Shar'i Conditions and Guidelines for Giving Gifts in Islam
✒ Fatwa by the Saudi Permanent Committee for Islamic Rulings
Fatwa No: 17627
Islam places clear legal and ethical boundaries on the practice of giving gifts (هبة). In order for a gift to be valid and acceptable in Shari'ah, the following conditions must be fulfilled:
① Offer and Acceptance (إيجاب و قبول)
The giver must explicitly state something like:
“I gift you this item.”
The recipient must respond with:
“I accept,”
or use any expression or action that clearly signifies consent. This completes the contractual nature of the gift.
② Clarity and Specificity
The item gifted must be clearly defined in its type, quantity, and description.
A gift involving unknown or vague items is not valid.
③ Deliverability and Accessibility
The gifted item must be something the giver has control over and can physically hand over.
Something outside their capacity or inaccessible cannot be gifted.
④ Not from Undelivered Purchased Goods
It is impermissible to gift an item that was purchased but not yet received or possessed (i.e., not yet in the legal possession of the giver).
⑤ Not Conditional upon a Future Event
A gift cannot be suspended upon a future condition.
Example: “I will gift you this car if I get promoted.”
Such a conditional gift is not valid.
⑥ Justice Among Children
If a gift is being given to children, then equity is mandatory.
A father cannot favor one child over others by giving him/her something and depriving the rest.
⑦ No Element of Bribery (رشوة)
The intention behind the gift must be pure and not involve manipulation or undue influence, such as:
Conclusion:
Islam encourages the giving of gifts to foster love and brotherhood, but it must be done within proper Shar'i limits, free of injustice, deception, or ulterior motives.
🖋 Reference:
Fatāwā al-Lajnah ad-Dā’imah – Fatwa No. 17627
✒ Fatwa by the Saudi Permanent Committee for Islamic Rulings
Fatwa No: 17627
❖ Shar'i Conditions for Valid Gifts
Islam places clear legal and ethical boundaries on the practice of giving gifts (هبة). In order for a gift to be valid and acceptable in Shari'ah, the following conditions must be fulfilled:
Essential Conditions for a Shar'i Gift
① Offer and Acceptance (إيجاب و قبول)
The giver must explicitly state something like:
“I gift you this item.”
The recipient must respond with:
“I accept,”
or use any expression or action that clearly signifies consent. This completes the contractual nature of the gift.
② Clarity and Specificity
The item gifted must be clearly defined in its type, quantity, and description.
A gift involving unknown or vague items is not valid.
③ Deliverability and Accessibility
The gifted item must be something the giver has control over and can physically hand over.
Something outside their capacity or inaccessible cannot be gifted.
④ Not from Undelivered Purchased Goods
It is impermissible to gift an item that was purchased but not yet received or possessed (i.e., not yet in the legal possession of the giver).
⑤ Not Conditional upon a Future Event
A gift cannot be suspended upon a future condition.
Example: “I will gift you this car if I get promoted.”
Such a conditional gift is not valid.
⑥ Justice Among Children
If a gift is being given to children, then equity is mandatory.
A father cannot favor one child over others by giving him/her something and depriving the rest.
⑦ No Element of Bribery (رشوة)
The intention behind the gift must be pure and not involve manipulation or undue influence, such as:
- Gifts to government employees for personal gain.
- Students giving gifts to teachers in a regular academic setting.
- Gifts to employees by those seeking favors or approvals.
All such gifts fall under the prohibited category of bribes and are not permissible.
Conclusion:Islam encourages the giving of gifts to foster love and brotherhood, but it must be done within proper Shar'i limits, free of injustice, deception, or ulterior motives.
🖋 Reference:
Fatāwā al-Lajnah ad-Dā’imah – Fatwa No. 17627
