What is the ruling on accepting a gift?
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The questioner : Regarding a gift, what is the ruling on accepting it?
The Shaykh : Accepting a gift is a recommended practice (sunnah), because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to accept gifts. However, one who is given a gift should reciprocate with the giver, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sunan Abi Dawud 1672Sahih (Al-Albani).
If the reciprocation is not appropriate, he should pray for him, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sunan Abi Dawud 1672Sahih (Al-Albani). And this, meaning accepting the gift, is permissible as long as a person does not fear that the giver will use it as a favor against him in the future, such that he cuts his throat every time an occasion arises, saying: "I did this for you and that for you, and I gave you a gift and did you a kindness," and the like of this. In such a case, it is not recommended to accept the gift, because of the humiliation of oneself or exposure to such treatment.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Accepting a gift is a recommended practice (sunnah), because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to accept gifts. However, one who is given a gift should reciprocate with the giver, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
if anyone does you a kindness, recompense him
من صنع إليكم معروفاً فكافئوهIf the reciprocation is not appropriate, he should pray for him, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
but if you have not the means to do so, pray for him until you feel that you have compensated him.
فإن لم تجدوا ما تكافئونه فادعوا له حتى تروا أنكم قد كافأتموهThe questioner : May Allah bless you.