The exchanging of gifts is an often-overlooked tradition when done to please Allah (swt) and we should revive this beautiful Sunnah.
Charity is given to the poor and needy to meet their needs. It is done with the intention of pleasing Allah (swt). There is no intention of giving it to a specific person, rather it is given to any person in need. There is much reward in giving charity in the form of Sadaqah and Zakat donations and we know that giving Sadaqah doesn’t impact our wealth.
The Messenger of Allah (saw) said: Charity does not decrease wealth, no one forgives another except that Allah increases his honour, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah except that Allah raises his status. (Muslim)
But did you know that giving to others who are not poor and needy is also a very rewarding deed, especially when done to please Allah (swt)? Both the giving of charity and the giving of gifts are righteous deeds for which a person will be rewarded.
Giving gifts is one of the good manners that maintains and strengthens relations between the giver and the recipient. It is a Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (saw) and he recommended Muslims also do this.
Aisha (ra) said: "The Messenger of Allah (saw) used to accept gifts and reward people for giving them."
A gift is given with the intention of honouring a specific person, because of love, friendship, or respect. All of which are important within a Muslim’s conduct because they maintain the ties of kinship, or to fellow brothers or sisters in Islam. These gifts may be better than charity.
In fact, if you give a gift to one of your relatives, the reward may be similar to giving charity, because it is more befitting to uphold the ties of kinship. The same may apply if you give a gift to a friend of yours because that will strengthen the bonds of love between you.
The Prophet (saw) said: “Exchange gifts so you will love one another.” (Bukhari)
The exchanging of gifts is an often-overlooked tradition when done to please Allah (swt) and we should revive this beautiful Sunnah by accepting gifts and giving back gifts of an equal or higher value.
The Prophet (saw) enjoined responding in kind to favours, as he said, “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 Dawud]
Giving charity and giving gifts are both rewarding actions when done to please Allah (swt) and ILM UK has the perfect opportunity to do both at the same time, which means you can double up on the reward available.
Visit our shop today where we have a large gift selection available. You will receive the reward of giving to your loved ones and reward the poor and needy because all proceeds go to charity.
