‘Ubada b. as-Samit reported that God's messenger said when a number of his Companions were around him, “Swear allegiance to me on the basis that you will not associate anything with God, or steal, or commit fornication, or kill your children, or produce slander which you yourselves have falsely fabricated, or be disobedient concerning what is good. If any of you fulfils his promise, God will undertake his reward but if anyone perpetrates any of these things and is punished for it in this world, it will be an atonement for him. If, however, anyone perpetrates any of those things and God conceals it regarding him, the matter lies in God’s hands; if He wishes He will forgive him, and if He wishes He will punish him.” So we swore allegiance to him on that basis. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Umama reported God’s messenger as saying, “No people have gone astray after following right guidance unless they have been led into disputation.” Then God’s messenger recited this verse, “They only put him forth to you as a matter of dispute; nay, they are a contentious people.” 1 Ahmad, Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah transmitted it. 1 Quran xliii, 58.

Anas declared that God’s messenger used to say, “Do not impose austerities on yourselves and so have God imposing austerities on you; for people have imposed austerities on themselves and God has imposed austerities on them. Their survivors are to be found in cells and monasteries.” [Then he quoted], “Monasticism, they invented it; we did not prescribe it for them.” 1 Abu Dawud transmitted it. 1 ibid, lvii, 27.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “The Qur’an came down showing five aspects

Ibn ‘Abbas reported God’s messenger as saying, “Things are of three categories

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “The generous man is near God, near paradise, near men and far from hell, but the miserly man is far from God, far from paradise, far from men and near hell. Indeed, an ignorant man who is generous is dearer to God than a worshipper who is miserly." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported God’s messenger as saying, “It is better for a man to give a dirham as sadaqa during his lifetime than to give a hundred at the time of his death.” Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Abud Darda’ reported God’s messenger as saying, “One who gives sadaqa or who frees a slave at the time of his death is like one who gives gifts when he has more than enough.” Ahmad, Nasa’i, Darimi and Tirmidhi transmitted it, and Tirmidhi said it is sahih.

Abu Sa'id reported God's messenger as saying, “There are two characteristics which are not combined in a believer

Abu Bakr as-Siddiq reported God’s messenger as saying, “A crafty one, a miser, and one who keeps reminding people of what he has given will not enter paradise.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “The worst things in a man are anxious niggardliness and unrestrained cowardice.” Abd Dawud transmitted it.

Mu'adh b. Jabal reported God’s messenger as saying, “The devil is a wolf to man, like the wolf which harries sheep, catching the one which is solitary, the one which stays far from the flock, and the one which wanders. So avoid the branching paths and keep to the general community.” Ahmad transmitted it.

Abu Dharr reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who separates himself a handbreadth from the community has cast off the rope of Islam from his neck.” Ahmad and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Malik b. Anas, in mursal form, reported God’s messenger as saying, “As long as you hold fast to two things which I have left among you, you will not go astray

Ghudaif b. al-Harith ath-Thumali reported God’s messenger as saying, “No people introduce an innovation without its equivalent being withdrawn from the sunna; so holding firmly to a sunna is better than introducing an innovation.” Ahmad transmitted it.

Hassan said that no people had produced an innovation in their religion without God removing an equivalent amount from their sunna, then not restoring it to them till the day of resurrection. Darimi transmitted it.

Ibrahim b. Maisara reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who honours an innovator has assisted in undermining Islam.” Baihaqi transmitted it in mursal form in Shu'ab al-iman.

‘A’isha said that when some of the Prophet’s wives asked him which of them would join him soonest, he replied that it would be the one with the longest arm. So they took a rod and measured, and Sauda was the one among them who had the longest arm. They later came to know that sadaqa was the meaning of the length of the arm, for Zainab was the one who joined him soonest and she was fond of giving sadaqa.* Bukhari transmitted it. In Muslim’s version she reported God’s messsenger as saying, “The one of you who will join me first is the one who has the longest arm.” She said they measured one another’s arms to see which was the longest, and the one with the longest was Zainab because she worked with her hand and gave sadaqa. * She was called Umm al-masakin (mother of the needy), a title given her in the pre-Islamic period.

