Charity
الصدقةGiving for Allah’s sake and benefiting others
Qur'an
القرآن الكريممَثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنۢبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِى كُلِّ سُنۢبُلَةٍۢ مِّا۟ئَةُ حَبَّةٍۢ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُضَـٰعِفُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ
The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.
Translation: Saheeh International
ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ثُمَّ لَا يُتْبِعُونَ مَآ أَنفَقُوا۟ مَنًّۭا وَلَآ أَذًۭى ۙ لَّهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah and then do not follow up what they have spent with reminders [of it] or [other] injury will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.
Translation: Saheeh International
ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُم بِٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ سِرًّۭا وَعَلَانِيَةًۭ فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Those who spend their wealth [in Allah 's way] by night and by day, secretly and publicly - they will have their reward with their Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.
Translation: Saheeh International
لَن تَنَالُوا۟ ٱلْبِرَّ حَتَّىٰ تُنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ ۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِن شَىْءٍۢ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌۭ
Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah ] from that which you love. And whatever you spend - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.
Translation: Saheeh International
إِنَّ ٱلْمُصَّدِّقِينَ وَٱلْمُصَّدِّقَـٰتِ وَأَقْرَضُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًۭا يُضَـٰعَفُ لَهُمْ وَلَهُمْ أَجْرٌۭ كَرِيمٌۭ
Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity and [they who] have loaned Allah a goodly loan - it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward.
Translation: Saheeh International
Hadith
الحديث النبويعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " مَا نَقَصَتْ صَدَقَةٌ مِنْ مَالٍ وَمَا زَادَ اللَّهُ عَبْدًا بِعَفْوٍ إِلاَّ عِزًّا وَمَا تَوَاضَعَ أَحَدٌ لِلَّهِ إِلاَّ رَفَعَهُ اللَّهُ " .
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
Charity does not decrease wealth, no one forgives another except that Allah increases his honor, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah except that Allah raises his status.
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَىُّ الصَّدَقَةِ أَعْظَمُ أَجْرًا قَالَ " أَنْ تَصَدَّقَ وَأَنْتَ صَحِيحٌ شَحِيحٌ، تَخْشَى الْفَقْرَ وَتَأْمُلُ الْغِنَى، وَلاَ تُمْهِلُ حَتَّى إِذَا بَلَغَتِ الْحُلْقُومَ قُلْتَ لِفُلاَنٍ كَذَا، وَلِفُلاَنٍ كَذَا، وَقَدْ كَانَ لِفُلاَنٍ ".
Narrated Abu Huraira:
A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and asked, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Which charity is the most superior in reward?" He replied, "The charity which you practice while you are healthy, niggardly and afraid of poverty and wish to become wealthy. Do not delay it to the time of approaching death and then say, 'Give so much to such and such, and so much to such and such.' And it has already belonged to such and such (as it is too late)."
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " كُلُّ سُلاَمَى مِنَ النَّاسِ عَلَيْهِ صَدَقَةٌ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ تَطْلُعُ فِيهِ الشَّمْسُ، يَعْدِلُ بَيْنَ الاِثْنَيْنِ صَدَقَةٌ، وَيُعِينُ الرَّجُلَ عَلَى دَابَّتِهِ، فَيَحْمِلُ عَلَيْهَا، أَوْ يَرْفَعُ عَلَيْهَا مَتَاعَهُ صَدَقَةٌ، وَالْكَلِمَةُ الطَّيِّبَةُ صَدَقَةٌ، وَكُلُّ خُطْوَةٍ يَخْطُوهَا إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ صَدَقَةٌ، وَيُمِيطُ الأَذَى عَنِ الطَّرِيقِ صَدَقَةٌ ".
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "There is a (compulsory) Sadaqa (charity) to be given for every joint of the human body (as a sign of gratitude to Allah) everyday the sun rises. To judge justly between two persons is regarded as Sadaqa, and to help a man concerning his riding animal by helping him to ride it or by lifting his luggage on to it, is also regarded as Sadaqa, and (saying) a good word is also Sadaqa, and every step taken on one's way to offer the compulsory prayer (in the mosque) is also Sadaqa and to remove a harmful thing from the way is also Sadaqa."
