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Can I Accept Financial Gifts From My Non-Muslim Parents?

15 March, 2022
Q Is it permissible for me to take a financial gift or some property from my non-Muslim parents which was recorded in their will? Is it possible for me to be the alternate trustee for my parents’ estate?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. 

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.


In this fatwa:

1- It is permissible for a Muslim to accept gifts from non-Muslim parents.

2- There is no harm if you are appointed the alternate trustee for your parents’ estate since it is valid for a non-Muslim to appoint a Muslim as a guardian over his property.

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Answering your question, Dar Al-Ifta Al-Misriyyah, states:

Accepting gifts from non-Muslims

It is permissible for a Muslim to accept gifts from a non-Muslim. God Almighty has permitted benevolence and justice toward non-Muslims who do not fight Muslims. He says; {God 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 God loves those who are just.} (Al-Mumtahanah 60:8)

Abu Humaid al-Sa’di (may God be pleased with him) said:

“We went on the conquest of Tabuk with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The king of ‘Aela gave him a white mule and a cloak as a gift” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

There is no harm if you are appointed the alternate trustee for your parents’ estate since it is valid for a non-Muslim to appoint a Muslim as a guardian over his property.

Imam An-Nawawi said:

“It is not permissible for a Muslim to appoint a non-Muslim as a guardian over his property though the opposite is valid.”

Al-Khatib al-Shirbini said: 

“Scholars are in agreement that it is valid for a dhimmi (non-Muslim living under Muslim rule) to appoint a Muslim as a guardian over his property and it is permissible for a Muslim to testify against a dhimmi. It was established that it is permissible for a Muslim to act as a guardian over the property of a dhimmi as the imam may act as the guardian of a dhimmi female in the matter of her marriage” (Mughni Al-Muhtaj, 3/74)

Almighty Allah knows best.

Source: Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah