GIFTING OTHERS

Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim

Assalam alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu 

I do love gifts and surprises too. Good surprises of course. The smiles, the hugs and the bond that it builds since it lightens up a spark. And makes you feel like a small baby bird filled with excitement. We always like ‘Oh yay! A gift’ it is quite enjoyable no matter what it is especially if it is unexpected. I told you I love surprises too. Just stare at one thing in the house and tell me it does hold some sort of memory, it does. It reminds you of an occasion and obviously someone (it better be halal though!). You see are filled with bundles of emotions, and gifts work their magic if I can say and solve problems too. Instead of increasing the hatred, love is build. Try it sometime.

Gift giving is one of the good manners that maintains and strengthens relations between the giver and the receiver. It is one of the acts that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and he recommended us Muslims to do it as well. It doesn't necessarily have to be some expensive gift what would be of more concern is the thought and who it’s from, your parent, your kid(s), a friend etc. In a hadeeth from Bukhari narrated that ‘Aisha said: "The Messenger of Allah used to accept gifts and reward people for giving them." It is further explained that the phrase: “Reward people for giving them,” means giving the giver (at a later time) something of equal value at least in return. This Hadeeth (narration) indicates that accepting gifts and giving something of equal value (or more) to the giver is the way of the Prophet. The Prophet enjoined responding in kind to favours, as he said in an authentic narration: “Whoever does you a favour, respond in kind, and if you cannot find the means of doing so, then keep praying for him until you think that you have responded in kind.” (Abu Daawood) “Whoever does you a favour,” means, whoever treats you kindly in word or deed or by gifting you. “Respond in kind,” means to treat him kindly just as he has treated you kindly. “If you cannot find the means of doing so” means if you do not have the money or a suitable gift. “Until you think that you have responded in kind” means, repeatedly supplicate for him until you think that you have rewarded him his due.

One of the Du'a forms that one can say is 'Jazaaka Allahu khayran' (May Allah reward you with good). At-Tirmithi narrated that Usaamah Ibn Zayd said: The Messenger of Allah said: “Whoever has a favour done for him and says 'Jazaak Allahu khayran' has done his utmost to thank him.” (At-Tirmithi) “Done his utmost to thank him,” means that he has done his utmost to express his gratitude, because he has acknowledged his shortcomings and that he is unable to reward and thank him enough, so he refers the matter to Allah, to reward him in the best manner. It is said that: "If you are unable to give him back in kind, then speak at length thanking him and supplicating for him." (Tuhfat Al-Ahwathi) A Committee (a supreme Islamic judicial authority in Saudi Arabia, was asked a similar question) and replied as follows: "There is nothing wrong with accepting it (an amount of money as a gift), without you (the recipient) longing for that, and you can respond in kind if you are able to with an appropriate gift, or you can supplicate for him, because the Prophet said: “Whoever does you a favour, respond in kind … (the above-mentioned Hadeeth)." (Fataawa Al-Lajnah Al-Daa’imah).

Unfortunately, the habit of giving presents to one another, with an earnest heart, is fast disappearing among the Muslims, as a whole, and though it is still done, to some extent, in relation to holy men, it is seldom that one offers a gift to a friend, relative or neighbour despite the fact that it is an unfailing recipe handed down to us by the Messenger of Allah happiness and good social relations and a sure means to earning the countenance of the Lord. Among other genuine hadeeths it is related by 'Aisha that the Messenger of Allah said: “Exchange presents with one another. Presents remove ill-will from the hearts.” (Tirmidhi). In another hadeeth Abu Hurairah relates, saying that the Messenger of Allah said: “Give presents to one another. Presents remove malice from the hearts, and a female neighbour should not regard the gift of a part of the feet of a goat to another female neighbour as of no value.” (Tirmidhi). From both hadeeths it is clear that exchanging of gifts does remove ill feelings from one's heart. It was also narrated by Jabir that the Messenger of Allah said: “If a present is made to anyone, and he has something to give in return, he should offer it, and if he has nothing to give (in return), he should praise him (by way of gratitude), and say a good word in his behalf. Whoever did it, fulfilled the claim of gratitude. And whoever did not and concealed a favour (done to him), was guilty of ingratitude, and whoever flaunts a virtue that, has not been granted to him is like a man who wears a double croak of deception.” (Tirmidhi and Abu Dawood). Abu Hurairah also reported that the Messenger of Allah said: “Whoever failed to give thanks to anyone who did a favour to him failed to give thanks to Allah.” (Ahmad and Tirmidhi).

Like I said, I love gifts who doesn't right? And we should love for our fellow brother or sister in Islam what we love for ourselves. So buy or make a gift, pick up something in a good condition in your house and present it to your brother or sister in Islam. Get your kids and spouse a special gift too. Let us spread that affection. My gift to you will be to remind you of our beautiful deen.

May Allah help us to revive this Sunnah In Sha Allah.

And Allah knows best.