Question
What is the Sharʿī ruling on presenting and accepting gifts in light of Qur’an and Hadith?
Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ʿammā baʿd!
✿ Presenting and accepting gifts (hadiyyah) is permissible and praiseworthy in Islam. It is a means of spreading love and strengthening brotherhood.
✿ Condition: The gift must not take the form of bribery (rishwah), nor should it involve anything that harms one’s dīn and īmān.
✿ If a scholar, teacher, or elder out of humility and caution does not accept a gift, this is not against the Sunnah — for acceptance is allowed, but refusal out of fear of suspicion or misinterpretation is also permissible.
Conclusion:Offering and accepting gifts is from the Sunnah, provided it is not linked to bribery or harm to faith. Acceptance is good, but refusal for Sharʿī reasons is also valid.
