Selections from Muḥammadan Traditions/Chapter 6
VI
THE BOOK OF ALMS
It is related from Ibn ʿAbbás that, 'The Apostle of God sent Muʿádh to Yemen and said, "Verily thou art coming to a community of the People of the Book (i.e.. Jews and Christians), therefore call on them to bear witness that there is no God but Alláh and that Muḥammad is the Apostle of Alláh. And if they agree to that, then teach them that God has made obligatory on them five prayers in the day and night; and if they submit to that, then teach them that God has made obligatory for them the giving of alms, to be taken from the rich among them and given to their poor; and if they submit to that, then beware and refrain from taking the best of their property, and be on thy guard against the complaints of the oppressed, for verily there is no veil between them and God."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Huratrah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "He to whom God has given wealth and does not give alms thereof, his wealth on the day of resurrection will be changed into the form of a serpent, having two black spots over its eyes, which will be hung like a necklace around his neck. Then on the day of resurrection it will seize him by the jaws, and after that will say, 'I am thy property. I am thy treasure.'" Then the Prophet repeated the verse, "And let not those who are niggard of what God hath vouchsafed them in His bounty (imagine that their avarice is better for them; nay, rather, it is worse for them[1])."'—Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Jábir bin ʿAbduʾlláh that he said, 'Some people of the desert Arabs came to the Apostle of God and said, "Verily some people of those who collect the alms come to us and oppress us." He replied, "Satisfy your collectors of alms." They said, "O Apostle of God, although they oppress us?" He replied, "Satisfy your collectors of alms, even though you are oppressed."'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from ʿAmru bin Shuʿaib from his father, from his grandfather that, 'The Prophet addressed the people and said, "Are there those among you who are guardians of orphans who possess property? Then let them trade therewith, and not leave it (uninvested), so that the alms due on it do not swallow it up."'—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that he said, 'When the Prophet died and Abú Bakr succeeded him as Khalífa, and certain of the Arabs became infidels, ʿOmar binuʾl-Khaṭṭáb said to Abú Bakr, "How is it that thou dost fight with the people when the Apostle of God has said, 'I was commanded to fight with the people until they say, "There is no God but Alláh," and whoever says, "There is no God but Alláh," makes his goods and his person safe from me, except what is due (as alms); and his account-is with God?'" Then Abu Bakr replied, "By God! I will certainly fight with those who make a distinction between prayers and alms; for alms are due from property. By God! if they had denied me a lamb, such as they used to give to the Prophet of God, I would certainly have fought with them because of such refusal." ʿOmar said, "By God! I saw nothing, except that God had opened the heart of Abú Bakr to fight. Then I knew it was right."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
Concerning the Things on which Alms are
Obligatory
It is related from Abú Saʿíduʾl-Khudri that, 'The Apostle of God said, "There are no alms required for less than five camel-loads of dates, and no alms are required for less than five uqiyas, (i.e. three hundred drams) of silver, and no alms are required for less than five camels."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "A Muslim is not obliged to give alms for his slave or his horse." And in another tradition it runs, "There is no alms for his slave, except the alms for the feast of the breaking the fast."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Muʿádh that he said, 'Verily the Prophet when he sent him to Yemen, commanded him to take one yearling heifer or bull from every thirty, and one full-grown cow from every forty.'—Abú Dáud, At Tirmidhí.
It is related from ʿÁyesha that she said, 'The Prophet used to send ʿAbduʾlláh bin Rawáḥah to the Jews, and he used to compute the dates when they became sweet, and before they were eaten from.'—Abu Dáud.
It is related from Zainab the wife of ʿAbduʾlláh that she said, 'The Apostle of God addressed us and said, "O assembly of women, give alms, although it be of your ornaments, for verily you will compose the majority of the inhabitants of hell on the day of resurrection."'—At Tirmidhí.
Concerning the Alms to be Given at the Festival of
the Breaking of the Fast
It is related from Ibn ʿOmar that he said, 'The Apostle of God made the alms obligatory for the feast of the breaking of the fast: a measure of dates, or a measure of barley to be given by a slave or a free man, a male or a female, the young and old of all Muslims; and he ordered that it should be given before coming out to the prayers.'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
Concerning Those for Whom Alms are Unlawful
It is related from ʿAbduʾl-Muṭṭalib bin Rabíʿah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Verily these alms are only the impurities of men, and they are not lawful for Muḥammad or the family of Muḥammad."'—Muslim.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that he said, 'When food was brought to the Apostle of God, he used to ask about it whether it was a present or alms. And if it was said, "It is alms," he would say to his companions, "You eat," but would not eat it himself. But if it was said, "It is a present," he would stretch out his hand and eat with them.'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin ʿOmar that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Alms are not lawful for the rich, nor for the strong and healthy."'—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from Zaid bin Aslam that he said, 'ʿOmar binuʾl-Khaṭṭáb drank some milk which delighted him, and he asked the one who gave him to drink, "Whence came this milk?" He informed him that he arrived at a watering-place, which he named, and (said he), "Behold some camels which had been given in alms; and they were watering them. And they milked some of them, so I placed it in my leathern bag, and that is the milk which thou hast drunk." Then ʿOmar put his hand into his mouth, and caused himself to vomit.'—Málik.
