In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Ifadah Center
for Humanities Studies and Research
presents
The Abridged Sahih al-Bukhari
Chapter: Charity Before It Is Rejected
On the authority of Harithah Ibn Wahb, who said:
I heard the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, say:
"Give charity,
for a time will come upon you
when a man will walk with his charity,
and he will find no one to accept it.
A man will say,
'Had you brought it yesterday, I would have accepted it,
but today, I have no need for it.'"
Commentary on the hadith:
"The man"
refers to the one to whom the charity is offered.
"I have no need for it"
means I am not in need of wealth.
From the benefits of the hadith:
One derives from the hadith
the encouragement to give charity and the desire to do so
while one can still find those who are deserving of it,
for fear that a time will come when no one can be found to take it.
The hadith also points to the fact that among the signs of the Hour is an abundance of wealth
and the uncovering of the earth’s treasures,
to the point that people will have no need for charity.
It also highlights the importance of hastening to perform acts of obedience before one becomes unable to do so.
On the authority of 'Adi Ibn Hatim, who said:
While I was with the Prophet, peace be upon him,
a man came to him and complained of poverty.
In another narration:
He complained of destitution.
Then another came and complained of highway robbery.
He said:
"O 'Adi,
have you seen al-Hirah?"
I said:
"I have not seen it,
but I have been told about it."
He said:
"If you live a long life,
you will surely see a woman in a camel litter traveling from al-Hirah until she circumambulates the Ka'bah,
fearing no one but Allah."
In another narration:
"As for highway robbery,
only a short time will pass
before caravans travel to Makkah without a protector."
I said to myself:
"What, then, of the scoundrels of the Tayy tribe who have set the land ablaze with chaos?"
"And if you live a long life,
the treasures of Chosroes will be opened."
I asked: "Chosroes, son of Hormuz?"
He said:
"Chosroes, son of Hormuz.
And if you live a long life,
you will surely see a man taking out a handful of gold or silver,
seeking someone to accept it from him,
but he will find no one to accept it."
In another narration:
"As for destitution,
the Hour will not be established
until one of you walks with his charity
and finds no one to accept it from him.
And each of you will surely meet Allah on the day he meets Him,
with no interpreter between Him and him to translate for him."
In another narration:
"And no veil to screen him.
He will say to him:
'Did I not send a messenger to you who conveyed [the message] to you?'
He will say: 'Yes.'
He will say:
'Did I not give you wealth and bestow favor upon you?'
He will say: 'Yes.'
Then he will look to his right
and see nothing but Hellfire,
and he will look to his left
and see nothing but Hellfire."
In another narration:
"He will look to his right
and see nothing but what he has sent forth of his deeds,
and he will look to his left
and see nothing but what he has sent forth,
and he will look before him
and see nothing but the Fire facing his face."
'Adi said:
I heard the Prophet, peace be upon him, say:
"Protect yourselves from the Fire, even with half a date."
Whoever cannot find half a date,
then [let him do so] with a good word.
'Adi said:
I have seen the woman in the camel litter traveling from al-Hirah until she circumambulates the Ka'bah,
fearing no one but Allah.
And I was among those who opened the treasures of Chosroes, son of Hormuz.
And if you live a long life,
you will surely see what the Prophet, Abu al-Qasim, peace be upon him, said:
[Wealth] being taken out of hands.
Commentary on the hadith:
"Al-faqah"
means poverty and need.
"Qat' al-sabil" (highway robbery)
refers to the actions of bandits who operate openly.
"Al-Hirah"
is a well-known ancient city adjacent to Kufah.
"Unbi'tu" means I was informed.
"Latarawunna al-da'inah"
means the woman in the camel litter.
"Tartahilu" means she travels.
"Fa-ayna du'aru Tayyi'"
"Al-da'ir"
is the cunning, wicked person,
the corrupt, immoral person.
The intended meaning is highway robbers.
