Voluntary Charity
40 hadiths
Charity does not diminish wealth, and Allah does not increase a servant, on account of his forgiveness, except in honor, and no one humbles himself seeking the pleasure of Allah except that Allah will elevate him
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Charity does not diminish wealth, and Allah does not increase a servant, on account of his forgiveness, except in honor, and no one humbles himself seeking the pleasure of Allah except that Allah will elevate him."
Allah said: 'O son of Adam, spend, and I will spend on you.'
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah said: 'O son of Adam, spend, and I will spend on you.'"
There is no day wherein the slaves reach the morning except that two angels descend. One of them says: O Allah, give the spender compensation; whereas the other one says: O Allah, give the withholder damage
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There is no day wherein the slaves reach the morning except that two angels descend. One of them says: O Allah, give the spender compensation; whereas the other one says: O Allah, give the withholder damage."
He who gives in charity the value of a date which was lawfully earned, and Allah only accepts that which has been lawfully earned, then Allah will accept it with His right hand and nurture it for him, just as one of you nurtures his foal, until it becomes like a mountain
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "He who gives in charity the value of a date which was lawfully earned, and Allah only accepts that which has been lawfully earned, then Allah will accept it with His right hand and nurture it for him, just as one of you nurtures his foal, until it becomes like a mountain."
There is none among you except that Allah will speak to him, with no interpreter between Him and him
‘Adyy ibn Hātim (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There is none among you except that Allah will speak to him, with no interpreter between Him and him. He will look to his right and see nothing except what he has sent forth, and he will look to his left and see nothing except what he has sent forth. And he will look ahead of him and see nothing except Hellfire in front of him. So, protect yourselves from Hellfire even with half a date."
Actions are of six types and people are of four: two imperatives, one and its equal reward, one good deed with ten times as much reward, and one good deed with a seven-hundred-fold reward
Khuraym ibn Fātik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Actions are of six types and people are of four: two imperatives, one and its equal reward, one good deed with ten times as much reward, and one good deed with a seven-hundred-fold reward. As for the two imperatives, whoever dies while not associating anything with Allah will enter Paradise, and whoever dies while associating anything with Allah will enter Hellfire. As for one and its equal, if a person intends to do a good deed until it is felt in his heart and known to Allah, it will be recorded for him as a good deed; and if a person does a bad deed, it is recorded against him as a bad deed; whoever performs a good deed will have ten times as much in reward; and whoever spends in the way of Allah will have a good deed multiplied seven hundred times. As for people, some are in opulence in worldly life while in straits in the Hereafter; some are in straits in worldly life while in opulence in the Hereafter; some are in straits in worldly life and the Hereafter; and some are in opulence in worldly life and the Hereafter."
يا معشر النساء، تصدقن، فإني رأيتكن أكثر أهل النار
عن أبي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه، خرج رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في أضحى أو فطر إلى المصلى، ثم انصرف، فوعظ الناس، وأمرهم بالصدقة، فقال: «أيها الناس، تصدقوا»، فمَرَّ على النساء، فقال: «يا معشر النساء، تَصَدَّقْنَ، فإني رأيتُكُنَّ أكثرَ أهل النار» فقلن: وبم ذلك يا رسول الله؟ قال: «تُكثِرْنَ اللَّعنَ، وتَكْفُرْنَ العَشيرَ، ما رأيت من ناقصات عقل ودين، أذهب لِلُبِّ الرجل الحازم من إحداكن، يا معشر النساء» ثم انصرف، فلما صار إلى منزله، جاءت زينب، امرأة ابن مسعود، تستأذن عليه، فقيل: يا رسول الله، هذه زينب، فقال: «أيُّ الزيانب؟» فقيل: امرأة ابن مسعود، قال: «نعم، ائذنوا لها» فأذن لها، قالت: يا نبي الله، إنك أمرت اليوم بالصدقة، وكان عندي حلي لي، فأردت أن أتصدق به، فزعم ابن مسعود: أنه وولده أحق من تصدقتُ به عليهم، فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: «صدق ابن مسعود، زوجك وولدك أحق من تصدقتِ به عليهم».