Abu Huraira said that God’s messenger told of a man who expressed his intention to give sadaqa, and who when he took it out placed it in a thief’s hand. In the morning the people were talking and saying, “Sadaqa was given to a thief last night.” The man said, “O God, to Thee be the praise—to a thief!’’ He then expressed his intention to give sadaqa and when he took it out he placed it in a prostitute’s hand. In the morning the people were talking and saying, “Sadaqa was given to a prostitute last night." The man said, "O God, to Thee be the praise— to a prostitute!" He then expressed his intention to give sadaqa and when he took it out he placed it in a rich man’s hand. In the morning the people were talking and saying, “Sadaqa was given to a rich man last night." The man said, “O God, to Thee be the praise—to a thief, a prostitute and a rich man!” He then had a vision in which he was told that his sadaqa to a thief might result in his refraining from his theft, the prostitute might perhaps refrain from her immorality, and the rich man might perhaps pay heed and spend from what God had given him. (Bukhari and Muslim, the wording being Bukhari’s.)

He said that the Prophet (ﷺ) told of a man in a waterless plain hearing a voice from a cloud say, “Water so and so’s garden.” Those clouds then moved away and emptied their water on a lava tract, and a channel collected the whole of that water. He followed the water and came upon a man standing in his garden diverting the water with his spade. He asked him his name, and when he told him, it was the very name he had heard from the cloud. The man then asked him why he had asked his name, and he replied that he had heard a voice from the clouds from which that water had come saying, “Water so and so’s garden," using his name. He then asked him what he was doing in the garden and he replied, “Since you have said this, I am waiting for what it produces, when I shall give a third as sadaqa, use a third as food for myself and my family, and put a third back into it.” Muslim transmitted it.

He said he had heard the Prophet (ﷺ) say there were three men among the B. Isra’il, one leprous, one bald and one blind, whom God wished to test. He therefore sent to them an angel who came to the leper and asked him what he would like best and he replied, “A good colour, a good skin, and to be rid of what makes me loathsome to people.” Thereupon he stroked him and his loathsomeness departed and he was given a good colour and a good skin. He then asked What property he would like best and he replied that he would like camels—or perhaps he said cattle, for Ishaq* was uncertain, but either the leper or bald man said camels and the other said cattle. He was given a she-camel ten months gone with young, the angel expressing the wish that God’s blessing might accompany it. He then went to the bald man and asked him what he would like best and he replied, "Good hair, and to be rid of what makes me loathsome to people.” Thereupon he stroked him and it departed from him and he was given good hair. He then asked what property he would like best and he replied that he would like cattle, so he was given a pregnant cow, the angel expressing the wish that God’s blessing might accompany it. He then went to the blind man and asked him what he would like best, and he replied, "That God should restore my sight to me so that I may see people.” Thereupon he stroked him and God restored his sight to him. He then asked what property he would like best and he replied that he would like sheep, so he was given a pregnant ewe. Flocks and herds were produced for the three men, the one having a wadi with camels, the second one with cattle, and the third one with sheep. Then the angel came to the one who had been a leper in the form and appearance of a leper and said, “I am a poor man whose resources are exhausted in my journey, and my only means of arriving at my destination are dependent on God and then on you, so I ask you by Him who gave you the good colour, the good skin and the property for a camel by which I may get to the end of my journey,” but he replied, "I have many dues to pay.” He then said, "I seem to recognise you. Were you not a leper whom people found loathsome and a poor man to whom God gave property?” He replied, "I became heir to this property as one great in dignity from one great in dignity.”** Then he said, "If you are lying, may God return you to your former condition.” He went to the one who had been bald in the form of a bald man and said the same as he had said to the other and received a similar reply, so he said, "If you are lying, may God return you to your former condition.” He then went to the one who had been blind in the form and appearance of a blind man and said, "I am a poor man and a traveller whose resources are exhausted in my journey, and my only means of arriving at my destination are dependent on God and then on you, so I ask you by Him who restored your sight to you for a sheep by which I may get to the end of my journey." He replied, “I have been blind and God restored my sight to me, so take what you wish and leave what you wish. I swear by God that I shall not importune you today for anything you take, as I give it for God's sake." He said, “Keep your property, for you have all simply been put to a test, and God is pleased with you and displeased with your two companions.” (Bukhari and Muslim.) * Ishaq b. 'Abdallah, one of the transmitters of the tradition. ** Meaning that, he was the oldest of his family, their leader, and of the best stock. His inheritance had come from people of similar nature.

Umm Bujaid said she told God’s messenger that a poor man would stand at her door till she was ashamed, for she had nothing in her house to put in his hand, and he replied, “Put something in his hand, even though it should be a burnt hoof." Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying that this is a hasan sahih tradition.

A client of ‘Uthman said that Umm Salama was presented with a piece of meat, and because the Prophet (ﷺ) liked meat she told the servant to put it in the house as the Prophet (ﷺ) might perhaps eat it. She put it in the window ledge in the house. A beggar came and stood at the door and said, “Give alms, may God bless you," and when they replied, “God bless you,"* the beggar went away. Then the Prophet (ﷺ) entered and asked Umm Salama whether she had anything for him to eat. She replied that she had, and told the servant to go and bring God's messenger that meat, but when she went she found only a piece of flint in the window ledge. The Prophet (ﷺ) then said, “That meat changed into flint because you did not give it to the beggar." Baihaqi transmitted it in Dalail an-nubuwa. * A pious remark used to indicate that there is no intention of giving anything. The most common phrase in such circumstances is Allah karim (God is generous).

Ibn ‘Abbas said that the Prophet (ﷺ) asked some people whether they would like him to tell them who was in the worst position, and when they replied that they would, he said, “The one who is asked for something in God’s name and does not give it in His name.” Ahmad transmitted it.

Abu Dharr said that he came with his stick in his hand and asked ‘Uthman for permission to enter and this was granted. ‘Uthman then told Ka‘b that ‘Abd ar-Rahman had died leaving some property and asked what he thought about it. When he replied that if he had given what was due to God on it there was no harm in it, Abu Dharr raised his stick and struck Ka'b and said he had heard God’s messenger say, “If I had a quantity of gold equivalent to this mountain which I could spend and have accepted from me, I would not like to leave six uqiyas behind me.” He then adjured ‘Uthman three times to tell him if he had not heard him, and he replied that he had. Ahmad transmitted it.

‘Uqba b. al-Harith said that on an occasion when he had prayed the afternoon prayer in Medina behind the Prophet, he got up quickly after uttering the salutation and, stepping over the people, went to one of the rooms of his wives. The people were startled at his haste, and when he came out and saw their astonishment at his quick movement he said, “I remembered some gold which we had and did not want to be under its thrall, so I gave orders that it should be distributed.” Bukhari transmitted it. In a version by him he said, “I had left some gold belonging to the sadaqa in the house, and did not wish to keep it till night.”

‘A’isha said that during the illness of God’s messenger she had six or seven dinars belonging to him which he ordered her to distribute, but she was kept busy ministering to his suffering. He asked her what had happened to the six or seven dinars, and when she replied she had done nothing about them because she had been kept busy ministering to his suffering, he called for them, and placing them in his hand he said, “What would God’s prophet think if he were to meet God who is great and glorious while possessing these?” Ahmad transmitted it.

Abu Huraira said that when the Prophet (ﷺ) once visited Bilal and saw he had a heap of dates, he asked him what it was. One his replying, “It is something I have stored up for tomorrow,” he said, “Are you not afraid that tomorrow you may see on account of it steam in the fire of jahannam on the day of resurrection? Spend it, Bilal, and do not fear poverty from the Lord of the Throne.” Baihaqi transmitted it in Shu’ab al-iman.

He reported God’s messenger as saying, “Liberality is a tree in paradise of which he who is liberal will seize a branch, and the branch will not leave him till it brings him into paradise. And niggardliness is a tree in hell of which he who is niggardly will seize a branch, and the branch will not leave him till it brings him into hell.” Baihaqi transmitted it in Shu’ab al-iman.

