Abu Umāmah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The best charity is providing the shade of a tent in the cause of Allah, or providing a servant for one who strives in the cause of Allah, or providing a young she-camel for one striving in the cause of Allah."
The best type of charity one can give are these three things: the shade of a tent or canopy, a servant (as a gift or loan), or a young female camel that is ready for mating, whether this charity is given to those fighting in the cause of Allah or other people who are needy. Giving charity to the needy is also considered to be in the cause of Allah. Perhaps these things were specified because of people's need for them at that time, so the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) wished to encourage offering them. As to the current times, the people's need for these things is almost non-existent, or very limited in some places. This meaning is also found in the Hadīth reported by ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) where the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The people of a house without dates are hungry" [Muslim]. Sheikh Ibn Bāz (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: "This Hadīth is intended to mean the people who eat dates often, such as the people of Madīnah in his time (the time of the Prophet), and any people like them whose diet depends on dates."