عَنْ عُقْبَةَ بْنِ الْحَارِثِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ صَلَّيْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْعَصْرَ، فَلَمَّا سَلَّمَ قَامَ سَرِيعًا دَخَلَ عَلَى بَعْضِ نِسَائِهِ، ثُمَّ خَرَجَ وَرَأَى مَا فِي وُجُوهِ الْقَوْمِ مِنْ تَعَجُّبِهِمْ لِسُرْعَتِهِ فَقَالَ " ذَكَرْتُ وَأَنَا فِي الصَّلاَةِ تِبْرًا عِنْدَنَا، فَكَرِهْتُ أَنْ يُمْسِيَ أَوْ يَبِيتَ عِنْدَنَا فَأَمَرْتُ بِقِسْمَتِهِ ".
Narrated `Uqba bin Al-Harith:
I offered the `Asr prayer with the Prophet (ﷺ) and after finishing the prayer with Taslim he got up quickly and went to some of his wives and then came out. He noticed the signs of astonishment on the faces of the people caused by his speed. He then said, "I remembered while I was in my prayer that a piece of gold was Lying in my house and I disliked that it should remain with us throughout the night, and so I have ordered it to be distributed."
وعنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : "إذا مات ابن آدم انقطع عمله إلا من ثلاث: صدقة جارية ،أو علم ينتفع به، أو ولد صالح يدعو له" ((رواه مسلم)).
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); a knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (for the deceased)."
عَنْ مَرْثَد بْن عَبْدِ اللهِ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ ظِلُّ الْمُؤْمِنِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ صَدَقَتُهُ
Marthad ibn Abdullah reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The shade of the believer on the Day of Resurrection is his charity.”
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ أَنَّهَا قَالَتِ اشْتَدَّ وَجَعُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ وعنده سَبْعَةُ دَنَانِيرَ أَوْ تِسْعَةٌ فقَالَ يَا عَائِشَةُ مَا فَعَلَتْ تِلْكَ الذَّهَبُ فَقُلْتُ هِيَ عِنْدِي قَالَ تَصَدَّقِي بِهَا فَشُغِلْتُ بِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا عَائِشَةُ مَا فَعَلَتْ تِلْكَ الذَّهَبُ فَقُلْتُ هِيَ عِنْدِي فقَالَ ائْتِنِي بِهَا فَجِئْتُ بِهَا فَوَضَعَهَا فِي كَفِّهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ مَا ظَنُّ مُحَمَّدٍ أَنْ لَوْ لَقِيَ اللَّهَ وَهَذِهِ عِنْدَهُ
Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was in the severe agony of his final illness and he had seven or nine gold coins.
The Prophet said, “O Aisha, what have you done with this gold?” I said, “It is with me.” The Prophet said, “Give it away in charity.” But I was busy caring for him, and then he said, “O Aisha, what have you done with this gold?” I said, “It is with me.” The Prophet said, “Give it to me.” I brought them and placed them in his hands, then the Prophet said, “What is Muhammad thinking if he were to meet Allah while holding onto these?”
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " بَيْنَمَا رَجُلٌ يَمْشِي بِطَرِيقٍ اشْتَدَّ عَلَيْهِ الْعَطَشُ، فَوَجَدَ بِئْرًا فَنَزَلَ فِيهَا فَشَرِبَ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ، فَإِذَا كَلْبٌ يَلْهَثُ يَأْكُلُ الثَّرَى مِنَ الْعَطَشِ فَقَالَ الرَّجُلُ لَقَدْ بَلَغَ هَذَا الْكَلْبَ مِنَ الْعَطَشِ مِثْلُ الَّذِي كَانَ بَلَغَ بِي، فَنَزَلَ الْبِئْرَ فَمَلأَ خُفَّهُ، ثُمَّ أَمْسَكَهُ بِفِيهِ، فَسَقَى الْكَلْبَ، فَشَكَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ فَغَفَرَ لَهُ ". قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَإِنَّ لَنَا فِي الْبَهَائِمِ أَجْرًا. فَقَالَ " فِي كُلِّ ذَاتِ كَبِدٍ رَطْبَةٍ أَجْرٌ ".
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "While a man was walking on a road. he became very thirsty. Then he came across a well, got down into it, drank (of its water) and then came out. Meanwhile he saw a dog panting and licking mud because of excessive thirst. The man said to himself "This dog is suffering from the same state of thirst as I did." So he went down the well (again) and filled his shoe (with water) and held it in his mouth and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for that deed and forgave him." The people asked, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! Is there a reward for us in serving the animals?" He said, "(Yes) There is a reward for serving any animate (living being) ."
عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " تَبَسُّمُكَ فِي وَجْهِ أَخِيكَ لَكَ صَدَقَةٌ وَأَمْرُكَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَنَهْيُكَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ صَدَقَةٌ وَإِرْشَادُكَ الرَّجُلَ فِي أَرْضِ الضَّلاَلِ لَكَ صَدَقَةٌ وَبَصَرُكَ لِلرَّجُلِ الرَّدِيءِ الْبَصَرِ لَكَ صَدَقَةٌ وَإِمَاطَتُكَ الْحَجَرَ وَالشَّوْكَةَ وَالْعَظْمَ عَنِ الطَّرِيقِ لَكَ صَدَقَةٌ وَإِفْرَاغُكَ مِنْ دَلْوِكَ فِي دَلْوِ أَخِيكَ لَكَ صَدَقَةٌ " .
Abu Dharr narrated that the Messenger of Allah said :
"Your smiling in the face of your brother is charity, commanding good and forbidding evil is charity, your giving directions to a man lost in the land is charity for you. Your seeing for a man with bad sight is a charity for you, your removal of a rock, a thorn or a bone from the road is charity for you. Your pouring what remains from your bucket into the bucket of your brother is charity for you."
وعن عدى بن حاتم رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: "اتقوا النار ولو بشق تمرة" ((متفق عليه)).
'Adi bin Hatim (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Protect yourself from Hell-fire even by giving a piece of date as charity."
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ثَلَاثٌ كُلُّهُنَّ حَقٌّ مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ ظُلِمَ بِمَظْلَمَةٍ فَيُغْضِي عَنْهَا لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلَّا أَعَزَّ اللَّهُ بِهَا نَصْرَهُ وَمَا فَتَحَ رَجُلٌ بَابَ عَطِيَّةٍ يُرِيدُ بِهَا صِلَةً إِلَّا زَادَهُ اللَّهُ بِهَا كَثْرَةً وَمَا فَتَحَ رَجُلٌ بَابَ مَسْأَلَةٍ يُرِيدُ بِهَا كَثْرَةً إِلَّا زَادَهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ بِهَا قِلَّةً
Abu Huraira reported:
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “There are three persons who will get what they deserve. No servant is wronged, and he withholds retaliation for the sake of Allah Almighty, but that Allah will strengthen him with His support. A man does not open the door of charity to strengthen family ties, but that Allah will increase his wealth. And a man does not open the door of begging to usurp wealth but that Allah will increase his poverty.”
عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ أَصَابَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ أَرْضًا بِخَيْبَرَ فَأَتَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَاسْتَأْمَرَهُ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي أَصَبْتُ مَالاً بِخَيْبَرَ لَمْ أُصِبْ مَالاً قَطُّ هُوَ أَنْفَسُ عِنْدِي مِنْهُ فَمَا تَأْمُرُنِي بِهِ فَقَالَ " إِنْ شِئْتَ حَبَسْتَ أَصْلَهَا وَتَصَدَّقْتَ بِهَا " . قَالَ فَعَمِلَ بِهَا عُمَرُ عَلَى أَنْ لاَ يُبَاعَ أَصْلُهَا وَلاَ يُوهَبَ وَلاَ يُورَثَ تَصَدَّقَ بِهَا لِلْفُقَرَاءِ وَفِي الْقُرْبَى وَفِي الرِّقَابِ وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ وَالضَّيْفِ لاَ جُنَاحَ عَلَى مَنْ وَلِيَهَا أَنْ يَأْكُلَ مِنْهَا بِالْمَعْرُوفِ أَوْ يُطْعِمَ صَدِيقًا غَيْرَ مُتَمَوِّلٍ .
It was narrated that Ibn 'Umar said:
“Umar bin Khattab acquired some land at Khaibar, and he came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and consulted him. He said: 'O Messenger of Allah(ﷺ), I have been given some wealth at Khaibar and I have never been given any wealth that is more precious to me than it. What do you command me to do with it? He said: 'If you wish, you can make it an endowment and give (its produce) in charity.' So 'Umar gave it on the basis that it would not be sold, given away or inherited, and (its produce) was to be given to the poor, to relatives, for freeing slaves, in the cause of Allah, to way fares and to guests; and there was nothing wrong if a person appointed to be in charge of it consumed from it on a reasonable basis or feeding a fried, without accumulating it for himself.”
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو أَنَّ رَجُلًا جَاءَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ إِنِّي أَنْزِعُ فِي حَوْضِي حَتَّى إِذَا مَلَأْتُهُ لِأَهْلِي وَرَدَ عَلَيَّ الْبَعِيرُ لِغَيْرِي فَسَقَيْتُهُ فَهَلْ لِي فِي ذَلِكَ مِنْ أَجْرٍ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي كُلِّ ذَاتِ كَبِدٍ حَرَّى أَجْرٌ
Abdullah ibn Amr reported: A man came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, saying, “I draw water from my basin until I fill it for my family, and then a camel belonging to someone else comes to me and I give it water to drink. Do I have a reward for this?” The Prophet said, “In every living being with a warm liver is a reward for charity.”
عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، قَالَ جَاءَ رَجُلٌ بِنَاقَةٍ مَخْطُومَةٍ فَقَالَ هَذِهِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " لَكَ بِهَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ سَبْعُمِائَةِ نَاقِةٍ كُلُّهَا مَخْطُومَةٌ " .
It has been narrated on the authority of Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari who said A man brought a muzzled she-camel and said:
It is (offered) in the way of Allah. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: For this you will have seven hundred she-camels on the Day of Judgment all of which will be muzzled.
عَنْ مُطَرِّفٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ أَتَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُوَ يَقْرَأُ { أَلْهَاكُمُ التَّكَاثُرُ} قَالَ " يَقُولُ ابْنُ آدَمَ مَالِي مَالِي - قَالَ - وَهَلْ لَكَ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ مِنْ مَالِكَ إِلاَّ مَا أَكَلْتَ فَأَفْنَيْتَ أَوْ لَبِسْتَ فَأَبْلَيْتَ أَوْ تَصَدَّقْتَ فَأَمْضَيْتَ " .
Mutarrif reported on the authority of his father:
I came to Allah's Apostle (ﷺ) as he was reciting:" Abundance diverts you" (cii. 1). He said: The son of Adam claims: My wealth, my wealth. And he (the Holy Prophet) said: O son of Adam. is there anything as your belonging except that which you consumed, which you utilised, or which you wore and then it was worn out or you gave as charity and sent it forward?
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " يَقُولُ الْعَبْدُ مَالِي مَالِي إِنَّمَا لَهُ مِنْ مَالِهِ ثَلاَثٌ مَا أَكَلَ فَأَفْنَى أَوْ لَبِسَ فَأَبْلَى أَوْ أَعْطَى فَاقْتَنَى وَمَا سِوَى ذَلِكَ فَهُوَ ذَاهِبٌ وَتَارِكُهُ لِلنَّاسِ " .
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:
A servant says, My wealth. my wealth, but out of his wealth three things are only his: whatever he eats and makes use of or by means of which he dresses himself and it wears out or he gives as charity, and this is what he stored for himself (as a reward for the Hereafter), and what is beyond this (it is of no use to you) because you are to depart and leave it for other people.
عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لَوْ أَنَّ لاِبْنِ آدَمَ وَادِيًا مِنْ ذَهَبٍ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ وَادِيَانِ، وَلَنْ يَمْلأَ فَاهُ إِلاَّ التُّرَابُ، وَيَتُوبُ اللَّهُ عَلَى مَنْ تَابَ " .
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "If Adam's son had a valley full of gold, he would like to have two valleys, for nothing fills his mouth except dust. And Allah forgives him who repents to Him."
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " قَالَ اللَّهُ أَنْفِقْ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ أُنْفِقْ عَلَيْكَ ".
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah said, 'O son of Adam! Spend, and I shall spend on you."
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " يَدُ اللَّهِ مَلأَى لاَ يَغِيضُهَا نَفَقَةٌ، سَحَّاءُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ ـ وَقَالَ ـ أَرَأَيْتُمْ مَا أَنْفَقَ مُنْذُ خَلَقَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ، فَإِنَّهُ لَمْ يَغِضْ مَا فِي يَدِهِ ـ وَقَالَ ـ عَرْشُهُ عَلَى الْمَاءِ وَبِيَدِهِ الأُخْرَى الْمِيزَانُ يَخْفِضُ وَيَرْفَعُ ".
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah's Hand is full, and (its fullness) is not affected by the continuous spending, day and night." He also said, "Do you see what He has spent since He created the Heavens and the Earth? Yet all that has not decreased what is in His Hand." He also said, "His Throne is over the water and in His other Hand is the balance (of Justice) and He raises and lowers (whomever He will)." (See Hadith No. 206, Vol. 6)
عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِذَا أَنْفَقَ الْمُسْلِمُ نَفَقَةً عَلَى أَهْلِهِ وَهْوَ يَحْتَسِبُهَا، كَانَتْ لَهُ صَدَقَةً ".
Narrated Abu Mas`ud Al-Ansari:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When a Muslim spends something on his family intending to receive Allah's reward it is regarded as Sadaqa for him."
