Q 1: What are Shar`y (Islamic legal) conditions for a gift to be valid?

A: The following are the conditions for a gift to be valid: 1. Proposal and acceptance. For example, the giver proposes to give a certain gift to another who expresses acceptance in any way whether verbally or practically. 2. The actual gift should be known, meaning, one should gift a known object. 3. Ability to deliver the gift. It will not be valid if the gift is undeliverable. 4. The gift should not be a purchased object that has not yet been received. 5. The gift should not be contingent on a future condition. 6. In case of one's children, justice must be observed. A parent may not give a gift specifically to one child while depriving other children. 7. The gift must not be meant for bribery, such as gifts for workers, e.g. An employee giving a gift to his supervisor or a student giving a gift to his teacher in public schools. (Part No. 16; Page No. 171) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.