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 3713 in the Book of The Book of Gifts.

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#3712

#3713

Sunan an-Nasa'i

#3714

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Sunan an-Nasa'i #3713

Q: What is Sunan an-Nasa'i 3713 about?

This hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i (Book of The Book of Gifts), narrated by It was narrated from Hanzalah that he heard Tawus say:, states: ""Some of those who met the Prophet told us that he said: 'The likeness of the one who gives (something), then takes back his gift, is that of a dog which eats, then vomits, then eats its vomit.'""

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 مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمِ بْنِ نُعَيْمٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا حِبَّانُ، أَنْبَأَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، عَنْ حَنْظَلَةَ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ طَاوُسًا، يَقُولُ أَخْبَرَنَا بَعْضُ، مَنْ أَدْرَكَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ قَالَ ‏ "‏ مَثَلُ الَّذِي يَهَبُ فَيَرْجِعُ فِي هِبَتِهِ كَمَثَلِ الْكَلْبِ يَأْكُلُ فَيَقِيءُ ثُمَّ يَأْكُلُ قَيْئَهُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

"Some of those who met the Prophet told us that he said: 'The likeness of the one who gives (something), then takes back his gift, is that of a dog which eats, then vomits, then eats its vomit.'"

Narrated by It was narrated from Hanzalah that he heard Tawus say:

Context

Tawus recounts a teaching from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about the futility of self-inflicted hardship in worship. The Prophet ﷺ advises a man who vowed to walk to the Ka'bah to instead ride, emphasizing that Allah does not benefit from unnecessary suffering.

Modern Application

This principle encourages individuals to approach their religious duties with balance and practicality. It serves as a reminder that faith should not lead to undue hardship, and one should seek ease in worship.

Topics

This hadith is tagged with Prophetic Etiquette and Oaths and Vows because it addresses the proper conduct in fulfilling vows and the etiquette of worship.

Charity Ethics of Interaction

Related Ayahs

سُورَةُ عَبَسَ

Abasa (He frowned)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

1 ayah

عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ

The Prophet frowned and turned away

سُورَةُ التَّوۡبَةِ

At-Tawba (The Repentance)

2 ayahs

وَمِنْهُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ ٱلنَّبِىَّ وَيَقُولُونَ هُوَ أُذُنٌۭ ۚ قُلْ أُذُنُ خَيْرٍۢ لَّكُمْ يُؤْمِنُ بِٱللَّهِ وَيُؤْمِنُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَرَحْمَةٌۭ لِّلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ مِنكُمْ ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْذُونَ رَسُولَ ٱللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ

And among them are those who abuse the Prophet and say, "He is an ear." Say, "[It is] an ear of goodness for you that believes in Allah and believes the believers and [is] a mercy to those who believe among you." And those who abuse the Messenger of Allah - for them is a painful punishment.

وَمِنْهُم مَّن يَلْمِزُكَ فِى ٱلصَّدَقَٰتِ فَإِنْ أُعْطُوا۟ مِنْهَا رَضُوا۟ وَإِن لَّمْ يُعْطَوْا۟ مِنْهَآ إِذَا هُمْ يَسْخَطُونَ

And among them are some who criticize you concerning the [distribution of] charities. If they are given from them, they approve; but if they are not given from them, at once they become angry.

سُورَةُ الأَعۡرَافِ

Al-A'raaf (The Heights)

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

2 ayahs

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.

وَٱتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ ٱلَّذِىٓ ءَاتَيْنَٰهُ ءَايَٰتِنَا فَٱنسَلَخَ مِنْهَا فَأَتْبَعَهُ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ فَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْغَاوِينَ

And recite to them, [O Muhammad], the news of him to whom we gave [knowledge of] Our signs, but he detached himself from them; so Satan pursued him, and he became of the deviators.

Common Words

91 total82 unique8 repeated

منها3x

ٱلله2x

ومنهم2x

ٱلذين2x

يؤذون2x

أذن2x

يلهث2x

من2x

بسم1x

ٱلرحمن1x

ٱلرحيم1x

عبس1x

وتولى1x

ٱلنبى1x

ويقولون1x

هو1x

قل1x

خير1x

لكم1x

يؤمن1x

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About Sunan an-Nasa'i

This hadith is #3713 from Sunan an-Nasa'i, in the Book of The Book of Gifts. It is graded Sahih and narrated by It was narrated from Hanzalah that he heard Tawus say:.

Browse all Sunan an-Nasa'i All Hadith Collections