Is it permissible to give someone a housewarming gift?

As salaamu ’alaykum,

Is it halal to give a family member a housewarming gift if they move to a new home?

 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما

Giving a gifts to one another is a commendable in Islam (regardless of there being an occasion or not) and a means of increasing love between one another. Thus, giving gifts to a family member in the aforementioned scenario would also be permissible and commendable provided it is given willingly and isn’t coerced or given due to pressure from others. 

              عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ‏:‏ تَهَادُوا تَحَابُّوا‏.

Abu Hurayra reported that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, “Give gifts and you will love one another.” 

(al-Adab al-Mufrad)

However, if  the gift in the aforementioned scenario is given merely as a custom, such that a person feels obliged to give it or is only giving the gift so the owner would not be offended, then it should be avoided because it defeats the purpose of giving a gift which is to create love and gain reward from Allah.

والله اعلم

And Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala knows best.

AbdurRahman Islam

Approved by Mufti Husain Ahmad Madani