Accepting Non-Muslims' Gifts

02/04/2009| IslamWeb

Question:

 Am I permitted to accept gifts from my Christian friends on their holidays?

Fatwa:

All praise be to Allah The Almighty, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Him, and that Muhammad, , is His slave and messenger.

 

Muslims must have a strong aversion to disbelief and its associated rituals, which includes holidays particular to its followers, as every nation has its own ceremonies, according to the Prophet, . [Al-Bukhari] A Muslim, therefore, must beware of participating in the observances of disbelievers, since the Quran and Sunnah prohibit it. For further information about this ruling, please see Fatwa No.4586.

 

As for accepting their gifts from their feasts, it falls under the ruling regarding receiving presents from disbelievers at any time; the fact that the occasion is a holiday has no effect on the rule. While some scholars disagree, evidently, it is permissible for a Muslim to accept a gift from a disbeliever whom he wants to bring closer to Islam; and, Allah knows best.

 

Therefore, it is permissible to take gifts from such friends if that will encourage them to embrace Islam or you fear harm from them, provided that (in your heart), you resent their disbelief in Allah The Almighty, the Creator and the Provider for us all.

 

Allah Knows best.