Hazrat Amr bin Aas would order something to be given to a poor person, and if that was not available, he would leave it and grant something else in its place.

Hazrat Ikrimah would instruct to give some food item to a needy person, and if that item could not be found, he himself would not consume it either, but would give it in charity.

Hazrat Amr bin Saeed narrates that a man asked Hazrat Humaid bin Abdur Rahman for something. Hazrat Humaid said to him, "You seem misguided and I find you to be a Christian." (In Arabia, a tribe that goes astray and adopts Christianity is called 'Abadi.') Then he ordered something to be given to him, but the man considered it too little and refused to take it. Hazrat Humaid said, "If you want, accept it; otherwise, we will give it to someone else." Then he said, "Give to the beggar (give him), even if it is only the small head of a bird (partridge)."

A person asked Hazrat Taawoos that if someone takes something out to give to a beggar, but the beggar disappears and he cannot find him later, then what should he do? He replied: He should give it to someone else.

Ibrahim was asked: If a person goes out to give charity to a poor person, but that poor person passes away before receiving it, what should he do? He replied: He should give it to another poor person, and that will suffice. And he should not take back what Allah the Exalted has destined (decreed) for him.

Hazrat Ibn Sirin says that when you go out carrying something (a piece) for a beggar and do not find him, then keep that thing with you until someone else comes.

It is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Sirin that Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said: When you go out to give something (a piece) to a beggar and do not find him, then keep that thing with you until someone else comes in his place.

It is narrated from Ibn Sirin that Amr bin Al-As said: "Keep it with you until another petitioner comes besides him."

Hazrat Humaid and Hazrat Bakr say that he should keep it with himself until he gives it to someone else.

10577 - From Humaid, from Bakr (they both said): He detains her until someone else gives her [in marriage] .