Do You Give Gifts?

Sameer Munderi

12 September 2026, 01 Rabi'ul Akhir 1448

A five-year-old girl, glowing with joy after returning home from class. As she shows her parents the gifts she received, her face radiates an unmistakable happiness that’s truly heartwarming. The physical value of the gifts in her small hands might be insignificant, but they hold immense worth in her young mind, especially because they were presented to her in front of her classmates. It’s a beautiful reminder that the happiness of receiving a gift, whether big or small, knows no age barrier. The memory of my dear elder brother fondly recalling how he’d admire even the smallest gift well into the night comes alive in this moment. The pure, unadulterated joy that a gift brings is a universal language, connecting us in moments of shared happiness.

Islam and Gift-Giving

Islam is Allah’s gift to all of humanity. Islam encourages the giving of gifts to others. Religious sources teach that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would not eat anything received as charity (sadaqah), but would accept that which was received as a gift.

In a Hadith narrated by Aisha رضي الله عنها, it states: “The Prophet ﷺ used to accept gifts and used to give something in return.” (Bukhari)

Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrates: “If food was brought to the assembly of the Prophet ﷺ, he would ask, ‘Is this a gift or charity (sadaqah)?’ If it was said that it is charity, the Prophet ﷺ would tell his companions to eat it. If it was said that it is a gift, the Prophet ﷺ would also eat it with them.” (Bukhari)

Anas رضي الله عنه narrates: “The Prophet ﷺ never used to refuse perfume when it was offered to him as a gift.” (Bukhari)

The Hadith mentioned above teaches us that the Prophet ﷺ, who set an example in all areas of life, also set an example for us in the matter of giving and receiving gifts.

When the Quran tells the story of Prophet Sulaiman عليه السلام and Queen Bilqis, it can be seen referring to gifts: “I am going to send them a gift, then wait and see with what response the messengers return.” (Surah An-Naml: 35)

According to the view of Islamic scholars, giving gifts is a commendable act (Sunnah). However, a gift is not something to be asked for; it should be received willingly from others. No matter how small or modest what you receive is, it should not be rejected.

Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated: The Prophet ﷺ said: “O Muslim women! A female neighbor should not look down upon a gift given by another female neighbor, even if the gift is merely a sheep’s trotter (hoof).”

Do Not Take Back a Gift Given

Islam teaches that taking back something once given is a despicable act. In a Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه, it states: “The likeness of one who takes back what he has given is as the likeness of a dog that eats until its belly is full, then vomits, and then goes back to eating its vomit. (Similar is the case of those who take back a gift given).”

We have seen expatriates visiting their families without informing them under the guise of giving a “surprise gift,” filming it, and circulating it on social media. Such acts go against the Sunnah of the Prophet. Numerous accounts demonstrate that whenever the Prophet ﷺ visited his home, he would inform them beforehand.

If anyone offers us gifts that go against our faith, it is our duty to politely explain this to them and refrain from accepting them. Believers are not permitted to consume meat that has been slaughtered in the name of anyone other than Allah. If we receive such meat as a gift, we must be able to respectfully explain the reason to them. We should adopt this same principle regarding everything forbidden in Islam.

Among clothing items, silk is prohibited for men in Islam; it must not be worn.

Narrated by Abu Musa رضي الله عنه:

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Wearing silk and gold has been forbidden for the men of my Ummah (community) and made lawful for its women.” (Tirmidhi)

In our region, there is a practice on the wedding day where the bride’s mother places a gold ring on the groom’s finger. Even though it is taught that gold is forbidden for men, there are many brothers who still wear it simply because it was received as a gift.

Islam teaches that giving gifts is a means to increase mutual love. In a Hadith recorded by Imam Bukhari in Al-Adab al-Mufrad, it can be seen that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Give gifts to one another, and you will love each other.”

Dear parents, your children should not receive gifts only from Madrasas and schools; home should also be a place where they feel they receive gifts. When children receive gifts from their father, mother, and siblings, it becomes a great source of inspiration for them.