Shaykh Saalih Al-Fawzaan (may Allah preserve him) was asked:

Question:

Many people use the phrase “Ukashah preceded you in it”, for example if a person requests something from two people or more [and one person precedes the others in fulfilling it]. So what is the ruling on this?

Answer:

“Yes this has become widespread upon the tongues of people. There is no harm in that, except if it is in an affair that is prohibited, such as saying “so and so preceded you” in an impermissible or disliked affair. The Prophet (ﷺ) said this phrase and it is said by way of following his example. If it is said in an affair which does not have anything prohibited in it, then there is no harm in that. Yes” [Sharh Kitab at-Tawheed tape no .08]

Note: Shaikh Ibn ul-Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy upon him) said regarding the statement of the Prophet (ﷺ):

‎سبقك بها عكاشة

Ukaasha has preceded you in it [Bukhari and Muslim]

“He (ﷺ) then said this statement which has become a proverb” [Qawl ul-Mufeed as found in Majmoo’ Fatawaa wa Raasil (9/95)]

And he also said:

“Subhanallah, it (the phrase) became a proverb until this time of ours. Every time a person seeks something in which someone else preceded him in it, it is said: “Ukashah has preceded you in it”. [Sharh Riyaad as-Saliheen (1/552)]

Translated by

Faisal bin Abdul Qaadir bin Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan