In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

‘Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.s), his blessed descendents and noble companions.’

                                                                      Aameen.

SUNNATS OF GIFTS ♥

S.1. Both to give and receive gifts is Sunnah.

{Bukhari - S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 104-105)

Note: The primary purpose of giving gifts is to make the recipient happy and to obtain his love and thereby be honoured with the du‘a and supplications of the recipient. The obtaining of reward is secondary.

Contrary to this is ‘Sadaqah’ where the primary objective is reward.

Gifts, therefore, may be given to the rich and wealthy also whereas ‘Sadaqah’(charity) may not. (S.K.-Vol.2:Pg. 104-105)

S.2. Nabi SAW has said that the giving and taking of gifts increases mutual love and removes malice. (S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 107)

S.3. Our Prophet SAW has said that gifts received without asking or having any secret desire for it (Ishraaf) should be accepted and not returned. (Ibn Hibban-S.K.-Vol.2 :Pg. 116)

Note: Care should be taken that presents and gifts are not given on such occasions as wedding anniversaries and birthdays as this is tantamount to emulation of the non-muslims which Nabi SAW has prohibited.

S.4. Gifts should be given in secrecy. However, it is preferable for the recipient to mention the gift to others. (S.K. - Vol. 2 : Pg. 127)

Note: It is clear from the above that it is not permissible for either the bride or the bridegroom’s party to display the gifts that they intend giving to the other party during wedding’s.

S.5. If the gift is not cash (money), then one should give such a present as will be most useful and beneficial for the recipient. (S.K.-Vol. 2: Pg. 108)

S.6. One should not mention any of one’s personal needs before or even after giving a gift. (S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 129)

S.7. One should not give so much as will become difficult for the recipient to accept. (S.K.-Vol. 2: Pg. 129)

S.8. One should not talk or boast of one’s gesture after giving a present.

S.9. When giving gifts to one’s children it is preferable (mustahab) to give all the children equally. (Bukhari - S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 82)

Note: However, due to any virtue or other reason it is permissible to give one child more than another as Hadrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) gave more to Hadrat Aa’isha (R.A.) than his other children. (Tahaawe - S.K. - Vol. 2 : Pg. 82)

S.10. Nabi SAW has said that to take back a gift is like a dog licking its vomit. (Bukhari - S.K. - Vol. 2 : Pg. 83-84)

S.11. To enquire from the one bringing (anything) whether it is a gift or sadaqah. (Bukhari-S.K.-Vol.2:Pg. 105)

S.12. Nabi SAW used to give the sadaqah away to the deserving Sahabah. However, He SAW also ate from the gifts. (S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 106)

S.13. Nabi SAW said that the exchanging of ‘food’gifts is a source of increase in one’s sustenance. (S.K. -Vol. 2: Pg. 106)

S.14. Nabi SAW has advised that one should add water to the gravy as this will enable one to help one’s poor neighbours. (S.K.-Vol. 2 :Pg. 106-107)

S.15. Our Prophet SAW has said that a gift is sustenance from Allah. Whoever is given a gift should accept it and endeavour to reciprocate with that which is better. (Ibn Abi Aldunya - S.K. - Vol. 2 : Pg. 107)

S.16. The Sahabah (R.A) used to be watchful of the needs of beloved Rasool SAW and upon learning of any need, presented that as a gift. (S.K.-Vol. 2 :Pg. 108)

Note: Nowadays one should give such presents to the pious and the scholars who are engaged in the propagation of Deen that will fulfill some need of theirs.

S.17. It is allowed to give as a gift that which one has received as a present. (S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 112)

S.18. To give cash as a present is also allowed. (Tirmidhi - S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 113)

S.19. It is permissible to use minors to transport the gifts. (S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 115)

S.20. Nabi SAW even accepted the gifts of women. (S.K.-Vol. 2: Pg. 119)

S.21. Our Nabi SAW encouraged the ladies to exchange gifts. (S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 121)

S.22. The Prophet SAW advised the women not to regard the gift from their neighbour as lowly even if it is goat trotters. (Bukhari - S.K. - Vol. 2 : Pg. 121)

S.23. Not to accept any gift due to a valid Shariah reason is allowed (e.g. refusing food as one is fasting) (Bukhari - S.K. - Vol. 2 : Pg. 122)

