Riyad as-Salihin, 1613

'Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

I donated a horse in the way of Allah. Its new possessor did not treat it properly. I made my mind to buy it because I thought that he would sell it at a cheap price (now that it became weak and emaciated). I asked the Prophet (ﷺ) about it, whereupon he said, "Do not buy it and do not get back your charity, for one who gets back the charity is like a dog that eats its own vomit." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

وعن عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ حملت على فرس في سبيل الله فأضاعه الذي كان عنده، فأردت أن أشتريه، وظننت أنه يبيعه برخص، فسألت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال‏:‏ ‏"‏لا تشتره ولا تعد في صدقتك وإن أعطاكه بدرهم، فإن العائد في صدقته كالعائد في قيئه‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ قوله‏:‏ ‏"‏حملت على فرس في سبيل الله‏"‏ معناه‏:‏ تصدقت به على بعض المجاهدين‏.‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Book 17, Hadith 103

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadiths: 1) It is impermissible for anyone to take back his gift or charity, because what is given in the cause of Allah should not be taken back. 2) Selling the gift or object of charity to the one who gave it is forbidden, because the one who takes back his charity is like a dog who swallows back its vomit. This parable was set in order to avert people from doing this deed, and it is not for Muslims to follow a bad example. Benefit: The Hadith indicates the prohibition of taking back gifts and objects of charity after delivering them, but an exception to this is the gift a father gives to his child, based on the statement of the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him): “You and your property belong to your father.” [Narrated by Ibn Mājah] He (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) also said: “It is unlawful for a man to give a gift or charity then take it back, except for a parent with regard to what he gives to his child.” [Narrated by Abu Dāwūd]

Related hadiths8