O Messenger of Allah, ’Umm Sa‘d died. Which charity is the best?" He said: 'Water.' He said: So, he dug a well and said: "This is for ’Umm Sa‘d
Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubādah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he said: "O Messenger of Allah, ’Umm Sa‘d died. Which charity is the best?" He said: 'Water.' He said: So, he dug a well and said: "This is for ’Umm Sa‘d."
An honest Muslim storekeeper, who carries out the orders of his master and pays fully what he has been ordered to give with a good heart and pays to that person to whom he was ordered to pay, is regarded as one of the two charitable persons
Abu Mūsa al-Ash‘ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "An honest Muslim storekeeper, who carries out the orders of his master and pays fully what he has been ordered to give with a good heart and pays to that person to whom he was ordered to pay, is regarded as one of the two charitable persons."
Whoever takes care of daughters and treats them kindly, they will be a screen for him from Hellfire
‘Ā’ishah, the Mother of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with her) and wife of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) reported: A woman, along with her two daughters, came to me asking (for charity). She found that I had nothing except one date, so I gave it to her. She divided it between her two daughters, then she got up and left. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) then came in, and I informed him about this, and he remarked: "Whoever takes care of daughters and treats them kindly, they will be a screen for him from Hellfire."
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
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 upper hand is better than the lower hand
‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said while he was on the pulpit, mentioning charity and refraining from asking people: "The upper hand is better than the lower hand; the upper hand is the giving hand, and the lower hand is the begging hand."
His wealth is whatever he spends during his life, while the wealth of his heir is whatever he leaves after his death
‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Who among you considers the wealth of his heirs more beloved to him than his own wealth?" They replied: "O Messenger of Allah, there is no one among us except that he loves his own wealth more." He said: "His wealth is whatever he spends during his life (in good ways), while the wealth of his heir is whatever he leaves after his death."
There should be no envy except in two (cases): A man whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it in the right way, and a man whom Allah has given wisdom and he judges according to it and teaches it to others
Ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There should be no envy except in two (cases): A man whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it in the right way, and a man whom Allah has given wisdom and he judges according to it and teaches it to others." ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "There should be no envy except in two (cases): a man whom Allah has given (knowledge of) the Qur'an, and he recites it during the night and day, and a man whom Allah has given wealth, and he spends it during the night and day (in a rightful way).”
Which charity earns the greatest reward? He said: That you give charity when you are healthy and miserly, fearing poverty and hoping to become rich. Do not delay charity until your soul reaches up to the throat, and then you say: This is for so-and-so and this is for so-and-so. Lo, it has already come into the possession of so-and-so
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that a man came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and said: "O Messenger of Allah, which charity earns the greatest reward?" He said: "That you give charity when you are healthy and miserly, fearing poverty and hoping to become rich. Do not delay (charity) until your soul reaches up to the throat and you then say: 'This is for so-and-so, and this is for so-and-so.' Lo, it has already come into the possession of so-and-so."
For you, Yazīd, is (the reward for) what you intended, and for you, Ma‘in, is what you took
Ma‘in ibn Yazīd ibn al-Akhnas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: My father, Yazīd, took out some dinars for charity and kept them with a man in the mosque. I went and took them and brought them to him, and he said: "By Allah! It was not you whom I intended (to give these dinars to)." So I took the case to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) who said: "For you, Yazīd, is (the reward for) what you intended, and for you, Ma‘in, is what you took."
Eat, drink, wear clothes, and give charity without extravagance or pride
‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘Ās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Eat, drink, give charity, and wear clothes without extravagance or pride."
What is left of it (the sheep)? She replied: Nothing is left except its shoulder. He said: All of it is left except its shoulder
‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that they slaughtered a sheep, so the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked: “What is left of it?” She replied: “Nothing is left except its shoulder.” He said: “All of it is left except its shoulder.”