"Qad sa'aru al-bilad"
means they have ignited the fire of strife in the land.
"Yatlubu"
means he searches for
someone to accept it from him,
due to the absence of the poor in that time.
"Wa layalqayanna Allah ahadukum yawma yalqahu"
means on the Day of Resurrection.
"And there is no interpreter between Him and him."
The interpreter is one who translates from one language to another.
"Al-'aylah"
means poverty.
"Takhruju al-'ir"
refers to camels and beasts of burden carrying food and other trade goods.
"Bighayri khafir"
"Al-khafir"
is the protector who guarantees the safety of the people under his protection.
"Did I not give you wealth and bestow favor upon you?"
From "al-ifdal" (bestowing favor),
meaning: Did I not treat you kindly with blessings?
"Even with half a date"
means half of a date.
From the benefits of the hadith:
The hadith is among the signs of Prophethood.
For among the signs of the Hour is that wealth will abound,
so people will not be in need of charity.
It also indicates that security will spread among the people,
so that no one will fear.
The hadith affirms that Allah, the Almighty, speaks,
and affirms that the believers will see their Lord, the Almighty, on the Day of Resurrection.
The hadith indicates that Allah, the Almighty, does not punish until He has sent a messenger.
The hadith shows that a good word can be a shield against the Fire,
just as an evil word is a cause for the Fire.
It encourages giving charity,
and that one should not belittle any act of goodness, whether in word or deed, even if it is small.
The hadith is among the signs of Prophethood,
as it foretells that the treasures of Chosroes and Caesar will be spent in the cause of Allah, the Almighty,
and that has indeed come to pass.
On the authority of Abu Musa, may Allah be pleased with him,
from the Prophet, peace be upon him, who said:
"A time will come upon people when a man will walk with charity of gold,
and he will find no one to take it from him.
And one man will be seen followed by forty women seeking his protection,
due to the scarcity of men and the abundance of women."
Commentary on the hadith:
"Of gold"
Gold is specifically mentioned to emphasize the extreme scarcity of those who would accept charity,
because gold is the most precious of metals and the most noble of wealth.
If no one is found to take this,
then it is even more certain that other things will not be taken.
"Yaludhuna bihi"
means they seek refuge with him and desire him.
From the benefits of the hadith:
The hadith is among the signs of Prophethood.
Among the signs of the Hour is the abundance of wealth,
to the point that one finds no one to accept it.
It points to the prevalence of killing and strife at the end of time,
causing men to become scarce due to wars.
It points to the fact that guardianship (qiwamah) belongs to the man forever,
for that is the nature of Allah upon which He has created people.
It encourages hastening to distribute charity.
Chapter:
Protect yourselves from the Fire, even with half a date,
and [the virtue of] small amounts of charity.
On the authority of Abu Mas'ud, who said:
When we were commanded to give charity,
we used to carry burdens [to earn money to give].
Then Abu 'Aqil came with half a sa' [of grain],
and in another narration, with a full sa'.
In another narration:
One of us would go to the market
and work to earn a mudd [of grain].
Yet today, some of them possess a hundred thousand.
Then a man came with more than that,
and the hypocrites said:
"Allah is surely in no need of this man's charity,
and this other man did not do this except for show."
So it was revealed:
"Those who criticize the voluntary givers..."
“Those who point at such of the believers as give the alms willingly and such as can find naught to give but their endeavours, and deride them - Allah (Himself) derideth them. Theirs will be a painful doom.” (9:79)
“Those who point at such of the believers as give the alms willingly and such as can find naught to give but their endeavours, and deride them - Allah (Himself) derideth them. Theirs will be a painful doom.” (9:79)
Commentary on the hadith:
"Protect yourselves from the Fire, even with half a date."
"Bi-shaqq tamrah"
means with half a date.
The intended meaning is:
Charity, even if it be but a little.
We used to burden ourselves.
Meaning, we would take on labor for a wage.