‘Ali reported God’s messenger as saying, “Give the sadaqa without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.”* Razln transmitted it. * The idea is that it acts as a barrier beyond which calamity cannot pass.

Mu'adh said that when the Prophet (ﷺ) sent him to the Yemen he ordered him to take a male or female calf of a year old for every thirty cattle and a cow in its third year for every forty. Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i and Darimi transmitted it.

Anas reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who collects more sadaqa than is due is like him who refuses to pay it.” * Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi transmitted it. * Meaning that the sin committed by both is similar in its seriousness.

Abu Sa’id al-Khudri reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, “There is no sadaqa payable on grain or dates till they reach five camel-loads.” Nasa’i transmitted it.

Musa b. Talha said he had the letter of Mu'adh b. Jabal from the Prophet (ﷺ) to the effect that he ordered him to collect sadaqa only on wheat, barley, raisins and dates. It is in mursal form and is transmitted in Sharh as-sunna.

‘Attab b. Usaid reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying regarding the zakat on vines, “They are to be estimated as palm-trees are, then the zakat is to be paid in raisins as the zakat on palm-trees is paid in dried dates.” Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Sahl b. Abu Hathma related that God’s messenger used to say, “When you estimate take them leaving a third, and if you do not leave a third leave a quarter.” * Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Nasa'i transmitted it. * This is interpreted by some as meaning that a third or a quarter was not to be reckoned when assessing the tax.

'A’isha said the Prophet (ﷺ) used to send 'Abdallah b. Rawaha to Jews, and he would make an estimate of the palm trees when the fruit was in good condition before any of it was eaten. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s messenger as saying regarding honey, “A skin is payable on every ten.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying its isnad is criticised and that little on this subject is soundly reported from the Prophet.

Zainab the wife of ‘Abdallah said God’s messenger addressed them saying, “You women should give alms even if it consists of your jewellery, * for you will be the majority of the inhabitants of jahannam on the day of resurrection.” Tirmidhi transmitted it. * There is a difference of opinion as to whether this means simply giving some of their jewellery, or whether it means that zakat must be paid on jewellery which they possess.

‘Amr b. Shu'aib on his father’s authority said that his grandfather told of two women wearing gold bangles on their wrists coming to God’s messenger, who asked them whether they paid zakat on them. On their replying that they did not, he asked them whether they wanted God to put two bangles of fire on them, and when they replied that they did not, he told them to pay the zakat due on them. Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying something similar to this tradition has been transmitted by al-Muthanna b. as-Sabbah from ‘Amr b. Shu'aib; but al-Muthanna b. as-Sabbah and Ibn Lahi'a are declared to be weak in tradition; and nothing on this subject is soundly reported from the Prophet.

Umm Salama said she was wearing gold ornaments and asked God’s messenger whether that was a treasure,* to which he replied, “Whatever reaches a quantity on which zakat is payable is not a treasure when the zakat is paid.” Malik and Abu Dawud transmitted it. * The word kanz which means a treasure is used as a technical term for property liable to zakat on which the zakat is not paid.

Samura b. Jundub said God’s messenger used to order them to deduct the sadaqa from what they prepared for trade. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Rabi'a b. ‘Abd ar-Rahman on more than one person’s authority said, “God’s messenger assigned as a fief to Bilal b. al-Harith al-Muzani the mines of al-Qabaliya which is in the neighbourhood of al-Fur‘,* and only zakat is levied on those mines up to the present day.” Abu Dawud transmitted it. * Yaqut, Mu'jam, ii, 471, says it is a village in the neighbourhood of ar-Rabadha, eight stages from Medina on the way to Mecca; some say four days’ journey.

‘Ali reported the Prophet (ﷺ) as saying, “There is no sadaqa on green herbs, palm-trees given in usufruct for a year, less than five camel-loads, working animals, or al-jabha.” As-Saqr said al-jabha* consists of horses, mules and slaves. Daraqutni transmitted it. * Applied usually to horses, meaning the best type.