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَىُّ الصَّدَقَةِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ " جُهْدُ الْمُقِلِّ وَابْدَأْ بِمَنْ تَعُولُ " .
Abu Hurairah reported I asked Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), What kind of sadaqah is most excellent? He replied What a man with little property can afford to give; and begin with those for whom you are responsible.
عَنْ جَدَّتِهِ أُمِّ بُجَيْدٍ، - وَكَانَتْ مِمَّنْ بَايَعَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم - أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ الْمِسْكِينَ لَيَقُومُ عَلَى بَابِي فَمَا أَجِدُ لَهُ شَيْئًا أُعْطِيهِ إِيَّاهُ . فَقَالَ لَهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنْ لَمْ تَجِدِي شَيْئًا تُعْطِينَهُ إِيَّاهُ إِلاَّ ظِلْفًا مُحْرَقًا فَادْفَعِيهِ إِلَيْهِ فِي يَدِهِ " .
Abdur-Rahman bin Bujaid narrated from his grandmother; :
Umm Bujaid - and she was one of those who gave the pledge to the Prophet - she said to the Messenger of Allah: "There is a needy person who stands outside my door, but I cannot find anything to give to him." So the Messenger of Allah said to her: "If you do not find anything to give him except a burnt trotter then hand it over to him."
قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَيُّكُمْ مَالُ وَارِثِهِ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ مَالِهِ ". قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ مَا مِنَّا أَحَدٌ إِلاَّ مَالُهُ أَحَبُّ إِلَيْهِ. قَالَ " فَإِنَّ مَالَهُ مَا قَدَّمَ، وَمَالُ وَارِثِهِ مَا أَخَّرَ ".
Narrated `Abdullah:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Who among you considers the wealth of his heirs dearer to him than his own wealth?" They replied, "O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)! There is none among us but loves his own wealth more." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "So his wealth is whatever he spends (in Allah's Cause) during his life (on good deeds) while the wealth of his heirs is whatever he leaves after his death."
عَنْ خُرَيْمِ بْنِ فَاتِكٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ أَنْفَقَ نَفَقَةً فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كُتِبَتْ لَهُ بِسَبْعِمِائَةِ ضِعْفٍ " .
Narrated Khuraim bin Fatik:
That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever spends a sum in the cause of Allah, it is recorded for him seven-hundred fold."
عَنْ صَعْصَعَةَ بْنِ مُعَاوِيَةَ، قَالَ لَقِيتُ أَبَا ذَرٍّ قَالَ قُلْتُ حَدِّثْنِي . قَالَ نَعَمْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَا مِنْ عَبْدٍ مُسْلِمٍ يُنْفِقُ مِنْ كُلِّ مَالٍ لَهُ زَوْجَيْنِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ إِلاَّ اسْتَقْبَلَتْهُ حَجَبَةُ الْجَنَّةِ كُلُّهُمْ يَدْعُوهُ إِلَى مَا عِنْدَهُ " . قُلْتُ وَكَيْفَ ذَلِكَ قَالَ " إِنْ كَانَتْ إِبِلاً فَبَعِيرَيْنِ وَإِنْ كَانَتْ بَقَرًا فَبَقَرَتَيْنِ " .
It was narrated that Sa'sa'ah bin Mu'awiyah said:
"I met Abu Dharr and said: 'Tell me a Hadith.' He said. Yes, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: There is no Muslim worshiper who spends from each type of his wealth on a pair (of things) in the cause of Allah, but the keepers of Paradise will welcome him, all of them calling him to what they have (of reward).' I said: "How is that?" He said: "If it is camels, he gives two, and if it is cows, he gives two.'"
عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ، قَالَ انْتَهَيْتُ إِلَيْهِ وَهُوَ يَقُولُ فِي ظِلِّ الْكَعْبَةِ " هُمُ الأَخْسَرُونَ وَرَبِّ الْكَعْبَةِ، هُمُ الأَخْسَرُونَ وَرَبِّ الْكَعْبَةِ " قُلْتُ مَا شَأْنِي أَيُرَى فِيَّ شَىْءٌ مَا شَأْنِي فَجَلَسْتُ إِلَيْهِ وَهْوَ يَقُولُ، فَمَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَنْ أَسْكُتَ، وَتَغَشَّانِي مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ، فَقُلْتُ مَنْ هُمْ بِأَبِي أَنْتَ وَأُمِّي يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ " الأَكْثَرُونَ أَمْوَالاً، إِلاَّ مَنْ قَالَ هَكَذَا وَهَكَذَا وَهَكَذَا ".
