The Hadith of Nu’man ibn Bashir (radiyallahu ‘anhu) regarding being equal in gifting among children

Question

I am looking for this full Hadith of Sayyiduna Nu’man ibn Bashir (radiyallahu ‘anhu).

It is narrated that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said, “Be fair among your children”

Answer

This narration has been recorded in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim a few times with variations in the wording. One such version as appears in Sahih Bukhari is as follows:

Sayyiduna Nu’man ibn Bashir (radiyallahu ‘anhu) was once on the pulpit when he said: “My father once gave me a gift. [My mother] ‘Amrah bintu Rawahah said, “I will not agree until you make Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) a witness.” So he went to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and said, “I gave my son from ‘Amrah bintu Rawahah a gift but she ordered me to make you as a witness to it O Messenger of Allah!” Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) asked, “Did you gift all of your children the like of it?” He replied, “No.” Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Fear Allah and be equal among your children.” He then said, “[My father] then returned and took back his gift.”

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 2587, Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1623)

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And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar