The Ruling on Gifts from Non-Muslims
A Complete Explanation in the Light of the Quran and Sunnah
Preface
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
Accepting gifts from non-Muslims and giving gifts to them are both permissible in the light of Shariah, and the clear evidence for this is derived from the blessed biography of the Prophet ﷺ and the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them).
Evidence from the Hadiths
1. A Christian ruler gives a gift to the Prophet ﷺ
According to a narration in Sahih al-Bukhari:
“On the way to Egypt, Yuhanna bin Adbah, the Christian ruler of a region, sent a white mule and a cloak as a gift to the Prophet ﷺ, and he wrote back to him that he should remain as the ruler of his people, because he had agreed to pay the jizya.”
2. A gift of a silk robe from a Christian of Duma
In a narration from Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), it is stated:
“A silk robe was presented as a gift to the Prophet ﷺ by a Christian of Duma.”
3. A gift of food from a Jewish woman
Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:
“A Jewish woman brought poisoned goat meat to the Prophet ﷺ, and he ate some of it. Then, when the woman was brought before him, she confessed to having put poison in it. It was said: Should we not kill her? He ﷺ said: No. Anas said: I always felt the effect of that poison in the palate of the Prophet ﷺ.”
4. Giving a robe received from the Prophet ﷺ as a gift to a non-Muslim brother
In another narration in Sahih al-Bukhari:
“Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) gave as a gift to his non-Muslim brother the robe he had received from the Prophet ﷺ.”
Conclusion
From all the hadiths mentioned above, it is clearly established that:
- ❀ Accepting a gift from a non-Muslim or a polytheist is permissible.
- ❀ Giving a gift to a non-Muslim is permissible.
- ❀ This permissibility covers both clothing and food and drink.
وبالله التوفيق