على كل مسلم صدقة
عن أبي موسى الأشعري رضي الله عنه مرفوعاً: «على كل مسلم صدقة» قال: أرأيت إن لم يجد؟ قال: «يعمل بيديه فينفع نفسه ويتصدق» قال: أرأيت إن لم يستطع؟ قال: «يُعِينُ ذا الحاجة المَلْهُوفَ» قال: أرأيت إن لم يستطع، قال: «يأمر بالمعروف أو الخير». قال: أرأيت إن لم يفعل؟ قال: «يُمسك عن الشر، فإنها صدقة».
Spend (in charity), and do not keep account, lest Allah keep account of you, and do not hoard, lest Allah hoard from you
Asmā' bint Abu Bakr As-Siddīq (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to me: "Do not withhold, lest Allah withhold from you." And in another narration: "Spend (in charity), and do not keep account, lest Allah keep account of you, and do not hoard, lest Allah hoard from you."
The example of a miser and a generous person is that of two men wearing two iron cloaks covering their breasts up to their collar bones
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The example of a miser and a generous person is that of two men wearing two iron cloaks covering their breasts up to their collar bones. Whenever the generous person gives something away, his iron cloak expands until it becomes so wide that it will cover his fingertips and obliterate his traces. But whenever the miser thinks of spending, every ring of the iron cloak sticks to its place (against his body) and he tries to expand it, but it does not expand.”
While we were on a journey with the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) a man came while riding a mount of his
Abu Sa‘īd al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: While we were on a journey with the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) a man came while riding a mount of his, and he began to look on the right and left. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The one who has an extra mount should hand it over to one who has no mount, and the one who possesses surplus provision should give it to the one who has no provision." He named various kinds of properties until we began to think that none of us had any right to anything surplus.
The best charity is that which is given out of richness. The upper hand is better than the lower hand, and let one of you start with those whom he is responsible to provide for
Abu Hurayrah (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 that which is given out of richness. The upper hand is better than the lower hand, and let one of you start with those whom he is responsible to provide for." (Then Abu Hurayrah said:) His wife says to him: "Spend on me." His Umm Walad (a slave woman impregnated by her owner, thereby bearing a child) says to him: "To whom will you leave me to rely on?" His slave says to him: "Feed me and employ me."
لما أُمِرنا بالصدقة كنا نتحامل، فجاء أبو عَقيل بنصف صاع، وجاء إنسان بأكثر منه
عن أبي مسعود قال: لما أُمِرنا بالصدقة كنا نتحامل، فجاء أبو عَقيل بنصف صاع، وجاء إنسان بأكثر منه، فقال المنافقون: إن الله لغني عن صدقة هذا، وما فعل هذا الآخر إلا رئاء، فنزلت: {الذين يلمزون المطوعين من المؤمنين في الصدقات، والذين لا يجدون إلا جهدهم} [التوبة: 79] الآية.
الأيدي ثلاثة
عن مالك بن نضلة قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "الأيدي ثلاثة: فيدُ الله العليا، ويدُ المعطي التي تليها، ويدُ السائل السفلى، فأعط الفضل، ولا تعجز عن نفسك".
كل امرئ في ظل صدقته حتى يُفصَل بين الناس
عن يزيد بن أبي حبيب أن أبا الخير حدثه أنه سمع عقبة بن عامر يقول: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: "كلُّ امرئٍ في ظِلِّ صدقته حتى يُفصَل بين الناس -أو قال: يُحكَم بين الناس-" قال يزيد: وكان أبو الخير لا يُخطِئُه يومٌ إلا تصدق فيه بشيء ولو كعكة أو بصلة أو كذا.
على كل مسلم صدقة
عن أبي موسى الأشعري قال: قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: «على كلِّ مسلمٍ صدقةٌ» قالوا: فإلم يجد؟ قال: «فيعمل بيديه، فينفع نفسه ويتصدق» قالوا: فإلم يستطع أو لم يفعل؟ قال: «فيعين ذا الحاجة الملهوف» قالوا: فإلم يفعل؟ قال: «فيأمر بالخير» أو قال: «بالمعروف» قال: فإلم يفعل؟ قال: «فيمسك عن الشرِّ، فإنه له صدقة».
