٰ

As for he who gives and fears Allah

Common Words

99 total79 unique12 repeated

ٱلذين4x

ٱلقوم4x

لا4x

مثل3x

كمثل3x

كذبوا2x

وٱلله2x

يهدى2x

ماله2x

فمثله2x

عليه2x

يلهث2x

حملوا1x

ٱلتورىة1x

ثم1x

لم1x

يحملوها1x

ٱلحمار1x

يحمل1x

أسفارا1x

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About Sunan an-Nasa'i

This hadith is #3702 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of Gifts. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated from Ibn 'Abbas that the Prophet said:.

Browse all Sunan an-Nasa'i All Hadith Collections

Sunan an-Nasa'i #3702

Context

Modern Application

Topics

Related Ayahs

Common Words

Related Hadiths

About Sunan an-Nasa'i

About This Hadith