Wednesday 3 February 2016

The Forgotten Sunnah of Reciprocation



It is from the Sunnah that you should reciprocate the one who does you a favour. The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam) has enjoined that when he said: “Whoever does you a favour, then reciprocate, and if you cannot find anything with which to reciprocate, then pray for him until you think that you have reciprocated him.”[1]

Commenting on hadeeth no. 1496 in Riyaadus-Saaliheen, Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

“Reciprocation depends on the situation. With some people, reciprocation may be by giving him something similar to what he gave you, or more. With others it may be by praying for him as he may not be pleased that you should reciprocate with money. This is because if a great man who has a lot of wealth and high status and honour among his people gives you something and you give him a similar gift, he will consider that to be diminution in his right. However, for such a person you should pray to Allaah for him. “And if you cannot find anything with which to reciprocate, then pray for him until you think that you have reciprocated him.” Among the du’aa is for you to say to him, Jazaakallaahu Khayran. When he gives you something or benefits you with something, say to him, Jazaakallaahu Khayran, for you have done enough to thank him. That is because if Allaah the Most High rewards him with good, that will bring him happiness in this world and in the Hereafter.”[2]


[1] Recorded by Aboo Daawood and graded authentic by al-Albaanee
[2] Sharh Riyaad as-Saaliheen, vol. 4, p. 29

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