Islamic Ruling on a Father Taking Back a Gift from His Son

Authored by: Saudi Fatwa Committee

Ruling on a Father Retrieving a Gift Given to His Son​

If a father sees wisdom and benefit in taking back a gift from his son, and the son has the ability to return it, then it is permissible for the father to do so. This is based on the saying of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ):

"It is not permissible for a Muslim man to give a gift and then take it back, except for a father who can take back what he has given to his son."
[Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith No. 3539]
This ruling has also been affirmed by Shaykh Ibn Baz in Majmu’ al-Fatawa wa al-Maqalat (Volume 20, Page 68).