In order to earn what we could give in charity.
Then Abu 'Aqil came.
He is a noble Companion, may Allah be pleased with him.
His name is Habhab, and it is said Hubab.
A person.
He is 'Abd al-Rahman ibn 'Awf, may Allah be pleased with him.
And it is said someone else.
He set out.
A metaphor for taking the initiative.
The mudd (a dry measure).
It is the amount that fills a person's two hands when they are cupped.
And some of them.
As if he were criticizing him personally.
For a hundred thousand.
Of dinars or dirhams.
Those who find fault.
Meaning, they criticize and disparage.
The volunteers among the believers in their charity.
Saying their intention is pride and showing off.
“Those who point at such of the believers as give the alms willingly and such as can find naught to give but their endeavours, and deride them - Allah (Himself) derideth them. Theirs will be a painful doom.” (9:79)
So they give out whatever they are able.
From the benefits of the hadith.
One learns from the hadith.
The demonstration of the eagerness of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them.
To comply with the command.
In the hadith is an indication of the habit of the hypocrites.
Of discouraging and turning people away.
From doing good deeds.
It contains an encouragement to give charity.
And that one should not belittle any good deed.
No matter how small.
It shows the promptness of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them.
In complying with the command of the Prophet, peace be upon him.
Out of love, contentment, and submission.
The hadith indicates that among the best of deeds.
Is charity earned by one's own hand.
It permits hiring oneself out.
For a specific task under its conditions.
From 'A'ishah, the wife of the Prophet, peace be upon him.
She said.
A woman came to me with two daughters, asking me for something.
She found nothing with me except a single date.
So I gave it to her.
She divided it between her two daughters.
Then she stood up and left.
Then the Prophet, peace be upon him, entered.
I told him about it.
He said.
Whoever is responsible for any of these girls.
In one narration.
Whoever is tested with any of these girls.
And treats them well.
They will be a shield for him from the Fire.
Commentary on the hadith.
"Whoever is responsible for" refers to guardianship.
Which is the responsibility for them.
"And treats them well."
Meaning, treats them with kindness.
Disciplines them well.
Spends on them and shows them mercy.
Provides for them and marries them off.
"They will be a shield for him from the Fire."
Meaning, a barrier from the Fire.
From the benefits of the hadith.
One learns from the hadith.
The encouragement to give charity, even if it is little.
It shows the mercy.
That Allah the Exalted has placed.
In the hearts of mothers.
It shows that spending on daughters.
And striving for their welfare.
Is among the best of righteous deeds.
That save one from the Fire.
It emphasizes the rights of daughters.
Over the rights of sons, due to their vulnerability.
Chapter: The virtue of the charity of one who is stingy and healthy.
From Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him.
He said.
A man came to the Prophet, peace be upon him.
And said.
O Messenger of Allah.
Which charity has the greatest reward?
In one narration.
The best.
He said.
That you give charity while you are healthy and stingy.
In one narration.
Healthy and greedy.
Fearing poverty and hoping for wealth.
And do not delay.
Until it reaches the throat.
You say, "Give so-and-so this much."
"And give so-and-so that much."
When it already belongs to so-and-so.
Commentary on the hadith.
A man.
It is said to be Abu Dharr, may Allah be pleased with him.
"Healthy."
Meaning, in good health.
"Stingy."
Meaning, miserly with greed.
"Fearing poverty."
Meaning, you fear becoming poor.
"Hoping for wealth."
Meaning, you covet riches.
"Do not delay."
Meaning, do not postpone or wait.
"Until it reaches the throat."
Meaning, until the arrival of.
Death.
"When it already belongs to so-and-so."
He means the heir.
From the benefits of the hadith.
One learns from the hadith.
The eagerness of the Companions for.
Deeds with great rewards.
It shows that.
Generosity with wealth during illness.
Does not erase the trait of stinginess.
From 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with.
Her.
