What is the ruling on accepting a gift, and did the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) accept gifts?
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The questioner : What is the ruling on accepting a gift? And did the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) accept gifts?
The Shaykh : Yes, accepting a gift is part of the guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). In fact, some scholars said that it is obligatory to accept a gift if the conditions are met. The conditions are that the giver not be known for boasting, meaning that he not be one of those who boast, because accepting a gift from a boaster leads to harm. This person who gave the gift might speak among people saying, "I gave so-and-so such and such, and I gave him such and such," and the like. In this case, a person has the option of not accepting the gift so as not to be harmed by that person's boasting. Another condition is that the giver's wealth be lawful. If his wealth is unlawful, there is no blame on a person for returning the gift to avoid the forbidden. If his wealth contains both unlawful and lawful, he should accept the gift, and there is no blame on him, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted gifts from the Jews, who are known for taking usury and consuming illicit earnings. Then, it is recommended for one who accepts a gift to reciprocate to the giver. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to accept gifts and reward them in kind. He said:Sunan Abi Dawud 1672Sahih (Al-Albani).
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : Yes, accepting a gift is part of the guidance of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family). In fact, some scholars said that it is obligatory to accept a gift if the conditions are met. The conditions are that the giver not be known for boasting, meaning that he not be one of those who boast, because accepting a gift from a boaster leads to harm. This person who gave the gift might speak among people saying, "I gave so-and-so such and such, and I gave him such and such," and the like. In this case, a person has the option of not accepting the gift so as not to be harmed by that person's boasting. Another condition is that the giver's wealth be lawful. If his wealth is unlawful, there is no blame on a person for returning the gift to avoid the forbidden. If his wealth contains both unlawful and lawful, he should accept the gift, and there is no blame on him, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) accepted gifts from the Jews, who are known for taking usury and consuming illicit earnings. Then, it is recommended for one who accepts a gift to reciprocate to the giver. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to accept gifts and reward them in kind. He said:
and if anyone does you a kindness, recompense him; but if you have not the means to do so, pray for him until you feel that you have compensated him.
من صنع إليكم معروفا فكافئوه، فإن لم تجدوا ما تكافئونه، فادعوا له حتى تروا أنكم قد كافأتموهThe questioner : May Allah reward you with good.