The Art of Gifting in Islam

Islam is a universal religion that is acknowledged for its focus on promoting love amongst its brotherhood which ultimately leads to a harmonious Muslim community. The Art of Gifting carries immense significance in Islam because it was a common practice of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and one that he encouraged as well. Any action that was openly done by the Prophet ﷺ or encouraged in speech is counted as being a Sunnah, part of the tradition of the Holy Prophet ﷺ. According to a Hadith:

The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Exchange gifts so you will love one another.’ (Bukhari)

Generally speaking, the purpose of a gift is to honour a specific person because of some relationship with him or simply because of love, friendship or even respect for him. Maintaining ties of kinship in Islam carries great reward in Islam and thus gifting has a very important role to play in the establishment of healthy and affectionate relationships.

In Islam law, the word ‘gift’ or Hiba refers to the willing transfer of a specific item from one individual to another who receives and acknowledges its possession. There should be no ambiguity regarding the nature of the item, which should be clearly specified.

Exchanging presents has long been a way of improving relationships between parties and in Islam it is an expression of love and respect. It is noteworthy that the benefit of gifting is twofold: not only will it increase mutual love and affection but also result in reward for fulfilling a Sunnah and for having a noble purpose. Aisha RA narrates in a hadith:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to accept gifts and used to give something in return. (Al Bukhari: 2585)

In another Hadith, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ advised regarding the superiority of gifts:

O Muslim women! None of you should look down upon the gift sent by her female neighbor even if it were the trotters of the sheep (fleshless part of legs).  (Al Bukhari: 2566)

Importance and Benefits of Gifting in Islam

Enhances Affection and Love

The practice of Gifting carries immense value in the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ because of the positivity underlying the gesture. When done with a pure heart, gifting leads to the development of love and affection between people and is a great channel to promote harmonious relationship between Muslims.

Removes Illness of the Heart

From a spiritual perspective, gifts can go a long way in mitigating rancor and enmity from the recipient’s heart since they are unadulterated by any malignant thought and hence a sign of goodwill. The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have said:

‘Give presents to one another. Presents remove malice from the hearts.’ (Tirmidhi)

Gifts for the Purpose of Gratitude

Gifting is one way to express gratitude to someone and it has also been shown through the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. Islam places great emphasis on acknowledging someone’s favor and showing gratitude for their service.

The notable companion of the Prophet ﷺ Abu Hurairah RA narrated in a hadith:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: He who does not thank the people is not thankful to Allah.

Way to Seek Allah’s Pleasure

Sharing gifts with family, friends and loved ones is one promising way of receiving Allahs pleasure and His Blessings and of course one should strive to his fullest to gain as much favor of Allah as possible in order to gain admission to Jannah on the Day of Judgement. There is also the reward of emulating a Sunnah and encouraging unity and love between two Muslims. It can be thus unequivocally stated that gifting in Islam rewards both the giver and the receiver so one should endeavor to do as much of it as possible.

Tips for Islamic Gift-giving

While the Sunnah has multiple examples of gift-giving by and to the Prophet ﷺ, there is no strict restriction of what is recommended as being the ideal gift in the Sunnah except of course that it is not something Haraam or prohibited in Deen. Perfumes, however, have been a markedly popular gift item from the time of the Prophet ﷺ till date and the Prophet ﷺ has advised against rejecting a fragrance that is gifted. Anas RA, a companion of the Prophet ﷺ, said: The Prophet (ﷺ) used not to reject the gifts of perfume.

Some pertinent tips are highlighted below that should be kept in mind when planning to make a gift of something for someone, the Sunnah way.

1. Intention

When planning a gift for someone, it is important to first be sure of one’s intention. Gift-giving in Islam should be without any ulterior motive besides that of seeking Allah’s pleasure and showing love and affection towards the recipient. Not only will the gift assist in improving relations between the two parties but the giver is also rewarded by Allah SWT.

2. Gifting according to the Recipient’s Preferences

It feels rewarding to see the recipient being truly pleased with the gift and finding it to be exactly what something he needs. It is good to look into the recipient’s preferences before buying a gift.

3. No Specific Time or Occasion

While it is a good thing to gift someone on achieving a milestone for example graduation or so, the best part about gifting in Islam is that there doesn’t need to be a specific occasion for it. You can do it anytime and gain the benefit of reward from Allah SWT as well as taking a step towards a cordial relationship. It is advised to not just wait for occasions but to be random with gifts as just a kind offering.

4. Gifts that are Worship-friendly

It is always a smart idea to turn towards items that are worship-friendly and would facilitate the recipient in his worship. That way, apart from availing the virtue of gifting, one would also be rewarded for any prayer or worship the recipient does through that particular gift. The ABDEEZ Gift Prayer Mat with Matching Prayer Beads would serve as a lovely present for someone who is getting married or even as a thoughtful gesture towards a friend borne out of love and affection.

TL;DR:
Learn about the art of gifting in Islam, inspired by the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Discover its significance in promoting love, gratitude, and harmony among Muslims. Understand the importance of gifting in Islam, seeking Allah's pleasure, and strengthening relationships. Explore tips for Islamic gift-giving, making thoughtful and worship-friendly choices to foster meaningful bonds.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Admin. (2023, January 18). What does Islam say about gifts?. Islam Believer. https://islambeliever.com/gift-in-islam/

Cat, F. (2021, March 8). Gift giving - the best act of generosity in Islam " Hidden pearls. Hidden Pearls. https://www.hidden-pearls.co.uk/the-hijab-diaries/the-best-act-of-generosity-in-islam-gift-giving/

Gifts - sunnah.com - sayings and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم). (n.d.). https://sunnah.com/bukhari/51#:~:text=al%2DBukhari%202568-,Narrated%20Abu%20Huraira%3A,a%20trotter%20of%20a%20sheep.%22

Giving gifts in Islam. International Learning Movement. (n.d.). https://www.ilmuk.org/news/giving-gifts-in-islam/