The Prophet (s.a.w.) Accepted a Gift from a Swahabah before He was Muslim

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

During the time when Sayyidina Abu ‘Abdullah Salman al-Farisi (r.a.) was not yet a Muslim, he went to the Prophet (s.a.w.), when he first entered Madina, with a platter of dates.  He placed this in the hands of the Prophet (s.a.w.).  He had read that one of the signs of a prophet is that he does not take from charity. 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) asked him, “What is this, Salman?” 

He replied, “Charity for your companions and you.” 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “Take it since we do not eat from charity.” 

Sayyidina Salman (r.a.) took it and returned the next day with a similar platter and gave it to the Prophet (s.a.w.) who asked him again, “What is this, Salman?” 

And Sayyidina Salman (r.a.) replied, “Charity for your companions and you.” 

Again, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) told him, “Take it since we do not eat from charity.” 

So, Sayyidina Salman (r.a.) took it and came the following day with a similar platter and gave it to the Prophet (s.a.w.) who asked him, “What is this, Salman?” 

And he replied, “A gift.” 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) said to his companions, “Come and have refreshments.” 

Imam Zayn ad-Din Abu al-Fadhl ‘Abd ar-Rahim ibn al-Husayn al-‘Iraqi (r.a.) commented on this hadits, saying, “This is proof that accepting gifts from non-Muslims is permissible since Salman was still not a Muslim at this point in time.”  These texts demonstrate that receiving gifts from non-Muslims is permissible and is even considered a sunnah.  This accepting of gift is not only out of general kindness to humanity, but is also to follow the sunnah. 

Imam Zayn al-Din Abu Yaḥya ibn Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Answari as-Sunayki (r.a.) mentioned that, “It is permissible to accept a gift from a non-believer, following the example of the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.).”


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