سَبَقَ درهمٌ مائةَ ألفِ درهمٍ
عن أبي هريرة أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: «سَبَقَ درهمٌ مائةَ ألفِ درهمٍ» قالوا: وكيف؟ قال: «كان لرجل درهمان تصدق بأحدهما، وانطلق رجل إلى عُرْض ماله، فأخذ منه مائة ألف درهم فتصدق بها».
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا أَمَرَنا بالصدقة انطلق أحدُنا إلى السوق فيُحامِل
عن أبي مسعود الأنصاري رضي الله عنه قال: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا أَمَرَنا بالصدقة انطلق أحدُنا إلى السوق، فيُحامِل، فيصيب المد، وإن لبعضهم لمائة ألف. قال: ما نراه إلا نفسه.
جُهْدُ المُقِلِّ، وابدأ بمن تعول
عن أبي هريرة أنه قال: يا رسول الله، أي الصدقة أفضل؟ قال: "جُهْدُ المُقِلِّ، وابدأ بمن تَعُول".
إلم تجدي له شيئًا تعطيه إياه إلا ظلفًا محرقًا فادفعيه إليه في يده
عن أم بجيد، وكانت ممن بايع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، أنها قالت: يا رسول الله، إن المسكين ليقوم على بابي فما أجد له شيئًا أعطيه إياه، فقال لها رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: "إلم تجدي له شيئًا تعطيه إياه إلا ظِلْفًا مُحْرَقًا فادفعيه إليه في يده".
لا يَحِلُّ للمرأة أن تصوم وزوجها شاهد إلا بإذنه
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «لاَ يَحِلُّ لِلْمَرْأَةِ أَنْ تَصُومَ وَزَوْجُهَا شَاهِدٌ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ، وَلاَ تَأْذَنَ فِي بَيْتِهِ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِهِ، وَمَا أَنْفَقَتْ مِنْ نَفَقَةٍ عَنْ غَيْرِ أَمْرِهِ فَإِنَّهُ يُؤَدَّى إِلَيْهِ شَطْرُهُ».
أنا وكافل اليتيم في الجنة هكذا
عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «أَنَا وَكَافِلُ اليَتِيمِ فِي الجَنَّةِ هَكَذَا» وَقَالَ بِإِصْبَعَيْهِ السَّبَّابَةِ وَالوُسْطَى.
Well-done! That is a profitable deal! That is a profitable deal! I heard what you said: and I suggest that you give it to your nearest relatives
Anas ibn Mālik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that Abu Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) was the richest man among the Ansār in Madīnah, in terms of his ownership of date palms. And his most beloved property was (his date-palm garden known as) Bayrahā’. It was opposite the mosque, and the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) often entered it and drank from its fresh water. When this verse was revealed: {Never will you attain the good (reward) until you spend (in the way of Allah) from that which you love} [Sūrat Āl-‘Imrān: 92], Abu Talhah came to the Messenger of Allah and said: "O Messenger of Allah, Allah revealed to you {Never will you attain the good (reward) until you spend (in the way of Allah) from that which you love}, and my most beloved possession is Bayrahā’. I have given it in charity in the way of Allah, hoping to earn its reward from Him, so spend it, O Messenger of Allah, as Allah shows you." The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Well-done! That is a profitable deal! That is a profitable deal! I heard what you said: and I suggest that you give it to your nearest relatives." So Abu Talhah said: "I shall do that, O Messenger of Allah", and he distributed it amongst his closest relatives and his paternal cousins.
While a man was walking through a barren land, he heard a voice coming out of a cloud
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "While a man was walking through a barren land, he heard a voice coming out of a cloud, saying: 'Irrigate the garden of so-and- so.' Thereupon, the cloud drifted in a certain direction and discharged its water over a rocky plain. The streamlets flowed into a channel. This man followed the channel until it reached a garden and he saw the owner of the garden standing in its center, working with his spade to change the course of the water. He asked him: ‘O slave of Allah, what is your name?’ He told his name, which was the same that he heard from the cloud. The owner of the garden then asked him: ‘O slave of Allah, why did you ask my name?’ He replied: ‘I heard a voice from a cloud which poured down this water, saying: "Irrigate the garden of so-and-so." I would like to know what you do with it.’ He said: ‘Now that you asked me, I will tell you. I estimate the produce of the garden and distribute one-third of it in charity, spend one-third on myself and my family, and invest one-third back into the garden.’”