Narrated Abu Dhar:
I reached him (the Prophet (ﷺ) ) while in the shade of the Ka`ba; he was saying, "They are the losers, by the Lord of the Ka`ba! They are the losers, by the Lord of the Ka`ba!" I said (to myself ), "What is wrong with me? Is anything improper detected in me? What is wrong with me? Then I sat beside him and he kept on saying his statement. I could not remain quiet, and Allah knows in what sorrowful state I was at that time. So I said, ' Who are they (the losers)? Let My father and mother be sacrificed for you, O Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)!" He said, "They are the wealthy people, except the one who does like this and like this and like this (i.e., spends of his wealth in Allah's Cause).
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيُرَبِّي لِأَحَدِكُمُ التَّمْرَةَ وَاللُّقْمَةَ كَمَا يُرَبِّي أَحَدُكُمْ فَلُوَّهُ أَوْ فَصِيلَهُ حَتَّى يَكُونَ مِثْلَ أُحُدٍ
Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, Allah will raise up a date or a morsel in charity, just as one of you raises his mare or his young, until it becomes like the mountain of Uhud.”
عَنْ عَوْفِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ دَخَلَ عَلَيْنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْمَسْجِدَ وَبِيَدِهِ عَصًا وَقَدْ عَلَّقَ رَجُلٌ مِنَّا قِنًا حَشَفًا فَطَعَنَ بِالْعَصَا فِي ذَلِكَ الْقِنْوِ وَقَالَ " لَوْ شَاءَ رَبُّ هَذِهِ الصَّدَقَةِ تَصَدَّقَ بِأَطْيَبَ مِنْهَا " . وَقَالَ " إِنَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الصَّدَقَةِ يَأْكُلُ الْحَشَفَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ " .
Narrated Awf ibn Malik:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) entered upon us in the mosque, and he had a stick in his hand. A man hung there a bunch of hashaf. He struck the bunch with the stick, and said: If the owner of this sadaqah (alms) wishes to give a better one than it, he would give. The owner of this sadaqah will eat hashaf on the Day of Judgment.
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " سَبَقَ دِرْهَمٌ مِائَةَ أَلْفٍ " . قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَكَيْفَ قَالَ " رَجُلٌ لَهُ دِرْهَمَانِ فَأَخَذَ أَحَدَهُمَا فَتَصَدَّقَ بِهِ وَرَجُلٌ لَهُ مَالٌ كَثِيرٌ فَأَخَذَ مِنْ عُرْضِ مَالِهِ مِائَةَ أَلْفٍ فَتَصَدَّقَ بِهَا " .
It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said:
"The Messenger of Allah said: 'A Dirham was better than a hundred thousand Dirhams.' They said: 'O Messenger of Allah, how?' He said: 'A man had two Dirhams and gave one in charity, and another man went to part of his wealth and took out a hundred thousand Dirhams and gave them in charity."'
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ دَخَلَ عَلَى بِلَالٍ فَوَجَدَ عِنْدَهُ صُبَرًا مِنْ تَمْرٍ فَقَالَ مَا هَذَا يَا بِلَالُ فَقَالَ تَمْرًا ادَّخَرْتَهُ لَكَ فَقَالَ وَيْحَكَ يَا بِلَالُ أَمَا تَخَافُ أَنْ يَكُونَ لَهُ بُخَارٌ فِي النَّارِ أَنْفِقْ يَا بِلَالُ وَلَا تَخْشَ مِنْ ذِي الْعَرْشِ إقْلَالًا
Abu Huraira reported:
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, entered the room of Bilal and he found a pile of dates with him. The Prophet said, “What is this, O Bilal?” Bilal said, “They are dates I have stored for you.” The Prophet said, “Woe to you, O Bilal! Are you not afraid they will become your fumes in the Hellfire? Spend them in charity, O Bilal, and do not fear that the One upon the Throne will leave you bereft.”
عَنْ حَكِيمِ بْنِ حِزَامٍ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " الْيَدُ الْعُلْيَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْيَدِ السُّفْلَى، وَابْدَأْ بِمَنْ تَعُولُ، وَخَيْرُ الصَّدَقَةِ عَنْ ظَهْرِ غِنًى، وَمَنْ يَسْتَعْفِفْ يُعِفَّهُ اللَّهُ، وَمَنْ يَسْتَغْنِ يُغْنِهِ اللَّهُ " .
