Book 11: Business Transactions

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s Messenger as saying, "None of you may take back his gift, except in the case of a father taking it from his child.” Nasa’i and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar and Ibn ‘Abbas reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, “It is not lawful for a man to give a gift and then take it back, except a father regarding what he gives his child. One who gives a gift and then takes it back is like a dog which eats and vomits when it is full, then returns to its vomit." Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i and Ibn Majah transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying it is sahih.

Abu Huraira said that a desert Arab presented God’s Messenger with a young she-camel, in return for which he gave him six young she- camels. He was displeased, and when the Prophet (ﷺ) heard that, he praised and extolled God and said, “So and so presented me with a she-camel and I gave him six young she-camels in return for it, but he was displeased. I feel inclined to accept a present only from a Qurashi, an Ansari, a Thaqafi, or a Dausi." Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

Jabir reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, “If anyone is given a gift and has the means he should make a return for it, but if he has not the means he should express commendation, for he who expresses commendation has given thanks, he who conceals a matter has been ungrateful, and he who decks himself with what he has not been given is like him who puts on the two garments of falsehood.” Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Usama b. Zaid reported God’s Messenger as saying, “If one is done a kindness and expresses to his benefactor a desire that God may give him a good reward, he has fully expressed his commendation.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God's Messenger as saying, “He who does not thank people does not thank God.” Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Anas said that when God’s Messenger came to Medina the Emigrants came to him and said, “Messenger of God, we have never seen people more liberal out of abundance or better in giving help when they have little than a people among whom we have settled. They have removed our trouble and shared with us their pleasant things so that we are afraid they will get the whole reward." He replied, ‘No, as long as you make supplication to God for them and express commendation of them*.” * They have no reason to fear that the Ansar will get all the reward from God so long as due expression of thanks is made. Tirmidhi transmitted it saying that it is sahih.

‘A’isha reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, "Give presents to one another, for a present removes grudges.” …transmitted it. (Mirqat, 3:380 says that Tirmidhi is the source in which this tradition is found. I have looked for it with the help of the Concordance, but have been unable to find it.

Abu Huraira reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, "Give presents to one another for a present removes rancour from the breast, and a woman should not despise even the gift of half (Or part of) a sheep’s trotter from her neighbour.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s Messenger as saying, "Three things should not be rejected: cushions, oil (duhn)* and milk.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition. * It is said that by duhn he meant perfume. Duhn is used of oil or grease with which one anoints oneself. The point of the explanation of the meaning is evidently that a kind of scented oil is here intended.

Abu ‘Uthman an-Nahdi reported God’s Messenger as saying, "When one of you is given basil he must not reject it, for it has come forth from paradise.” Tirmidhi transmitted it in mursal form.