Gifts and Presents

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Gifts are of three kinds: One is a gift to compensate a favor, another is a gift for understanding (bribing) someone, and another gift is a gift from Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious.’”

“I asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of a man who possesses a great deal of goods. On the times of festivities or the day of Nawroz, they give him as gifts which they did not have to give him but they wanted to become nearer to him. He (the Imam) asked, ‘Are they not the ones who perform prayers?’ I (the narrator) replied, ‘Yes, they perform prayer.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘He must accept their gift and reciprocate. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, “Even if a foot of sheep is given to me as a gift I accept it. It is part of the discipline of religion. On the other hand, if an unbeliever or hypocrite gives me as gift, a whole load of goods, I do not accept. It is of the discipline of religion. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, disdains my accepting gifts of unbelievers and hypocrites.’””

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘Arabs during pre-Islamic age of ignorance were of two groups. One was al-Hull and the other al-Hums. Al-Hums were Quraysh and al-Hull was the rest of Arabs. Everyone of al-Hull group had to have a protector from al-Hums people; otherwise, they could not perform Tawaf except in a naked condition. The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, was the protector of ‘Iyad ibn Himar al-Mujashi‘iy. ‘Iyad was a person of great importance. He was a judge for the people in ‘Ukaz during the age of ignorance. When visiting Makkah ‘Iyad removed his dress of sins and filth. He dressed up with the dress of the Messenger of Allah for being clean. He dressed up and performed Tawaf around the house, then returned them to him after completing Tawaf. When the Messenger of Allah declared his mission, ‘Iyad brought a gift for him. The Messenger of Allah refused to accept it saying, ‘O ‘Iyad, if you accept Islam I accept your gift. Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, disdains my accepting gifts from pagans.’ ‘Iyad then afterwards accepted Islam and made it to be good. He then gave a gift to the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, and he accepted his gift.’”

"If it is for the sake of Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, and for maintaining family ties, then it is permissible, and he may accept it as long as it is given with the intention of seeking reward."

“Muhammad ibn ‘Abd Allah al-Qummiy once said to abu al-Hassan (a.s.), ‘On our land there are facilities that house firehouses of al-Majus (Zoroastrians) who offer cows and sheep and dirham. Can the owners of these villages receive such things and these facilities have keepers who maintain them?’ He (the Imam) said, ‘The owners of these villages must take it and there is no offense in it.’” (Consult Fatwa also)

“I once asked him (the Imam) about a poor man who presents to me a gift seeking nearness to me thereby and I accept it and do not give him anything as a gift. Is this lawful for me?’ He (the Imam) replied, ‘It is lawful for you, however, you must not neglect to give him something.’”

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, would use gifts for food but not charity and he would say, “You must exchange gifts, it gently removes resentment and clears grudges due to animosity and malice.’””

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Of a believer’s upholding the honor of his Muslim brother is to accept his gifts and present him a gift of whatever is possible for him without over-burdening himself.’”

“The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Even if a gift as small as the foot of a sheep is presented to me I accept it.’”

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘People in the meeting with the recipient of a gift all have a share in that gift.’”

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), has said, ‘If one receives a gift such as food or fruits and so on, during a meeting with people around him they also have a share in such gift.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), has said, ‘Presenting a gift to my Muslim brother which can benefit him is more beloved to me than giving charity.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘You should exchange gifts of berries; it revives affection and friendship.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘You should exchange gifts; you will find affection. You should exchange gifts; it removes malice.’”