Is returning a gift considered a form of harm to a Muslim?

The questioner : He says:The questioner : Is returning a gift a form of harm to a Muslim?

The Shaykh : Are

The questioner : Returning a gift

The Shaykh : What do you mean?

The questioner : If someone gives you a gift and you return it to him, have you thereby harmed him?

The Shaykh : Returning a gift is contrary to the Sunnah, unless you know that he gave it to you out of shyness and modesty, in which case you should return it. However, if you know that he gave it to you out of affection and desire for closeness, it is not in accordance with the Sunnah to return it, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to accept gifts and give thanks for them, saying: (peace and blessings be upon him). This is unless you know that he gave it to you out of shyness and modesty. For example, if he has a pen in his pocket and you say, "What Allah willed, by Allah, this is a nice pen, I wish I could get one like it," and he says, "Take it as a gift," you should not accept it. Why? Yes, because he is shy of you, so do not accept it. Similarly, if you pass by a person at his house and he says, "Please come in," and you know that he said "please come in" out of shyness and modesty, you should not enter, even though it is an invitation, and it is recommended to accept an invitation. But if you know that he is shy, do not accept. Yes, there is a distinction: if you know that he is sincere in the invitation, accept it; if you know that he is shy, do not accept it. Yes.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good