On the Excellence of Almsgiving
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Of a dinar which thou hast spent in the way of God, and a dinar which thou hast spent in freeing a slave, and a dinar which thou hast spent in giving alms to the poor, and a dinar which thou hast spent on thy family, the greatest of them all, in point of reward, is that which thou hast spent on thy family."'—Muslim.
It is related from Maimunah bintuʾl-Ḥárith that, 'She emancipated a slave-girl in the time of the Apostle of God, and mentioned that to the Apostle of God. He replied, "If thou hadst given her to thy maternal uncles, thy reward would have been greater."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'A man came to the Prophet and said, "I have a dinar." He replied, "Then spend it on thyself." He said, "I have another." He replied, "Then spend it on thy child." He said, "I have another." He replied, "Then spend it on thy family." He said, "I have another." He replied, "Then spend it on thy servant." He said, "I have another." He replied, "Thou knowest best."'—Abú Dáud, An Nasái.
It is related from Ibn ʿOmar that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Give protection to him who asks protection of thee in the name of God, and give to him who asks alms of thee in the name of God, accept the invitation of him who invites thee, and recompense him who does thee a favour; but if thou hast not wherewith to recompense him, then pray for him until thou consider thou hast recompensed him."'—Aḥmad, Abú Dáud, An Nasái.
It is related from Anas that he said, ʿAbú Ṭalḥaḥ was the richest of all the helpers in Madína in date trees; and the most treasured of his possessions was Bairḥáʾa (a garden) facing the mosque. And the Apostle of God used to enter it and drink from the excellent water therein. And when this verse descended, "Ye will never attain unto righteousness until ye spend in alms of what ye love,[1]" Abú Ṭalḥaḥ rose up and said to the Apostle of God, "O Apostle of God, verily God most High says, 'Ye will never attain unto righteousness until
- ↑ Qurʾán. Súratu Áli ʿImrán (iii) 92.
