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.
The Book of Gifts - Sahih Muslim 1623g
This narration from Sahih Muslim concerns the Prophet's guidance on equitable treatment of children in gift-giving, demonstrating the Islamic principle of justice in familial relations.
Contextual Background
The hadith recounts when a companion named Bashir ibn Sa'd came to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) with his son Nu'man, seeking the Prophet to witness a gift he intended to bestow exclusively upon this son.
The Prophet's immediate inquiry about whether Bashir had other children establishes the framework for the subsequent ruling, highlighting the importance of comprehensive consideration in judicial matters.
Scholarly Commentary
Classical scholars like Imam Nawawi explains that this hadith establishes the prohibition of favoring some children over others in gift-giving. Such preferential treatment constitutes injustice (zulm) which the Shariah condemns.
Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi in al-Mughni emphasizes that equity among children in gifts is obligatory, drawing analogy from the equal distribution required in inheritance. The wisdom behind this ruling preserves family harmony and prevents envy and discord among siblings.
The Prophet's refusal to witness an unjust act demonstrates that Muslims should neither participate in nor condone injustice, even if merely as witnesses. This establishes the principle of rejecting and speaking out against wrongdoing in all its forms.
Legal Implications
The majority of scholars hold that giving preferential gifts to some children over others is prohibited (haram) unless there is a legitimate reason such as special need, disability, or compensating for what others received through other means.
If such unequal treatment has occurred, the favored child must return the excess to ensure equitable distribution among all siblings, thus rectifying the injustice.
Contemporary Application
This teaching remains profoundly relevant today, guiding Muslim parents to maintain fairness in financial treatment of children, whether in gifts, educational expenses, or other forms of material support.
The principle extends beyond material gifts to include emotional support, time allocation, and praise - all of which should be distributed equitably among children to nurture healthy family relationships grounded in Islamic values of justice and compassion.