Shari‘ah Ruling on Taking Back a Gift After Giving It
✒ Fatwa by the Saudi Permanent Committee for Islamic Rulings
◈ Taking Back a Gift After Giving It
It is not permissible in Islam to reclaim a gift once it has been given. This prohibition is based on the authentic sayings of the Prophet ﷺ:
“The one who takes back his gift is like a dog who vomits and then returns to lick it.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2589, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 1622/8)
In another narration, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“We should not imitate the bad example of one who, after giving a gift, takes it back; he is like a dog who eats its own vomit.”
(Sunan al-Nasāʾī: 3699)
This establishes that retracting a gift is an immoral and blameworthy act, and Muslims should avoid such conduct.
🖋 Reference:
Permanent Committee for Islamic Rulings – Fatwa No. 6609
