Giving a gift and receiving it graciously nourishes love between hearts.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) accepted gifts and responded with something better. He said, "Give gifts to one another, for a gift removes rancour from the heart." Even a small present can sometimes mend a great hurt.
What does the hadith say?
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا عِيسَى بْنُ يُونُسَ، عَنْ هِشَامٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْبَلُ الْهَدِيَّةَ وَيُثِيبُ عَلَيْهَا. لَمْ يَذْكُرْ وَكِيعٌ وَمُحَاضِرٌ عَنْ هِشَامٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَائِشَةَ.
Narrated `Aisha:Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to accept gifts and used to give something in return
Text: Sahih al-Bukhari, hadith no. 2585. Grade: sahih (hadiths in al-Bukhari and Muslim are accepted as sahih).
What is the hadith source of this sunnah?
This sunnah rests on the following hadiths. The reference gives the collection, chapter and number where the hadith appears.
- at-Tirmidhi, Book of Wala' and Gifts, 6 (hadith no. 2130)
- al-Bukhari, Book of Gifts, 11 (hadith no. 2585)
- Ibn Abi Shaybah, al-Musannaf, Book of Sales and Judgments, 253
How this page was prepared: sources and verification method.
More sunnahs in Social Life
As a table with references: Social Life sunnahs.
- Looking After the Neighbor: Treating the neighbor well and looking after them is a sunnah the Prophet valued greatly.
- Visiting the Sick: Visiting and consoling sick friends and loved ones is a beautiful part of the sunnah.
- Saying That You Love Someone: Telling someone you love them is a sunnah the Prophet recommended.
- Honoring the Guest: Meeting guests with a smiling face and generosity is one of the beautiful reflections of the sunnah.
- Forgiveness and Keeping One's Word: Forgiving the one who wrongs you and answering with kindness was the way of the Prophet.
- Giving Charity: Giving charity, however little, protects its giver and softens the heart.
- Faithfulness to a Trust: Guarding what is entrusted to you and returning it to its owner is the most basic sign of trustworthiness.
- Wanting for Your Brother Too: Wanting for your brother what you want for yourself is a sign of mature faith.
- Seeking Knowledge: Allah eases the path to Paradise for one who sets out in search of knowledge.
- Never Saying "I Have None": A generosity that made a principle of never saying "I have none" when asked for something.