Giving Gifts or Money at a Wedding – A Complete Explanation in Light of the Shariah
Question:
At weddings, relatives and friends give gifts to the families of the groom or the bride. Is this practice permissible in the Shariah? And if someone gives money, is it Shar’i-ly correct to accept or to give it? Please clarify the complete ruling on this.
Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
The question relates to the matter of giving a gift (hadiyyah), and the Shariah has encouraged giving gifts, so there should be no disagreement whatsoever regarding its permissibility.
The Shar’i Status of Giving Gifts
✿ Giving gifts is a praiseworthy act, for which the Qur’an and Sunnah contain encouragement.
✿ The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all, used to give gifts to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and to one another.
✿ Therefore, giving gifts at a wedding is absolutely permissible in the Shariah and a praiseworthy act.
Giving a Gift at a Wedding
The question should not be, “What is the ruling on giving a gift specifically at a wedding?” because:
✿ The encouragement to give gifts has come in general terms.
✿ It includes weddings, ‘aqiqah, milad, or other occasions of joy.
✿ Giving a gift at a wedding also falls under this general ruling.
✿ Guests who give a gift or money do so of their own pleasure and consent, and no standard is set for it.
✿ If someone does not give a gift, there is no Shar’i reproach or objection against them.
The Difference Between a Gift and the Walimah
✿ Giving a gift cannot be excluded from the scope of the walimah.
✿ The definition of gift (hadiyyah) applies to this exchange.
✿ If anyone says this practice is impermissible at a wedding, then they must provide a proof that separates it from this general ruling.
Evidence from the Hadith
Imam al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) has set a chapter in the Kitab al-Nikah of his Sahih al-Bukhari:
‘‘باب الهدية العروس’’
Under this chapter, he narrated from Sayyidina Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) a hadith:
“The Prophet ﷺ married Zaynab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her), and then at the time of her walimah, Umm Sulaym (may Allah be pleased with her), the mother of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), sent a gift with Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), which contained a dish (food) prepared with cheese, ghee and dates.”
From this hadith, it is clearly established that:
✿ At the time of the wedding and walimah, giving a gift to the one who is marrying is established from the Sunnah.
✿ Whether it is money or a food item, both forms are permissible.
On this basis, Imam al-Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him), a muhaddith and researcher, has set a clear chapter and declared this practice legislated (permissible in the Shariah).
If Giving the Gift Is Done of One’s Own Accord, It Is Preferable
✿ If a person gives a gift of their own accord and with pleasure, this is even better and more virtuous.
✿ However, if help is requested on some occasion, this is also permissible.
The Example of the Walimah with the Companions’ Help
✿ When the Messenger of Allah ﷺ married Sayyidah Safiyyah (may Allah be pleased with her), then:
➤ For the walimah, the Prophet ﷺ said to the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them):
“Bring whatever you have.”
➤ So one brought dates, another brought cheese, and so on.
➤ Then these items were mixed together to prepare hays, and the walimah was held.
From this it is established that:
✿ If friends help of their own accord or upon request, this practice is permissible.
✿ There is no harm or prohibition in this.
Conclusion
✿ The gifts or money that friends and relatives give at a wedding are permissible, lawful, and indeed a recommended practice in accordance with the Sunnah.
✿ This practice is established from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all).
✿ Those who forbid this practice do not have any sound evidence for it.
ھذا ما عندی واللہ اعلم بالصواب