Some of the wives of the Prophet, peace be upon him.
We said to the Prophet, peace be upon him.
Which of us will be the quickest to join you?
He said.
The one with the longest hand among you.
So they took a cane to measure their arms.
And Sawdah had the longest hand.
We learned later.
That the length of her hand was charity.
And she was the quickest of us to join him.
And she loved charity.
Commentary on the hadith.
"Quickest to join you."
The meaning is dying after you.
"So they took a cane."
Meaning, a stick from a plant.
"To measure."
Meaning, they estimated it by the arm of each one of them.
"We learned later."
Meaning, after the death of Zaynab bint Jahsh, may Allah be pleased with her.
From the benefits of the hadith.
One learns from the hadith.
The legitimacy of taking speech at its literal and true meaning.
And there is no blame on one who does that.
The hadith indicates that judgment is based on meanings when there is context.
Chapter: If one gives charity to a rich person without knowing.
From Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him.
That the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said.
A man said.
"I will surely give charity."
So he went out with his charity and placed it in the hand of a thief.
In the morning, they were talking.
"Charity was given to a thief."
He said.
"O Allah, all praise is Yours."
"I will surely give charity."
So he went out with his charity.
And placed it in the hand of a prostitute.
In the morning, they were talking.
"Charity was given to a prostitute last night."
He said.
"O Allah, all praise is Yours."
"To a prostitute."
"I will surely give charity."
So he went out with his charity.
And placed it in the hand of a rich person.
In the morning, they were talking.
"Charity was given to a rich person."
He said.
"O Allah, all praise is Yours."
"For the thief, the prostitute, and the rich person."
Then he was approached and told.
"As for your charity to the thief."
"Perhaps he will refrain from his theft."
"And as for the prostitute."
"Perhaps she will refrain from her prostitution."
"And as for the rich person."
"Perhaps he will take heed and spend from what Allah has given him."
Commentary on the hadith.
A man who was from the Children of Israel.
He placed it in the hand of a thief.
Without knowing that he was a thief.
"In the morning, they were talking."
Meaning, the people among whom this charitable man lived.
"O Allah, all praise is Yours."
Meaning, praise be to Allah in all circumstances.
"He was approached," meaning he saw in a dream.
Or heard a caller, an angel or otherwise.
Or a prophet informed him.
Or a scholar gave him a ruling.
"Perhaps."
"Perhaps" from Allah the Exalted carries the meaning of certainty and inevitability.
"And as for the rich person, perhaps he will take heed."
That is because when he gave charity to him.
It shamed him and exposed him to the example of others.
Among the benefits of the hadith:
The hadith clarifies the blessing of sincerity and its merit,
And its impact upon others.
It also indicates that Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He,
Rewards the servant according to his intention for good.
It further shows that if a person giving charity intends by their charity the Countenance of Allah, it is accepted from them,
And it does not harm them if they placed it in the hands of someone undeserving, while being ignorant of their state.
There is a difference of opinion regarding the obligatory zakat.
The hadith clarifies the merit of secret charity.
It also indicates that it is incumbent upon the believer to praise Allah in every circumstance.
It contains an exhortation to submission and contentment,
And a condemnation of complaining against the divine decree.
The hadith establishes the principle that judgment is based on the apparent state until the contrary becomes clear.
The hadith indicates that one should not pay heed to the words of those who discourage others from acts of worship and good deeds.
It clarifies that one of the purposes of charity is to provide dignity to those who are deserving.
The hadith provides evidence that admonition through actions
Reaches the level of admonition through words, and even exceeds it.
For such an admonition serves as a deterrent and a restraint.
Chapter: Giving charity to one's son without realizing it.
On the authority of Ma'n Ibn Yazid, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:
I pledged allegiance to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him,
Along with my father and my grandfather.
He arranged a marriage for me, so he married me off.
And I brought a dispute before him.
