Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 285

Undesirability of giving a Gift and then ask back for it

باب كراهية عودة الإنسان في هبة لم يسلمها إلى الموهوب له وفي هبة وهبها لولده وسلمها أو لم يسلمها إلى الموهوب له وفي هبة وهبها لولده وسلمها أو لم يسلمها وكراهة شرائه شيئًا تصدق به من الذي تصدق عليه أو أخرجه عن زكاة أو كفارة ونحوها ولا بأس بشرائه من شخص آخر قد انتقل إليه

This chapter draws a clear line under generosity: once you have given something away, whether a gift or a charity, it is no longer yours to reclaim. The Prophet (peace be upon him) uses a deliberately repellent image, a dog returning to its own vomit, so that the heart recoils from the very idea of taking back what was given for a noble purpose.

Notice how both narrations protect the giver from himself. A gift is meant to leave the hand cleanly, and an act of charity is meant to rise to Allah, not circle back into our possession. Watch how even a clever, practical reason to buy it back is gently refused, because the lesson is about the dignity of giving, not the price.

Hadith 1612

Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said:

عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏الذي يعود في هبته كالكلب يرجع في قيئه‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏وفي رواية‏:‏ ‏"‏مثل الذي يرجع في صدقته، كمثل الكلب يقيء، ثم يعود في قيئه فيأكله‏"‏‏.‏ وفي رواية‏:‏ ‏"‏العائد في هبته كالعائد في قيئه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who gives something (to someone) as a gift and then gets it back (from him or her) is like a dog which eats its own vomit." Another narration is: "He who gets back his charity is like a dog which vomits and then returns to that and eats it." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

Someone who gives a gift and then takes it back is likened to a dog returning to its own vomit. Once given, a gift or charity should not be reclaimed.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1612 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 102

Hadith 1613

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

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.‏

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]

In plain words

'Umar wanted to buy back a horse he had given in charity, but the Prophet (peace be upon him) told him not to take back his charity, comparing it to a dog eating its vomit. What is given for Allah's sake should not circle back to you, even by purchase.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1613 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 103