Discover the meaning of the term Al-hba (هبة) in Islamic vocabulary.
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Updated on 11 April 2026 at 1:05 AM
📖 4 min readIn language: liberality; in the Law: transferring ownership of a thing without compensation.
A verbal noun from haba (he gave), like 'ada (he promised) with 'adda. In language: liberality, favor, and bringing benefit to another, in money or otherwise. In the Law: transferring ownership without compensation. As for the gift with a condition of compensation, it is not a pure, simple gift: it is a gift at the start, that is, before taking possession, and a sale at the end, that is, after taking possession; even if the two part, the contract is valid and ranks as a sale. Since it is a gift at the start, the exchange of offer and acceptance (taqabud) over the two compensations is required in the session or after it by its permission, for each party in this gift is donor from one aspect and donee from another; taking possession is a condition of the gift's validity. It is voided by common ownership: were one to give an undivided share with a condition of compensation, it is not permitted. And since it is a sale at the end, it is returnable for defect, subject to the option of inspection (khiyar ar-ru'ya), and preemption is taken if the thing given for compensation is real property.
- With kasra on the ha' and lightening of the definite ha' - In language: the gift free of compensations and ulterior aims; when such gifts multiply, their giver is called wahhab (profusely generous). 'Atahhaba al-hiba' (he accepted the gift): he took it; 'istahbaba-ha': he asked for it; 'tawahhabu': they gave to one another. The majority of jurists noted that hiba, hadiyya, sadaqa, and 'atiyya are terms of near meanings; yet there is a difference between sadaqa and hadiyya: by the first one draws near to God, by the second to the one given it. Al-Azhari, the Maliki, said: hiba and sadaqa differ only in two respects: first, the hiba can be taken back (ta'tasar) but not the sadaqa: if the father gives his son a thing he may reclaim it from him, but not if he gave it as alms; second, the gift's return to its giver's ownership by sale, gift, alms, or otherwise is permitted, but not so the sadaqa: its return to the almsgiver's ownership by the mentioned kinds is disliked. Al-Hasna said: if the seeking of reward is unmixed in it, it is sadaqa; if carried to the recipient in honor and affection, it is hadiyya; otherwise it is hiba. In (the work) 'al-Fath': hiba is used in its broadest sense for kinds of release, such as remitting the debt owed by its debtor. Al-maniha: the ewe or she-camel her owner gives a man to drink her milk, returning her when the milk dries.
The gift free of compensations and purposes; when they multiply, its giver is called wahhab, an intensive form of exaggeration.
Immediate, complete transfer of ownership without compensation.
In language: liberality.