and donated, for such detachment is a laudable mark of dignity and inner purity.

3 – The narration further shows that a person of noble character and genuine sincerity does not await from the recipient of his gift or charity any reward or return of favor; he performs the deed solely for Allah’s sake: “We feed you only for the sake of Allah; we desire from you neither recompense nor thanks.” (Q 76:9)

4 – Taken at face value, the Prophet’s prohibition indicates that buying back something one has given in charity is unlawful, and some scholars adopted this view. The majority, however, understood it as disliked and better avoided. As for retracting a gift or charitable donation altogether, that is expressly forbidden, as made clear in the two preceding ḥadiths.

5 – With regard to hibat al-thawāb (a compensatory gift), it has already been explained that it is akin to a sale. Therefore, if the original donor is not satisfied with the counter-value offered by the recipient, he may reclaim his gift.

6 – Through its rulings and etiquettes, Islam seeks to elevate the souls and morals of its followers, raising them to the summit of virtue and enabling them to soar in lofty, honorable realms of refined conduct and praiseworthy character.