My father, Yazid, had taken out some dinars to give as charity,
And he placed them with a man in the mosque.
I came and took them,
Then I brought them to him.
He said, "By Allah, it was not you I intended."
So I brought the dispute before the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him.
He said, "You shall have what you intended, O Yazid,"
"And you shall have what you took, O Ma'n."
Commentary on the hadith:
"My grandfather" is Al-Akhnas Ibn Habib, may Allah be pleased with him.
"He arranged a marriage for me" means:
The Prophet, peace be upon him, proposed on my behalf to a woman.
"So he married me off" means he facilitated my marriage.
"And I brought a dispute before him"
Means I presented to the Prophet, peace be upon him,
A dispute between me and my father.
"And he placed them with a man"
Meaning he authorized him to give them as charity to whoever was in need of them.
"By Allah, it was not you I intended"
Meaning, as the recipient of the charity.
"And you shall have what you took, O Ma'n"
Because you were in a position of need.
Among the benefits of the hadith:
This hadith indicates that deeds are judged by intentions,
And that a person is rewarded for their intention.
It permits appointing an agent for marriage proposals, charity, and other matters.
The hadith provides evidence for acting upon a general agency.
It shows the legality of seeking arbitration between a father and son.
Such arbitration does not constitute disobedience.
It permits taking pride in divine gifts
In the manner of speaking of the blessings of Allah,
Not in the manner of showing off or arrogance.
The hadith shows that the one giving charity receives the reward for what they intended,
Whether or not they happened upon someone deserving.
Chapter: One who orders their servant to give charity without handing it over personally.
On the authority of 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, who said:
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
"If a woman spends from the food of her house without causing waste,"
In one narration: "gives charity,"
In another narration: "feeds,"
"She has her reward for what she spent,"
"Her husband has his reward for what he earned,"
"And the keeper has the like of that,"
"Without any of them diminishing the reward of the other in the slightest."
Commentary on the hadith:
"Spends" means gives charity.
"Food of her house" is restricted to food,
Because it is usually permitted to give, unlike gold and silver coins.
For spending those is not permitted except with permission.
"Without causing waste"
Means she does not cause harm by exceeding what is customary.
"Her husband has his reward" because he is the owner of the food.
"And the keeper"
The keeper is the one entrusted with the safekeeping of the food,
Whether a servant or otherwise.
Among the benefits of the hadith:
One learns from the hadith:
The permissibility of a woman giving charity from her husband's wealth in moderation,
If she knows from her husband's state that he would be pleased with that.
It contains an exhortation to economy in spending and charity from the wealth of others.
Chapter: There is no charity except from what is left after sufficiency.
On the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:
The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
"The best charity is that which leaves one with sufficiency."
In one narration:
"The best charity is that which is given from what is left after sufficiency."
"And the upper hand is better than the lower hand,"
"And begin with those you support."
"A woman says:"
"'Either feed me or divorce me.'"
"'And a slave says:'"
"'Feed me and employ me.'"
"'And a son says:'"
"'Feed me, to whom are you leaving me?'"
They said:
"O Abu Hurayrah,"
"Did you hear this from the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him?"
He said: "No, this is from the pouch of Abu Hurayrah."
Commentary on the hadith:
"That which leaves one with sufficiency"
Means from what is left after sufficiency.
Meaning it does not leave the giver in need of asking after their charity.
"And the upper hand"
Meaning the one who gives.
"Is better than the lower hand"
Meaning the one who asks.
"And begin with those you support"
"And begin with those you support"
Meaning those whose maintenance is obligatory upon you.
A man supports his family
When he provides what they need in terms of food, clothing, and other necessities.
"This is from the pouch of Abu Hurayrah"
Meaning it is a statement of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him,
So it is attributed to him (mawquf).
Among the benefits of the hadith:
One learns from the hadith:
That one of the conditions of giving charity is that the giver is not in need of it for their own maintenance or the maintenance of those they support.
