Is refusing to take a meal from a female employee in the company, with the intention of not encouraging the presence of women, a correct action, and what is the proper intention for such an action?
The Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged accepting gifts. He said to Omar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him): "Whatever comes to you from this money, and you are neither aspiring for it nor asking for it, then take it and possess it. If you wish, you may keep all of it, or if you wish, you may give it away in charity. But whatever does not come to you in this manner, do not pursue it." He also said: "If I were invited to (eat) a foreleg or a trotter, I would accept; and if a foreleg or a trotter were gifted to me, I would accept it." Scholars have differed on the obligation of accepting gifted money, but the correct and well-known view is that it is recommended. Accordingly, accepting gifted food is recommended, unless the work of the women in the company involves Sharia violations. In that case, refraining from accepting the gift would be a form of denouncing evil and shunning its perpetrators, and it would be a praiseworthy act.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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