Eid Gifts
Question
Please can you clarify in regards to Eid gifts. The family get together on Eid and share multiple Eid gifts in the form of money and toys to the family, sometimes stressing about what to get for the family and the children. I want to check on how far we should go with Eid gifts and the Islamic way. Islamically, is it Sunnah or permissible to undertake and wrap presents and money on Eid day? If such gifting is allowed, is there a better way or Islamic way of gifting? I was thinking more of gifting and sharing the reward in a different way such as providing an olive tree on behalf of that child or family. Is this valid?
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
Answer
The day of Eid is a day of happiness and celebration. The Prophet ﷺ said:
يا أبا بكر، إن لكل قوم عيدا وهذا عيدنا
“O Abū Bakr, indeed every community has a celebration, and this is our celebration” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 952).
Exchanging gifts is recommended generally and is a means of increasing affection. The Prophet ﷺ said:
تھادوا تحابوا
“Exchange gifts, you will love each other” (al-Adab al-Mufrad, 594).
There is therefore no harm in exchanging gifts on the day of Eid, and it is permissible to wrap presents should one choose to do so. One should however not regard it necessary or a specific Sunnah of Eid day and it should not become a burden.
In so far as donating an olive tree or similar charitable gift for the reward of somebody, this is also commendable. However, both are not mutually exclusive.
قال الحصكفي في الدر المختار (٢/٣٥٦): دفع الزكاة إلى صبيان أقاربه برسم عيد أو إلى مبشر أو مهدي الباكورة جاز، إلا إذا نص على التعويض، انتهى۔
Allah knows best
Yusuf Shabbir
21 Dhū al-Ḥijjah 1444 / 9 July 2023
Approved by: Mufti Shabbir Ahmed and Mufti Muhammad Tahir