Concerning Those for Whom Begging is not Lawful,
and for Whom it is
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "He who begs from men their wealth in order to increase his own, only asks live coals, whether he ask little or much."'—Muslim.
It is related from Sahal binuʾl-Ḥanzaliyyah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "He who begs, when he has what makes him independent of it, is only asking for an increase of the fire." Al Nufail, who was one of the reporters of traditions, said, in another tradition, "What are the riches, having which it is not right to beg?" He replied, "That amount which suffices for the morning and evening meal." And he said in another place, "That he have enough to satisfy him for a day or a night and a day."'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from Anas that, 'A man of the helpers came to the Prophet to beg from him. He said, "Is there nothing in thy house?" The man said, "Yes, there is a blanket, with a part of it we cover ourselves, and a part of it we spread on the floor. And there is a large drinking-bowl from which we drink water." The Prophet said, "Bring them to me." Then he brought them. Then the Apostle of God took them in his hand and said, "Who will buy these two?" A man said, "I will take them for one dirham." He replied twice or thrice, "Who will give more than one dirham?" A man said, "I will take them for two dirhams." Then the Prophet gave them to him, and he took the two dirhams and gave them to the helper and said, "Buy with one of them food and give it to thy family, and with the other buy a hatchet and bring it to me." So he brought it to him. Then the Apostle of God fitted a handle to it with his own hands, and after that said, "Go and cut firewood and sell it, and let me not see thee for fifteen days." So the man went to cut firewood and sell it. Then he came back to him, and he had gained ten dirhams, and with a portion of it he had bought clothes, and with a portion of it he bought food. Then the Apostle of God said to him, "This is better for thee than that thy begging should come on the day of resurrection as marks on thy face. Verily begging is not lawful except for three persons: a poor man who lives in miserable circumstances, or one who is excessively in debt, or one who has a bleeding sore."'—Abú Dáud.
On Spending and Being Niggardly
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "If I possessed gold equal to the mountain of ʿUḥud, it would delight me that nothing of it should remain with me after three nights had passed over me, except something I might keep for debt."'—Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "God most High has said, 'Spend, O son of Adam, and I will spend on thee.'"'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "The liberal man is near to God, near to paradise and near to men, and far removed from the fire; but the miser is far from God, far from paradise and far from men, and near the fire; and the ignorant (but) liberal man is more beloved of God than the miserly worshipper."'—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from Abú Saʿíd that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Verily that a man give one dirham in alms in his lifetime, is better for him than that he should give one hundred in alms at his death."'—Abú Dáud.
It is related from ʿÁyesha that, 'Some of the wives of the Prophet said to him, "Who of us will be quickest in joining thee (after death)?" The Prophet replied, "The one of you who has the longest arm." Then they took a rod and began to measure their arms, and Saudah had the longest arm of them all. But afterwards we came to know that the length of the arm signified almsgiving, and the quickest of us in joining the Prophet was Zainab, and she used to love almsgiving.'—Al Bukhárí.
It is related from a freed slave of ʿOthmán that he said, 'A present of a piece of meat was sent to Umm Salamah, and the meat was relished by the Prophet; and she said to a servant, "Put it in the house, perhaps the Prophet will eat it." So she placed it in a recess in the wall. And a beggar came and stood at the door and said, "Give me alms, and may God bless you." And they replied, "And may God bless thee." Then the beggar went away, and the Prophet entered and said, "O Umm Salamah, hast thou anything for me to eat?" She replied, "Yes," and said to the servant, "Go and bring the Apostle of God that meat." So she departed, but found nothing in the recess except a piece of stone. Then the Prophet said, "Verily that meat has turned to stone, because you did not give it to the beggar."—Al Baihaqi.
It is related from ʿÁyesha that she said, 'There were, during the illness of the Apostle of God, six or seven dinars belonging to him in my keeping. And the Apostle of God ordered me to distribute them. But the pain of the Prophet of God kept me busy. Afterwards he asked me about them as to what the six or seven dinars had accomplished. She said, "No by God! thy pain kept me busy." And he called for them and placed them in the palm of his hand and said, "What would the Prophet of God think if God, the Exalted and Magnified, met him whilst these were still with him?"—Aḥmad.
On Obligatory Alms
It is related from Abú Músáuʾl-Ashʿari that, 'The Apostle of God said, "Alms are obligatory on every Muslim." They said, "And if he has nothing?" He replied, "Then let him work with his hands, and gain something for himself, and give alms." They said, "And if he is not able to work, or has not done so?" He replied, "Then let him assist those who are in need and in distress." They said, "And if he does not do that?" He replied, "Then let him order people to do right." They said, "And if he does not do that?" He replied, "Then let him withhold himself from evil ; and verily that will be alms for him."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Anas that, 'The Apostle of God said, "There is no Muslim who plants a tree or sows a field, and men or birds or beasts eat therefrom, but it becomes alms for him."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí. And in another tradition from Muslim the words are added, 'And whatever is stolen from him will be counted as alms for him.'
