Question:

My question is: Am I allowed to accept gifts from Muslim and non Muslim friends, if they give on Valentine’s Day and on my birthday?

Fatwa:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Offering or accepting a gift is something that is legislated and encouraged in Islam as this leads to fulfilling the religious objectives. The Prophet said: "Exchange gifts as this removes the spite from your hearts towards one another." [Ahmad and At-Tirmithi]

However, one should not accept gifts especially from non Muslims on such innovated occasions and festivals. Accepting gifts on such occasions is confirming these festivals especially on Valentine's Day, as this day is a slogan of the non Muslim in committing dissolute acts, fornication and adultery. So refraining from accepting gifts on such a day is more confirmed in order to fulfill the religious benefit in condemning these festivals.

Thus, it is not permitted to accept gifts on the occasion of these festivals, be it Valentine's Day or a birthday or other false festivals that Allah has not legislated.

Allah Knows best.

Fatwa answered by: The Fatwa Center at Islamweb