S.24. The co-wives of Nabi SAW used to send gifts to one another. (Ibn Majah-S.K.-Vol.2: Pg. 123)

S.25. It was the practice of our Nabi SAW to reciprocate and give a gift to the one who gave him a gift. (Bukhari-SK. -Vol. 2: Pg. 123)

Note: This reciprocating is not obligatory but rather good ethics. (‘Umdatoel Qaari - S.K. - Vol. 2 : Pg. 124)

S. 26. By means of gifts, enmity converts to love. (S.K.-Vol. 2: Pg. 124)

S.27. Nabi SAW has encouraged the accepting of gifts from even the poor and in return to give them something better. (Sharhoes Sunnah - S.K. - Vol. 2 : Pg. 124)

S. 28. To give the bride and bridegroom gifts. (Bukhari - S.K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 124-125)

S.29. To give one’s non-Muslim relatives gifts. (Bukhari - S.K. - Vol. 2 : Pg. 126)

S.30. The neighbour that lives closer to one should be preferred when giving gifts. (Bukhari-S.K.-Vol. 2 :Pg. 126)

S.31. Nabi SAW has encouraged the accepting of even cheap and little gifts (gifts that are not expensive). (Tirmidhi - S.K. - Vol. 2 : Pg. 127)

S.32. Imam Ghazzali (R.A.) has written the following important advice concerning gifts.

1. Is the item that is being presented as a gift halal (permissible) or not? If it is haram or even doubtful then it should not be accepted.

2. The intention of the giver i.e. it is being given with the intention of gift so that the recipient can become happy and mutual love can increase and not for an ulterior motive.

3. The recipient should not feel or experience difficulty in accepting the gift because of its being too large or even if one feels that, the one giving the gift will brag of it. In such instances, it must not be accepted.

4. The recipient should ponder upon his own condition. Is he being given that gift because of his own piety or because he is being assumed to be an Aalim when in fact he is not, or upon pondering on his own disposition he realizes that he is guilty of such sin/s which could have prevented the giver to present that gift if he (the giver) had known about the sin. (S.K. -Vol. 2 : Pg. 129-130)

S.33. Not to accept gifts from the proud i.e. those whose intentions for giving the gift is to show off.

(Abu Dawud - S.K. - Vol. 2 : Pg. 130)

S.34. Nabi SAW advised not to accept the gift of the one to whom one had given a loan. (Bukhari- S.K. - Vol. 2 : Pg. 132)

Note: To derive benefit after giving a loan is tantamount to Riba (interest) and is, therefore, prohibited. However, the scholars say that if the giving and receiving of gifts had been the normal practice between them (prior to the loan) then it would not be prohibited.

S.35. The following gifts should not be refused: -

1. Milk;

2. Pillow;

3. Oil.; (Tirmidhi)

4. Sweets; (Seerat)

5. ‘Itr (perfume); (Bukhari)

6. Meat; (Ibn Majah)

7. Sweet smelling flower. (Mishkat)

(S.K.-Vol. 2 : Pg. 133)

S.36. Our Nabi SAW has said that whosoever does good to you then reciprocate and if this is not possible then make du‘a for such a person. (Tabraani-S.K.-VoI.2:Pg. 134)

S.37. Our Nabi SAW has said that the one who makes the following du‘a for him who gives one a gift has fully praised him. (At-Targhib - S.K. - Vol. 2 : Pg. 134)

 Jazak Allahu Khair.

“May Allah grant you the best reward.”

S.38. Nabi SAW has said that the person who accepts a gift from the one for whom he interceded then he has entered the doors of ‘Riba’ interest. (AbuDawud-S.K.-Vol.2:Pg. 140)

S.39. It is preferable to distribute the gift given in a gathering amongst those present. (Ibn Majah - S.K. - Vol. 1: Pg. 134)

Note: This refers to gifts of edibles.

S.40. Our Nabi SAW prohibited those in positions of authority from accepting gifts. (As such persons are given gifts only due to their positions.) (Mishkat - S .K. - Vol. 2: Pg. 138)

A/N ;)

 So what gift do you have for me? ;) I, of course gift you all my Duas…

 Wassalam,

 abdurRahman (Gudi :))