A man said: Indeed, I will give in charity. So he took his charity out and placed it in a thief's hand. Next morning, people were saying: Charity was given to a thief
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A man said: 'Indeed, I will give in charity.' So he took his charity out and placed it in a thief's hand. Next morning, people were saying: 'Charity was given to a thief.' The man said: 'O Allah, praise be to You. Indeed, I will give in charity!' So he took his charity out and placed it in a prostitute's hand. Next morning, they were saying: 'Charity was given to a prostitute last night.' So the man said: 'O Allah, praise be to You concerning the prostitute. Indeed, I will give in charity!' So he took his charity out and placed it in a rich man's hand. Next morning, they were saying: 'Charity was given to a rich man.' The man said: 'O Allah, praise be to You concerning the thief, the prostitute, and the rich man.' Then he was approached and told: 'As for your charity to a thief, he might refrain from theft. As for the prostitute, she might abstain from fornication. As for the rich man, he might take a lesson and spend from the wealth that Allah has given him.'"
يا معشر التجار، إن البيع يحضره اللغو والحلف، فشوبوه بالصدقة
عَنْ قَيْسِ بْنِ أَبِي غَرَزَةَ قَالَ: كُنَّا فِي عَهْدِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ نُسَمَّى السَّمَاسِرَةَ، فَمَرَّ بِنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، فَسَمَّانَا بِاسْمٍ هُوَ أَحْسَنُ مِنْهُ، فَقَالَ: «يَا مَعْشَرَ التُّجَّارِ، إِنَّ الْبَيْعَ يَحْضُرُهُ اللَّغْوُ وَالْحَلْفُ، فَشُوبُوهُ بِالصَّدَقَةِ».
You will receive seven hundred she-camels in return for it on the Day of Resurrection, all wearing bridles
Abu Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that a man came to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) with a she-camel wearing a bridle and said: "This is (a donation) in the cause of Allah." The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "You will receive seven hundred she-camels in return for it on the Day of Resurrection, all wearing bridles."
Has Allah not provided for you that which you can give as charity? Every Tasbīh (saying: Glory be to Allah) is charity; every Takbīr (saying: Allah is the Greatest) is charity; every Tahmīd (saying: Praise be to Allah) is charity; and every Tahlīl (saying: There is no God but Allah) is charity. Enjoining good is charity, forbidding evil is charity, and even in fulfilling the sexual desire of one of you there is charity
Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Some of the Companions of the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said to the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him): O Messenger of Allah, the wealthy have taken all the rewards. They pray as we pray, fast as we fast, and give charity from their surplus wealth. He said: "Has Allah not provided for you that which you can give as charity? Every Tasbīh (saying: Glory be to Allah) is charity; every Takbīr (saying: Allah is the Greatest) is charity; every Tahmīd (saying: Praise be to Allah) is charity; and every Tahlīl (saying: There is no God but Allah) is charity. Enjoining good is charity, forbidding evil is charity, and even in fulfilling the sexual desire of one of you there is charity." They said: O Messenger of Allah, does one of us fulfill his desire and get rewarded for it? He said: "Do you not see that if he were to fulfill it in a forbidden way, would he incur a sin? Similarly, if he fulfills it lawfully, he will have a reward."
A dinar you spent in the cause of Allah, a dinar you spent on a slave, a dinar you gave in charity to a needy person, and a dinar you spent on your family; the greatest in reward is the one you spent on your family
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) said: "A dinar you spent in the cause of Allah, a dinar you spent on a slave, a dinar you gave in charity to a needy person, and a dinar you spent on your family; the greatest in reward is the one you spent on your family."