808 – Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Exchange gifts, for a gift removes resentment.” Al-Bazzar recorded it with a weak chain (1).

Hadith grading:
The hadith is weak because its chain includes Bakr ibn Bukār, who himself is weak, though his narrations are not considered reprehensible. Al-Haythamī likewise judged it weak in Majmaʿ al-Zawāʾid through the narration of ʿĀʾidh ibn Shurayḥ. All of its corroborating reports are weak as well.

Vocabulary of the hadith:
• al-hadīyah (the gift): with a doubled yāʾ, derived from the verb ahdā, which appears only in the transitive form with a hamzah. It refers to something given as a token of honour and affection.
• tasullu: from salla, yasullu, sallan (form I, pattern qatala), meaning to draw out or remove gently and unobtrusively. Al-Nihāyah says: “He salla the camel, and the like, in the depth of night when he snatched it from among the herd.” Here it signifies removing rancour by subtle, delicate means.
• al-sakhīmah: a verbal noun; its plural is sakhāʾim. Originally it denotes blackness, and in this context it means spite or malice. The link is perhaps that the physical darkness reflects the shadow such emotions cast on people’s faces.

Lessons drawn from the two hadiths:
1 – Hadith no. 857 shows that giving presents is a potent means of engendering affection and love among people, for human beings are naturally inclined to love those who treat them kindly.
2 – Accordingly, the gift is recommended because of the benefit and harmony it brings, for the religion of Islam is