Promising to give land to another and then refusing

Question

Two men lived in huts on government land. The government took this place and gave another place, for which it also took money. One of the two refused to take it, saying that he would not be able to pay. Then the other said: “I will take it if you have no objection, and I myself will pay the money.” He said: “I have no objection, take it.” At that the second man said again: “Since the land will be yours as well, let it not happen that later you go back on your word.

Answer

Since he had earlier acknowledged, “This is a matter of honesty, I will not take it,” and, having also refused to be responsible for the money, had told the other man, “You buy it,” and after this matter was settled the plot was bought in his name, it certainly belongs to the man who took on responsibility for the price.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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