Is it permissible to receive gifts from non-Muslims (atheists, Christians, Jews) and giving them gifts?

Is it appropriate to worship wearing trousers, shirts, etc received as gifts from atheists, Christians, Jews and similar people?

Dear Brother / Sister,

It is permissible to receive gifts from non-Muslims. It is permissible to perform prayers with them.

Allah orders us to treat well those who are members of different religions and who do not harm and fight Muslims: 

“Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just.” (al-Mumtahina, 60/8)

Muslims should approach their non-Muslim neighbors by giving gifts to them and speaking to them sweetly. Despising and frightening are contrary to the order of treating them well. We should pray for their guidance. Approaching them with big and small favors is the way of doing favors. Islam orders us to visit relatives even if they are from different religions. The Quran orders us to talk to our parents nicely even if they are from different religions. (see Luqman, 31/15) According to this verse, it is decreed that a Muslim son needs to provide nafaqah (money for sustenance) to his dhimmi parents.

The Prophet (pbuh) visited a Jewish neighbor who was ill, asked about his health and sat next to him.

One of the targets of favors is to win hearts; exchanging presents is one of them. When Abu Sufyan was a polytheist, the Prophet gave him and other people from different religions gifts generously. When the Prophet (pbuh) sent letters to foreign heads of state to invite them to Islam, he sent gifts with envoys and accepted the gifts brought by them. Umar b. Khattab gave the gift that the Prophet had given to him to his brother, who was a polytheist then. When Adiyy bin Hatam came to the mosque of the Prophet (pbuh) without permission, the Prophet held his hand, took him to his home and treated some food to him. When the Prophet was asked to curse the tribe of Daws, he prayed for their guidance.

When the Prophet (pbuh) was in Madinah, famine started in Makkah. The Prophet (pbuh) helped those who faced starvation though they were polytheists. He sent 500 dinars (gold) to Makkah. He wanted the money to be given to Abu Sufyan and Safwan bin Umayya to be distributed to the poor people of Makkah.

Acting upon these incidents, our scholars say it is permissible for a Muslim to give gifts to non-Muslims and to receive gifts from them. (Ibn Abidin, Raddul-Muhtar, V/420)

Another incident that took place in the Era of Bliss sheds light on the issue. Hz. Abu Bakr's daughter Asma narrates:

During the time of the Messenger of Allah, my mother, who was a polytheist, came to my house with some raisins and oil as gifts. I did not want to accept the gifts and allow her to my house. I went to the Messenger of Allah and asked,

“O Messenger of Allah! My mother came to me with her son Harith. He wants to approach me and to be entertained by me. Can I show respect to my mother and entertain her?” The Messenger of Allah said,

“Yes. Show respect to your mother and entertain her.” (Bukhari, Hiba 26)

As it is understood from the hadith, the Prophet (pbuh) advised Hz. Asma to accept the food brought by her mother and to show respect to her though she was a polytheist. Mentioning this hadith in the chapter called “the Permissibility of a Muslim Giving an Unbeliever Gifts”, Bukhari states that this hadith is evidence for the issue.

The most important point to be taken into consideration in relationships like that one is to try to show them the beauty of Islam by practicing it. For, a deed or a statement that is liked by a non-Muslim may cause him to attain guidance one day.

Questions on Islam