whereas the donor seeks no compensation, and no compensation has been taken from the recipient. Thus, a gift cannot validly be analogized to a sale. Once possession is taken, it becomes binding, even if this occurs during the contractual session; and it is not permissible to take back a binding gift.

If, however, he takes back a non-binding gift—for example, if he gives someone a book but has not yet delivered it to him—then he may take it back. Yet this is contrary to honorable conduct, and it also constitutes breaking a promise. We therefore say: once you have given it to him, you have made him a promise. If something arises that warrants taking back the gift, then he should say something to the recipient that will satisfy him, or something similar, so that his heart will be at ease.

If someone asks: Is it permissible for him to buy back his gift from the recipient?

The answer is: No, it is not permissible. This is because, in most cases, if you buy back the gift, he will lower the price for you and will feel too embarrassed to bargain with you. For instance, if you gave him something worth one hundred and then wished to buy it from him, if you offered him eighty, he would say, “Take it,” and would be too embarrassed to say, “No—not for less than one hundred.” In that case, you would have taken back part of the gift, but indirectly. This is why, when the Commander of the Believers, Umar—may Allah be pleased with him—gave a horse for Allah’s cause to a man to ride, and the man neglected it, Umar thought that he would sell it cheaply. So he asked the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, for permission to buy it, and he said: “Do not buy it, even if he sells it to you for a dirham. The one who takes back his gift is like a dog that vomits and then returns to its vomit.” (1)

But if he buys back his charity, it is even more reprehensible, because it involves two things: