The importance of giving a gift in Islam
Gifts do not need a good day but a good day needs a gift.
Love, peace, bonding, sincere feeling, gratitude, generosity and respect- that’s what Islam promotes. The connection of not only two hearts, but the hearts of all humanity.
All of these can be reflected with and portrayed by one marvelous thing, and that is called a “gift”. A term we throw around casually without truly realising its importance.
Islam teaches that cost of a gift does not define its worth but the intention with which it is given does. You don’t need to buy gifts worthy of hundreds of dollars, a small and valuable gift given with a pure heart and smile can do wonders.
In Islam, not only the giver but also the receiver earn great rewards forgiving and accepting gifts because it is the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and it’s a very simple form of worship and expression of love.
Every Sunnah is worth practising. We never know which deed can earn us Jannah but we do know that our intentions count.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to accept and give gift to his fellow man and family. He also appreciated the giving and receiving of gifts.
Narrated Anas (RA):
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “Give gifts to one another, for (giving) gifts gently extracts resentment and ill-will.”
Islam teaches Muslims to live with harmony, love and each other and to do favours on fellow Muslims brothers and sisters. All of that can be accomplished through a gift.
Why do giver and receiver earn rewards?
Exchanging gifts is an indication of pure hearts free of any sort of hatred. Expelling hatred in itself is a huge means to reward and the pleasure of Allah, and it takes brotherhood to its finest extent.
Along with that, any and every Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) leads to rewards in not only the afterlife but also the material world.
