The Difference Between Charity and a Gift

Question :

A letter from 'Abdul-'Azeez bin 'Abdullah bin Baz to brother F.N.M. from Makkah:

May Allah's peace, mercy, and blessings be upon you. In your letter, you stated that you knew that the Messenger of Allah would accept a present, but he wouldn't accept charity.

First, you asked about the difference between charity and a gift, and between a contribution and a grant.
Second, you asked whether it is also forbidden for the family and descendants of the Prophet ﷺ to take charity, and whether that includes the descendants of his daughter, Fatimah, may Allâh be pleased with her. Finally, you asked whether there is a way of proving someone's claim that he is from the descendants of the Messenger of Allah.

Answer:

The difference between a gift and charity: one is motivated to give a gift by love and veneration, whereas one is motivated to give charity by compassion, generosity, and a desire to have reward from Allâh Almighty. This is why the Prophet was permitted to receive gifts as opposed to charity. The same rule applies to his family, including the descendants of Fatimah, may Allah be pleased with her.

As for a contribution or a grant, it holds the same ruling as charity not a gift if the one giving wants to console him and to seek the reward for it from Allah Almighty. If he does it merely out of love for the one he gives it to, or expecting him to give him something in return for it, then in this case it carries the ruling of a gift, because the recipient is to give a gift in return, or supplicate for him if he is incapable. But in case of the one who gives charity, his only objective is reward from Allah Almighty, not that he be given wealth in return, nor did he do it merely out of love or respect to the one he gave to.

To answer your last question, there are some ways of establish- ing someone's claim that he is from the Prophet's descendants:

1) Some trustworthy historians have kept track and are able to say that such and such family is from the Prophet's family.

2) If a person has a document from a trustworthy judge or Islamic scholar stating that he is from the Prophet's family.

3) When it is well-known in a certain country that so and so is from the Prophet's descendants.

4) When two witnesses attest to someone being from the Prophet's descendants, and when they base their testimony on outside proof, such as historical documents or certifi- cates, then that person can be considered to be from the Prophet's family. However, we should not depend on claims that have no basis to them, neither in this issue nor in any other issue. But if a person is convinced by some kind of proof that he is from the Prophet's family, he should refuse to take Zakah (the compulsory charity), based on his belief. Others should also refrain-based on his claim and belief - from giving him Zakah.

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