24/1. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1621a — Do Not Take Back Charity
It Is Disliked For A Man To Buy What He Gave In Charity From The One To Whom He Gave It
Hadith About Taking Back Charity: Let Your Sadaqah Go
Sahih Muslim : 1621a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1621a
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، أَنَّ عُمَرَ، بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ حَمَلَ عَلَى فَرَسٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَوَجَدَهُ يُبَاعُ فَأَرَادَ أَنْ يَبْتَاعَهُ فَسَأَلَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ " لاَ تَبْتَعْهُ وَلاَ تَعُدْ فِي صَدَقَتِكَ " .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
'Umar b. al-Khattib (Allah be pleased with him) donated a horse in the path of Allah and (later on) he found it being sold, and he decided to buy that. He asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) about it. whereupon he (the Holy prophet) said: Don't buy that and do not get back what you gave in charity.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1621aIn-book reference : Book 24, Hadith 5USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 12, Hadith 3952
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1621a
This hadith about taking back charity gives a clear and direct message. Umar donated a horse in the path of Allah, then later saw it being sold and wanted to buy it. He did not act on his own; he asked the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم. The answer was simple: do not buy it, and do not return to what you gave in charity. That makes this a strong hadith about charity, sadaqah, and leaving a gift after it has been given. The point is not just about a horse. The text teaches that a person should not keep looking back at a charitable gift as if it still belongs to him. Once charity is given, the heart should let it go.
What we learn from this hadith
- A person should ask for guidance before acting in doubtful matters.
- Charity should be given with a heart ready to let it go.
- Buying back what one gave in charity is discouraged in this text.
- The Prophet’s answer was short, clear, and practical.