The hadith indicates that spending on those whose maintenance is obligatory is charity,
And it is more deserving.
It provides guidance on prioritizing economy and expenditures.
It shows that one of the most worthy ways to interpret a hadith
Is the interpretation of the Companion who narrates it.
The hadith points to the importance of striving to ensure the sufficiency of the one receiving charity.
On the authority of Hakim Ibn Hizam, may Allah be pleased with him,
From the Prophet, peace be upon him, who said:
"The upper hand is better than the lower hand,"
"And begin with those you support,"
"And the best charity is that which is given from what is left after sufficiency,"
"And whoever seeks to be chaste, Allah will make him chaste,"
"And whoever seeks self-sufficiency, Allah will make him self-sufficient."
Commentary on the hadith:
"Whoever seeks to be chaste"
Seeking chastity is the request for purity.
It is refraining from the forbidden and from asking of people.
It is also said that seeking chastity is patience and integrity regarding a matter.
"Whoever seeks self-sufficiency, Allah will make him self-sufficient"
Meaning whoever seeks wealth from Allah, He will grant it to him.
Among the benefits of the hadith:
One learns from the hadith:
The clarification of the merit of seeking chastity and refraining from asking of people.
It shows that the reward is of the same nature as the deed.
On the authority of Ibn 'Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both,
That the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him,
Said while he was on the pulpit,
And he mentioned charity, chastity, and asking:
"The upper hand is better than the lower hand."
The upper hand is the one that gives,
And the lower is the one that asks.
Among the benefits of the hadith:
One learns from the hadith:
That the texts of the hadith interpret one another.
The hadith clarifies the merit of seeking chastity and refraining from asking.
It permits the preacher to speak about everything that is beneficial in terms of admonition, knowledge, and acts of devotion.
It contains an exhortation to charity and spending in ways of obedience.
Chapter: Encouraging charity and interceding for it.
On the authority of Abu Musa, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:
The Prophet, peace be upon him, was sitting,
When a man came to him asking or seeking a need.
He turned to us with his face and said:
"Intercede, and you will be rewarded,"
"And Allah will decree through the tongue of His Prophet what He wills."
Commentary on the hadith:
"Intercede"
Intercession is seeking the fulfillment of a need for another.
"And Allah will decree through the tongue of His Prophet what He wills"
Meaning Allah, Exalted be He, decrees through the tongue of the Prophet, peace be upon him,
Regarding the attainment of his need,
So the seeker attains his objective,
And you receive the reward.
Among the benefits of the hadith:
One learns from the hadith:
The clarification of the merit of walking to fulfill the need of a Muslim,
And interceding for them in permissible matters.
It shows that the reward is attained by the one who strives,
Even if the objective is not attained.
On the authority of Asma',
That the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
"Spend,"
In one narration:
"Give charity,"
"And do not count, lest Allah count against you,"
"And do not withhold, lest Allah withhold from you."
In one narration:
"Do not tie up, lest it be tied up against you."
In one narration:
"Give as much as you are able."
Commentary on the hadith:
"Spend" means give charity.
"Do not count, lest Allah count against you."
"Counting"
Is knowing the amount of a thing, its weight, or its number.
The intended meaning is:
Allah, Exalted be He, will withhold blessing and provision from you just as you withheld.
"And do not withhold, lest Allah withhold from you."
Meaning: do not keep your wealth locked away in a container to preserve it without spending it.
For that will become a cause for you to be withheld from [Allah's bounty].
"Do not withhold" (la tuki).
This is a metaphor for stinginess and miserliness.
"Give" (ardkhi).
The term *radgh* refers to giving a small amount.
Among the benefits of this hadith:
It is understood from the hadith that the recompense is of the same nature as the deed.
It contains an encouragement to spend and a condemnation of stinginess and hoarding.
It also indicates that charity causes wealth to grow.
And it serves as a cause for blessing and increase within that wealth.