Chapter on the Rulings of Hibah (gifts) and ʿAṭiyyah (grants)

A hibah is the voluntary transfer, during one’s lifetime, by a legally competent person of a specified piece of property to someone else.

The Prophet ﷺ himself used to give gifts and accept them; he would bestow and he would receive. Thus hibah and hadiyah (presents) are among the Sunnah practices that are strongly encouraged because of the benefits they bring. The Prophet ﷺ said, “Exchange gifts and you will love one another.” ʿĀʾishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would accept a gift and reward the giver for it.” He also said, “Give gifts, for a gift removes ill feeling.”

A gift becomes binding once the recipient has taken possession of it with the donor’s permission; thereafter the donor has no right to take it back. Before possession, however, he may retract the gift, as shown by the ḥadīth of ʿĀʾishah.