No obligation of returning a gift for a gift

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The second question of Fatwa no. 14379 It is a custom among the people of my village to give gifts and money on special occasions, and the recipient of the gifts is expected to requite them in kind on the giver's special occasions. What is the ruling if people have a special occasion when the one who received the gifts does not have anything to requite them with; is it impermissible?

A: It is recommended for the one who is given a gift to requite by giving something similar or better. However, the people of the village should not oblige a poor person to requite them giving them gifts like (Part No. 16; Page No. 173) those they gave him. Rather, the proper Shar`y (Islamic legal) behavior is that a Muslim gives a gift expecting nothing in return, only hoping for the reward of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). Thus, anyone who is given a gift is obliged to give nothing in return to the giver. However, it will be preferable to requite the giver. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.