Exchanging gifts is a valued custom in Muslim society. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'Give gifts to one another and you will love one another' (Al-Adab al-Mufrad, hadith 594). But, as an article by Prothom Alo's religion desk explains, when bribery, interest or injustice comes wrapped as a present it is no longer a gift, and the hadiths forbid gifts in several situations.
The first is a gift to someone holding office. The Prophet sent a companion, Ibn al-Lutbiyya, to collect zakat; he came back, kept part of the property and said it had been given to him as a gift. The Prophet was angered and asked why he had not sat in his parents' house to see whether anyone would give him gifts there (Sahih Bukhari, hadith 2597). Mulla Ali al-Qari wrote in Mirqat al-Mafatih that such presents, given because of a post, amount to embezzling public property (ghulul).
The second is a gift in return for a recommendation. Interceding for someone's job or a lawful need is a good deed, but the Prophet said that whoever intercedes for his brother, is then given a gift and accepts it, has come to a great door of usury (Sunan Abu Dawud, hadith 3541).
The third is a gift to a lender. Lending to someone in need is good, but a hadith in Sunan Ibn Majah (2432) instructs that if a borrower gives the lender a gift or lets him ride his mount, the lender should not accept it. Where the two already had a habit of exchanging gifts, the case is different.
The fourth is favouring one child. When the companion Nu'man ibn Bashir's father gave him a slave as a gift, the Prophet did not approve it and said, 'Fear Allah and be just among your children' (Sahih Bukhari, hadith 2587). The article notes that such favouritism breeds jealousy and resentment between siblings.
Giving gifts to judges or officials to win an unfair advantage is equally forbidden. The Prophet said Allah's curse is on both the giver and the taker of a bribe (Sunan Tirmidhi, hadith 1337). Shah Waliullah Dehlawi wrote in Hujjat Allah al-Baligha that the custom of presents to rulers and judges spreads injustice and inequality through society.
The article's conclusion is that a gift is a sign of affection; once abuse of office, interest or discrimination enters it, it becomes a social disease, and believers should keep within the limits the Prophet set.
Source: Prothom Alo
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