Authored by: Saudi Fatwa Committee
However, if the gift is not for personal use but rather for the benefit of the workplace, and the giver is informed that it is being accepted solely for the interest of the work, then there is no harm. But the preferred course of action is to reject such gifts entirely, neither accepting them for personal use nor for work. This is because accepting them may tempt the recipient to keep them personally and can also lead to suspicion and distrust. Additionally, the giver might develop boldness in seeking undue favors and preferential treatment.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) strongly condemned such practices. When he appointed a man to collect Zakat, and the man later claimed:
"This is for you, and this has been given to me as a gift."
The Prophet (ﷺ) disapproved of this and addressed the people, saying:
"What is wrong with some people? We appoint them to carry out a duty for the sake of Allah, and they say: ‘This is for you, and this was given to me as a gift.’ Why doesn’t he sit in his father's or mother's house and see if he receives any gifts?"
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 2597]
This Hadith clearly indicates that any government employee or official must fulfill their duty without accepting gifts related to their work. If they do accept them, they should deposit them in the public treasury (Bait-ul-Mal). Based on this Hadith, it is impermissible for them to keep such gifts personally, as it leads to corruption and is a breach of trust.
[Shaykh Ibn Baz: Majmu’ al-Fatawa wa al-Maqalat, Volume 20, Page 65]
Ruling on Giving Expensive Gifts to a Workplace Supervisor
This practice is incorrect and can lead to significant harm. A supervisor should not accept such gifts, as they can become a means of betrayal, injustice, and bribery. Accepting these gifts may lead to favoritism and unfair decision-making.However, if the gift is not for personal use but rather for the benefit of the workplace, and the giver is informed that it is being accepted solely for the interest of the work, then there is no harm. But the preferred course of action is to reject such gifts entirely, neither accepting them for personal use nor for work. This is because accepting them may tempt the recipient to keep them personally and can also lead to suspicion and distrust. Additionally, the giver might develop boldness in seeking undue favors and preferential treatment.
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) strongly condemned such practices. When he appointed a man to collect Zakat, and the man later claimed:
"This is for you, and this has been given to me as a gift."
The Prophet (ﷺ) disapproved of this and addressed the people, saying:
"What is wrong with some people? We appoint them to carry out a duty for the sake of Allah, and they say: ‘This is for you, and this was given to me as a gift.’ Why doesn’t he sit in his father's or mother's house and see if he receives any gifts?"
[Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 2597]
This Hadith clearly indicates that any government employee or official must fulfill their duty without accepting gifts related to their work. If they do accept them, they should deposit them in the public treasury (Bait-ul-Mal). Based on this Hadith, it is impermissible for them to keep such gifts personally, as it leads to corruption and is a breach of trust.
[Shaykh Ibn Baz: Majmu’ al-Fatawa wa al-Maqalat, Volume 20, Page 65]