❖ Ruling on Accepting Gifts from Non-Muslims
A Detailed Explanation in Light of the Qur'an and Sunnah
Source: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
◈ Introductory Note
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd!
Accepting or giving gifts to non-Muslims is permissible in Islamic Sharīʿah, as clearly evidenced by the life and actions of the Prophet ﷺ and his noble Companions رضي الله عنهم.
◈ Evidences from Authentic Ahadith
① A Christian Governor’s Gift to the Prophet ﷺ
According to a narration in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī:
“A Christian governor named Yuhannā ibn Udhbah from a region on the route to Egypt sent a white mule and a cloak as gifts to the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ wrote to him allowing him to remain as a ruler of his people because he accepted the jizyah.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1481)
This shows that the Prophet ﷺ accepted a gift from a non-Muslim ruler.② Gift of a Silk Garment from a Christian of Dumah
Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه:
“A Christian from Dumah gifted the Prophet ﷺ a silk garment.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2615)
This is another clear instance where a non-Muslim gifted the Prophet ﷺ a valuable item and it was accepted.③ A Jewish Woman’s Gift of Poisoned Meat
Narrated by Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه:
“A Jewish woman brought poisoned meat (of a goat) to the Prophet ﷺ. He ate from it. When the woman was brought forward, she confessed to poisoning it. People asked, ‘Shall we not kill her?’ The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘No.’ Anas said: I continued to recognize the effect of that poison on the palate of the Prophet ﷺ.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2617)
Despite the malicious intent, this narration demonstrates the act of receiving food from a non-Muslim.④ ʿUmar رضي الله عنه Gifting a Garment to His Non-Muslim Brother
Another narration from Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī states:
“ʿUmar رضي الله عنه gave the garment that he had received from the Prophet ﷺ as a gift to his non-Muslim brother.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 2619)
This indicates that giving gifts to non-Muslims was also practiced by the Companions, following the Prophet ﷺ's example.✔ Conclusion
From the above authentic narrations, it is clearly established that:
❀ Accepting gifts from non-Muslims is permissible.
❀ Giving gifts to non-Muslims is also allowed.
❀ This permissibility applies to both clothing and food items.
وَبِاللّٰهِ التَّوْفِيق