Narrated Hakim bin Hizam:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The upper hand is better than the lower hand (i.e. he who gives in charity is better than him who takes it). One should start giving first to his dependents. And the best object of charity is that which is given by a wealthy person (from the money which is left after his expenses). And whoever abstains from asking others for some financial help, Allah will give him and save him from asking others, Allah will make him self-sufficient."
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، رضى الله عنها أَنَّ بَعْضَ، أَزْوَاجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قُلْنَ لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَيُّنَا أَسْرَعُ بِكَ لُحُوقًا قَالَ " أَطْوَلُكُنَّ يَدًا ". فَأَخَذُوا قَصَبَةً يَذْرَعُونَهَا، فَكَانَتْ سَوْدَةُ أَطْوَلَهُنَّ يَدًا، فَعَلِمْنَا بَعْدُ أَنَّمَا كَانَتْ طُولَ يَدِهَا الصَّدَقَةُ، وَكَانَتْ أَسْرَعَنَا لُحُوقًا بِهِ وَكَانَتْ تُحِبُّ الصَّدَقَةَ.
Narrated `Aisha:
Some of the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ) asked him, "Who amongst us will be the first to follow you (i.e. die after you)?" He said, "Whoever has the longest hand." So they started measuring their hands with a stick and Sauda's hand turned out to be the longest. (When Zainab bint Jahsh died first of all in the caliphate of `Umar), we came to know that the long hand was a symbol of practicing charity, so she was the first to follow the Prophet (ﷺ) and she used to love to practice charity. (Sauda died later in the caliphate of Muawiya).
عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ كُفُّ شَرَّكَ عَنِ النَّاسِ فَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ مِنْكَ عَلَى نَفْسِكَ
Abu Dharr reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Refrain from harming people, for it is your charity due upon yourself.”
عَنْ أَبِي، ذَرٍّ أَنَّ نَاسًا، مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالُوا لِلنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ذَهَبَ أَهْلُ الدُّثُورِ بِالأُجُورِ يُصَلُّونَ كَمَا نُصَلِّي وَيَصُومُونَ كَمَا نَصُومُ وَيَتَصَدَّقُونَ بِفُضُولِ أَمْوَالِهِمْ . قَالَ " أَوَلَيْسَ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ مَا تَصَّدَّقُونَ إِنَّ بِكُلِّ تَسْبِيحَةٍ صَدَقَةً وَكُلِّ تَكْبِيرَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَكُلِّ تَحْمِيدَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَكُلِّ تَهْلِيلَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَأَمْرٌ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ صَدَقَةٌ وَنَهْىٌ عَنْ مُنْكَرٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَفِي بُضْعِ أَحَدِكُمْ صَدَقَةٌ " . قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَيَأْتِي أَحَدُنَا شَهْوَتَهُ وَيَكُونُ لَهُ فِيهَا أَجْرٌ قَالَ " أَرَأَيْتُمْ لَوْ وَضَعَهَا فِي حَرَامٍ أَكَانَ عَلَيْهِ فِيهَا وِزْرٌ فَكَذَلِكَ إِذَا وَضَعَهَا فِي الْحَلاَلِ كَانَ لَهُ أَجْرٌ " .
Abu Dharr reported:
some of the people from among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to him: Messenger of Allah, the rich have taken away (all the) reward. They observe prayer as we do; they keep the fasts as we keep, and they give Sadaqa out of their surplus riches. Upon this he (the Holy Prophet) said: Has Allah not prescribed for you (a course) by following which you can (also) do sadaqa? In every declaration of the glorification of Allah (i. e. saying Subhan Allah) there is a Sadaqa, and every Takbir (i. e. saying Allah-O-Akbar) is a sadaqa, and every praise of His (saying al-Hamdu Lillah) is a Sadaqa and every declaration that He is One (La illha ill-Allah) is a sadaqa, and enjoining of good is a sadaqa, and forbidding of that which is evil is a Sadaqa, and in man's sexual Intercourse (with his wife, ) there is a Sadaqa. They (the Companions) said: Messenger of Allah, is there reward for him who satisfies his sexual passion among us? He said: Tell me, if he were to devote it to something forbidden, would it not be a sin on his part? Similarly, if he were to devote it to something lawful, he should have a reward.
