Gifts from customers

Q: Please advise on the permissibility of the following two gifts:

1. I recently went to Asia on a business trip on behalf of the company for which I work. I visited numerous Asian customers who gave me a small gift. I assume that this is part of the Asian culture.

2. One of the sales managers who gives out year-end gifts to our customers, gave me one of these gifts. I believe that this was surplus stock. Please advise in each case whether it is permissible to keep these gifts.

A:

1. Yes, if the gift was given to you and not for the company.

2. If the sales manager has the right to do so (the directors had allowed him to do so) then it is permissible.

And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.

 

Answered by:

Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)