Ref: hib001/08

January 2008

Q: My question is regarding year-end gifts / season gifts. We receive different kinds of gifts from our suppliers. Some of them are just items of use and others are edible items. Some of them are clearly marked as season's greetings and others read happy new year, some read as year end greetings, etc. And some dont have anything written on it.
Can we use/ consume these items? What should we do if not allowed to use them? 

A:

Since these gifts are generally given as year-end gifts and not as an offering to a “diety”, nor are they necessarily linked to a religious occasion in the general practice (Urf), it is not haraam to accept and use the gifts. However, if the gifts are clearly linked to Christmas or other customary festivities such as new years, easter etc, it is best to avoid accepting and using them.