I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) say: The similitude of one who gives a charity and then gets it back is like that of a dog which vomits and then eats its vomit.
Hadith Text
"I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) say: The similitude of one who gives a charity and then gets it back is like that of a dog which vomits and then eats its vomit."
Reference: Sahih Muslim 1622 d
Commentary on the Prohibition
This profound hadith from The Book of Gifts in Sahih Muslim establishes a severe prohibition against reclaiming charity once given. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) employs a powerful analogy that resonates with human nature - comparing one who takes back their charity to a dog consuming its own vomit.
The wisdom behind this prohibition lies in preserving the sanctity of charitable acts. When a Muslim gives charity, it becomes the rightful property of the recipient and a means of purifying one's wealth and soul. To reclaim it nullifies this spiritual purification and demonstrates greed and lack of sincerity in the original giving.
Legal Ruling (Hukm)
The consensus of scholars holds that taking back a gift or charity is strictly forbidden (haram) after it has been lawfully accepted by the recipient. This ruling applies regardless of the value of the gift or the relationship between giver and receiver.
The only exception recognized by classical scholars is when a parent takes back a gift from their child, based on other authentic narrations that provide specific dispensations for parental rights.
Spiritual Implications
The vivid imagery in this hadith serves to create a strong spiritual aversion to this practice. Just as the physical act described is repulsive to human sensibilities, so too should the spiritual act of reclaiming charity be repulsive to the believer's conscience.
This teaching emphasizes that charity should be given purely for Allah's pleasure, without expectation of return or worldly benefit. The believer must train their soul to detach from worldly possessions once they have been given as charity.