عَنْ أَبِي وَاقِدٍ اللَّيْثِيِّ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِنَّ اللهَ قَالَ إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَا الْمَالَ لِإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ وَلَوْ كَانَ لِابْنِ آدَمَ وَادٍ لَأَحَبَّ أَنْ يَكُونَ إِلَيْهِ ثَانٍ وَلَوْ كَانَ لَهُ وَادِيَانِ لَأَحَبَّ أَنْ يَكُونَ إِلَيْهِمَا ثَالِثٌ وَلَا يَمْلَأُ جَوْفَ ابْنِ آدَمَ إِلَّا التُّرَابُ ثُمَّ يَتُوبُ اللهُ عَلَى مَنْ تَابَ
Abu Waqid reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Allah said: Verily, We have sent down wealth for the performance of prayer and offering charity. If the son of Adam owned a valley, he would like to have a second. If he had two valleys, he would like to add a third. Nothing satisfies the belly of the son of Adam but the dust of the grave, yet Allah will relent to whoever repents.”
عن الْقَاسِم بْن مُخَيْمِرَة قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَنِ اكْتَسَبَ مَالًا مِنْ مَأْثَمٍ فَوَصَلَ بِهِ رَحِمًا أَوْ تَصَدَّقَ بِهِ أَوْ أَنْفَقَهُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ جُمِعَ ذَلِكَ جَمْعًا فَقُذِفَ بِهِ فِي جَهَنَّمَ
Al-Qasim ibn Mukhaymirah reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever acquires wealth by sinning to serve his family, or give in charity, or spend in the way of Allah, then Allah will gather all of it together and cast it into Hell.”
عَنْ عَبْد اللَّهِ الْهَوْزَنِي قَالَ لَقِيتُ بِلَالًا مُؤَذِّنَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِحَلَبَ فَقُلْتُ يَا بِلَالُ حَدِّثْنِي كَيْفَ كَانَتْ نَفَقَةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ مَا كَانَ لَهُ شَيْءٌ كُنْتُ أَنَا الَّذِي أَلِي ذَلِكَ مِنْهُ مُنْذُ بَعَثَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَى أَنْ تُوُفِّيَ وَكَانَ إِذَا أَتَاهُ الْإِنْسَانُ مُسْلِمًا فَرَآهُ عَارِيًا يَأْمُرُنِي فَأَنْطَلِقُ فَأَسْتَقْرِضُ فَأَشْتَرِي لَهُ الْبُرْدَةَ فَأَكْسُوهُ وَأُطْعِمُهُ
Narrated Abdullah al-Hawzani:
I met Bilal, the Mu'adhdhin of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) at Aleppo, and said: Bilal, tell me, what was the financial position of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)?
He said: He had nothing. It was I who managed it on his behalf since the day Allah made him Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) until he died. When a Muslim man came to him and he found him naked, he ordered me (to clothe him). I would go, borrow (some money), and purchase a cloak for him. I would then clothe him and feed him.
عَن أَنَسٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ اتَّقُوا النَّارَ وَلَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَةٍ
Anas reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Protect yourself against the Hellfire, even with half of a date in charity.”
Statements of the Salaf
أقوال السلفIt reached me that Allah Almighty revealed to Abraham, upon him be peace: Do you know why I have taken you as an intimate friend? It is because you give to people and take nothing in return.
Source: Ḥilyat al-Awliyāʾ 8/242
عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرِ بْنِ حَفْصٍ قَالَ كَانَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ رضي الله عنه لَا يَحْبِسُ عَنْ طَعَامِهِ بَيْنَ مَكَّةَ وَالْمَدِينَةِ مَجْذُومًا وَلَا أَبْرَصَ وَلَا مُبْتَلًى حَتَّى يَقْعُدُوا مَعَهُ عَلَى مَائِدَتِهِ
Abu Bakr ibn Hafs reported: Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, while travelling between Mecca and Medina would not withhold his food from a leper, nor an outcast, nor anyone afflicted, even letting them sit with him at his table.
It is part of charity to learn sacred knowledge, and then teach it to the people.
Source: Sharḥ Madhāhib Ahl al-Sunnah 1/53
وَكَانَ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَسْخَى النَّاسِ لَا يَبِيتُ عِنْدَهُ دِينَارٌ وَلَا دِرْهَمٌ وَإِنْ فَضَلَ شَيْءٌ وَلَمْ يَجِدْ مَنْ يُعْطِيهِ وَفَجَأَهُ اللَّيْلُ لَمْ يَأْوِ إِلَى مَنْزِلِهِ حَتَّى يَتَبَرَّأَ مِنْهُ إِلَى مَنْ يَحْتَاجُ إِلَيْهِ
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was the most generous of people. He would not pass the night if he had a gold or silver coin with him. If he had any surplus and he could find no one to give it to and nighttime suddenly arrived, he would not retire to his house until he donated it to whoever needed it.
Source: al-Ghazālī, Iḥyāʾ ʿUlūm al-Dīn 2/360