Chapter 12 - On Exchanging Gifts

“It is part of a man's nobility to accept his Muslim brother's gifts, and give him a gift from what he has, and not cause himself any difficulty for this matter.”

Imam Baqir (a.s) said: “The Prophet of God (a.s) accepted gifts, but did not accept charity, and said: Give gifts to each other since this will eliminate hard feelings and remove any bad feelings and left over animosities.”

“The Prophet of God (a.s) liked gifts and considered them to be good and allowed. He took gifts and gave equal gifts in return.”

Ibrahim al-Karkhi talked to Imam Sadiq (a.s) about a man who owned a large farm and said: “People bring him gifts on the first day of fall and spring, and try to get close to him. He accepts their gifts even though he does not know them.” The Imam asked: “Are there any who pray among those who bring him gifts?” Ibrahim said: “Yes there are.” The Imam (a.s) said: “Then he should accept their gifts and be kind to them. God's Prophet (a.s) said he will even accept a leg of lamb as a gift since accepting gifts is a part of religion. But if a hypocrite or an infidel gives me a date I will not accept it since this is also one of the principles of our religion, and God has not allowed me to accept the gifts or the food of the hypocrites and the infidels.”

“A man's companions share the gifts that he receives.”

Imam Sadiq (a.s) said: “There are three kinds of gifts: gifts in return for gifts, gifts for making up and gifts for God.”