(285) Chapter: Undesirability of giving a Gift and then ask back for it

Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: 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]. Commentary: The evil and abomination of taking back a gift (Hibah) is evident from the fact that one who does it has been considered akin to a dog, and what is taken back to vomit, which is extremely repulsive. Religious scholars are, however, of the opinion that this injunction is for the strangers (non-relatives). If a person gives something as a gift to his children or grandchildren, this order will not apply to him. It is permissible for him to take it back.