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "An adulteress was for given (under the following circumstances): She passed by a dog at the entrance to a well. And its tongue was hanging out, and it was about to die from thirst. And she took off her shoe and tied it to her veil and let it down (to draw) water for it. And for that she was forgiven her sins." It was said, "Is there any reward for us (for doing good) to beasts?" He replied, "For every merciful woman there is a reward."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "'A man passed by the branch of a tree which overhung the road, and he said, 'I will remove this from the road of Muslims, so that it may not incommode them.' Then he was given entrance into paradise."—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Anas that, 'The Apostle of God said, 'Verily alms quench the Lord's anger, and put away an evil death."'—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from ʿAbduʾlláh bin Masʿúd, from the Apostle of God, that he said, 'There are three persons whom God loves: the man who rises at night to recite the Book of God; the man who gives alms with his right hand and, I think, he said, hiding it from his left; the man who, being in a band of soldiers, and his companions being put to flight, continues to face the enemy."'—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from Anas that, 'The Apostle of God said, "When God created the earth, it began to tremble, therefore He created the mountains and placed them upon it, and it became firm. And the angels were astonished at the strength of the mountains and said, 'O Lord, is there anything in Thy creation more powerful than the mountains?' He replied, 'Yes, iron.' They said, 'O Lord, is there anything in Thy creation more powerful than iron?' He replied, 'Yes, fire.' They said, 'O Lord, is there anything more powerful in Thy creation than fire?' He replied, 'Yes, water.' They said, 'O Lord, is there anything in Thy creation more powerful than water?' He replied, 'Yes, the wind.' They said, 'O Lord, is there anything in Thy creation more powerful than the wind?' He replied, 'Yes, the son of Adam who gives alms with his right hand, and hides it from his left.'"'—At Tirmidhí.
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,[2]" 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 ye spend in alms of what ye love,' and verily the most treasured of my possessions is Bairḥáʾa (the garden), therefore it is given in alms to God most High. I hope for the righteousness thereof, and its provision is with God, therefore, O Apostle of God, bestow it wherever God shows thee." The Apostle of God replied, "Well done! Well done! that is a profitable property. I have heard what thou hast said, and verily I see that the place to bestow it is with thy relations." Abú Ṭalḥaḥ said, "I shall do that, O Apostle of God." Then Abú Ṭalḥaḥ divided it amongst his relations and the sons of his paternal uncle.'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
On a Woman's Giving Alms from Her Husband's
Property
It is related from Abú Hurairah that, 'The Apostle of God said, "When a woman spends in alms from the earnings of her husband, without his orders, then he will get half its reward."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from ʿÁyesha that, 'A man said to the Prophet, "Verily my mother died suddenly, and I think that, had she spoken, she would have given alms. Will she, then, obtain the reward if I give alms on her behalf?" He replied, "Yes."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Abú Umámah that he said, 'I heard the Apostle of God say, in his public address, in the year of the farewell pilgrimage, "Let not a woman spend anything in alms from the house of her husband, except with the permission of her husband." It was said, "O Apostle of God, not even food?" He replied, "That is the best of our property."—At Tirmidhí.
It is related from ʿUmair, a freed slave of Abúʾl-Laḥm, that he said, 'My master ordered me to dry a piece of meat; and there came to me a poor beggar, and I gave him to eat of it. And my master was made aware of the fact and beat me. Then I came to the Apostle of God and mentioned the matter to him. And he called Abúʾl-Laḥm and said, "Why didst thou beat him?" He replied, "He gave away my food without my ordering him to do so." He said, "Its reward is (divided) between the two of you." And in another tradition it is stated that he said, "I was a slave, and I asked the Apostle of God, may I give anything in alms of my master's goods?" He replied, "Yes, and its reward is (divided) equally between the two of you."'—Muslim.
Concerning Those Who May Not Take Back Alms
Once Given
It is related from ʿOmar binuʾl-Khaṭṭáb that he said, 'I provided a horse for a man in the way of God (i.e. for religious war), but he with whom it was neglected it. Then I wished to buy it back, and imagined that he would sell it cheaply. So I asked the Prophet, and he said, "Do not buy it, and do not take back thine alms, even though he give it thee for a dirham; for verily one who takes back his alms is like a dog which returns to its vomit."'—Muslim, Al Bukhárí.
It is related from Buraidah that he said, 'I was sitting by the Prophet when a woman came to him and said, "O Apostle of God, I gave a slave-girl in alms to my mother, and the latter has died." He replied, "Thy reward (for the alms) is thy proper right, and the inheritance will return her to thee again." She said, "O Apostle of God, my mother had undertaken to fast for a mouth; may I fast on her behalf?" He replied, "Fast on her behalf." She said, "Verily my mother never performed the pilgrimage; may I perform it on her behalf?" He replied, "Yes, perform the pilgrimage on her behalf.'"—Muslim.