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The Law of Receiving Gifts in Islam

Review by : Yuli SE., MM

Gift is a present. It can be a thing or others. Islam defines gifts as rizq that we have to accept as the law of rejecting gifts in Islam.

But, in the other sense, if the goal of gift is a bribe, it is forbidden and the law of receiving it is haram. In th Al-Qur’an, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala said :

“And do not consume one another’s wealth unjustly or send it [in bribery] to the rulers in order that [they might aid] you [to] consume a portion of the wealth of the people in sin, while you know [it is inlawful].” (Q.S. Al-Baqarah : 188)

Because of that, the meaning of gifts here is a halal present and there is no element of crime or iniquity in it. In the view of Islam, giving and receiving gifts is one way to show our love as the word of Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa sallam below :

“You should give gifts each other, then you will love each other.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari in Adabul Mufrad, see Shahihul Jami’ [3004] and Al Irwa’ [1601])

See also : Giving gifts in Islam

The Law of Receiving Gifts in Islam

Receiving gifts is very recommended in Islam. But we are not bound with it, we may refuse it as the law of rejecting propose in Islam and the law of hurting others in Islam. Because of that, this article will explain about ten laws of receiving gifts in Islam. Check them out.

You should accept the gift

It is mentioned in the hadith of Abu Hurairah Radhiyallahu anhu. The Prophet Muhammad Shallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa sallam said :

“O Moslem women, Do not you underestimate the gift of a neighbor to others, despite the tiptoe of goat.” (Narrated of Bukhari, number 2566. See Fathul Bari, 5/198)

In this hadith, receiving gifts is very encouraged and it is as a form of our gratitude in Islam. Although the type, amount or size of the gifts are not exactly as our hoped.

But, we are encouraged to accept all of gifts without see its amount, size or how many gifts are given to us.

Receiving gifts but do not accept shadaqah

Rasulullah taught us to accept presents such as gifts, but we have not to accept present such as shadaqah. As in the Ash Shahihain (Shahih AL Bukhari and Shahih Muslim)from the hadith of Abu Hurairah radhiyallahu ‘anhu, he said that

“Is this a gift or shadaqah?”

If it is said,

“Shadaqah”

then he said to his companion,

“Eat it!”.

While he did not eat it.

And If it said “A gift”, he gestured with his hand (The sign of his receiving). Then he ate with them. (Narrated by Al Bukhari [2756] and Muslim [1071]). [AdSense-B]

We should accept that gift and do not refuse it

The suggestion of receiving gifts is told clearly by Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa sallam. Receiving gifts is a good deed, rather, rejecting gifts can hurt and abuse the giver. As he said :

“Come to the invitation, do not reject gifts, and do not abuse Moslems.” (Narrated by Ahmad, Ibn Abi Syaibah, Al Bukhari in the Adabul Mufrad and Shahihul Jami’ Ash Shaghir [158])

Receive gifts that are not offered

Inspite of those gifts are offered or not. We are encoured to accept it. As in the Ash Shahihain (Al Bukhari and Muslim) of Umar radhiyallahu ‘anhu, he said,

“Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam gave me a package, then I said, ‘Give it to the people who more fakir from me’, then he answered, ‘Take it, If there is coming to you from this treasure, while you are not greedy and you are not asked it, then take it and save it for you, if you want it, then eat it. And if you do not want it, give shadaqah with it.”

Receive gifts although they are not much as receiving a gift that the amount is so many

[AdSense-A]Sometimes, the amount of gifts are very little, so it causes the disappointment of the receiver. But, this matter is not a reason to reject it, we should receive the gift.

Do not show your distaste because the amount of that gift is a little. Conversely, receive that gift happily as you receive a gift that the amount is so many. Salim bin Abdillah said,

“Because of that, Abdullah (bin Umar) never asked to others for a little, and he also rejected a package that was given to him for a little.” (Shahih At Targhib number 835)

And in a narration, Umar radhiyallahu ‘anhu said,

“Know upon the Essence of my soul in His hand! I never ask to others for a little, and I am not given a gift that I ask except I take it…. “ (Shahih At Targhib [836])

Receive a gift same as receive rizq

He said that Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘Alaihi Wa sallam said,

“Whoever Allah gives something to him from this treasure, without he asks it, then he should receive it, because indeed it is a rizq from Allah to him.” (Shahih At Targhib [839])

And in another narration from Khalid Al Jahnany radhiyallahu ‘anhu, he said, “I have heard Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam said,

“Whoever come to him a goodness from his brother without asking and greedy, he should accept it and he does not reject it, because indeed it is a rizq from Allah Azza wa Jalla to him.” (Narrated by Ahmad, Ath Thabrani, Ibn Hibban, Al Hakim, Shahih At Targhib wa Tarhib [838]).

You may receive a gift from the opposite sex as long as it does not cause a temptation

Islam views that receiving gifts from the opposite sex is allowed as long as it does not cause a temptation. As a story of Ibn ‘Abbas ra., he said,

“My aunt Ummu Hufaid has given a gift to the Prophet shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam as butter, cheese and the meat of dhabb (a kind of lizard). He ate cheese and butter, and he left lizard meat because he felt dirty, then the food that was served for Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam was eat (by his companions). If (that dhabb) is haram, we will not eat the food of Rasulullah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam.” (Narrated by Bukhari, number 2575 and Muslim number 1544)

Receive a gift from your husband or your wife

In the home life, giving each other both husband or wife is a good habit. Besides that, that thing will strengthen their relationship. The lesson of giving marriage gifts is also decanted clearly in the word of Allah SWT below :

“And give the women [upon marriage] their [bridal] gifts graciously. But if they give up willingly to you anything of it, then take it in satisfaction and ease.” (Q.S. An-Nisa : 4)

Receive a gift from Non-Moslem

In the view of Islam, receiving a gift from non-Moslem is also allowed. As long as it is not a haram thing or something that is forbidden in Islam. Even Allah SWT said,

“Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel yo from your homes – from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly. Allah only forbids you from those who fight you because of religion and expel from your homes and aid in your expulsion – [forbids] that you make allies of them. And whoever makes allies of them, then it is those who are the wrongdoers.” (Q.S. Al-Mumtahanah : 8 -9)

The obligation of receiving these three gifts

From Ibn ‘Umar ra., he said, “Rasulullah saw said to accepted these three types of gifts. Because they are light and not heavy. As the hadith below :

“Three things that must not rejected; (1) pillow, (2) hair oil and (3) milk.” Narrated by Tirmidzi number 2790. Al-Hafizh Abu Thahir said that this hadith is hasan).

Thus the article about the law of receiving gifts in Islam. Hopefully, it will add your knowledge and your understanding about Shari’a Islam. Thank you.