Tawus told that a waqs of cattle was brought to Mu'adh b. Jabal and he said the Prophet (ﷺ) did not command him to pay anything on them. Daraqutni and Shafi' transmitted it, the latter saying that a waqs is a number less than that on which sadaqa is payable. * * The word waqs or waqas is applied to odd numbers of animals (usually cattle) between one limit of assessment and the next.

Ibn ‘Umar said God’s messenger prescribed as the zakat payable by slave and freeman, male and female, young and old among the Muslims on breaking the fast of Ramadan a sa'* of dried dates or a sa' of barley, and gave command that this should be paid before the people went out to prayer. (Bukhari and Muslim.) * The Hijazi sa' is described as a measure equivalent to four mudds, the mudd being the amount a man with average size hands can hold with both hands extended.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudrl said, “We used to bring forth as the zakat on breaking the fast of Ramadan a sa’ of grain, or of barley, or of dried dates, or of cheese, or of raisins." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Ibn 'Abbas said, “At the end of Ramadan bring forth the sadaqa relating to your fast. God's messenger prescribed this sadaqa as a sa' of dried dates or barley, or half a sa' of wheat payable by every free¬man or slave, male or female, young or old." Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

He said that God’s messenger prescribed the zakat relating to the breaking of the fast as a purification of the fasting from empty and obscene talk and as food for the poor. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Amr b. Shu'aib on his father’s authority said his grandfather told that the Prophet (ﷺ) sent someone to announce in the ravines of Mecca, “The sadaqa relating to the breaking of the fast is incumbent on every Muslim, male or female, freeman or slave, young or old, consisting of two mudds of wheat or such like, or a sa' of grain." Tirmidhi transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. Tha'laba, or Tha'laba b. ‘Abdallah b. Abu Su'air* reported on his father’s authority that God’s messenger said, “A sa’ of wheat** is to be taken from every two, young or old, freeman or slave, male or female. Those of you who are rich will be purified by God and those of you who are poor will have more than they gave returned by Him to them.” Abu Dawud transmitted it. * Abu Dawud, zakat, 21 gives the name as above, but others often give b. Su'air. Ibn 'Abd al-Barr in Isti'ab and Ibn Hajar in Tahdhib give b. Su'air, adding that b. Abu Su'air also occurs. ** The transmitter is not sure which word for "wheat” was used, so he gives either burr or qamh.

Anas told that the Prophet (ﷺ) came upon a date on the road and said, “Were it not that I fear it may be part of the sadaqa I would eat it.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira told that al-Hasan b. 'All took one of the dates of the sadaqa and put it in his mouth, whereupon the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Leave it alone, leave it alone,” in order that he might throw it away. He then said, “Do you not know that we* do not eat the sadaqa?’ (Bukhari and Muslim.) * The pronoun includes the Prophet (ﷺ) and his family, al Hasan being his grandson. The idea is more definitely expressed in 'Abd al-Muttalib's tradition.

‘Abd al-Muttalib b. Rabi'a reported God’s messenger as saying, “These sadaqat are only people’s impurities,* and they are not lawful for Muhammad or Muhammad’s family.” Muslim transmitted it. * i.e. an atonement for their sins.

Abu Huraira said that when God’s messenger was brought food he asked whether it was a present or sadaqa, and if he was informed that it was sadaqa he told his companions to eat, but did not eat himself; if however he was informed that it was a present he put in his hand and ate along with them. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘A’isha said that three sunnas concerned Barira.* One was that she became free and was given her choice regarding her husband. God’s messenger said, "The right of inheritance from an emancipated slave belongs to the one who set him free.”* God’s messenger once came in when the pot was boiling with meat in it, and he was presented with some of the bread and condiments which were in the house. He asked, “Did I not see a pot containing meat?” and was told, “Yes, but that is meat which was given as sadaqa to Barira and you do not eat the sadaqa.” He replied, “It is sadaqa for her and a gift to us.” *** (Bukhari and Muslim.) * A slave-woman whom 'A’isha bought and set free. ** The context shows that these words are said to have been spoken in connection with Barira. *** This is the part of the tradition which makes it relevant in this chapter, as it declares that one who may not lawfully receive sadaqa may accept as a gift sadaqa which has been received by one who may lawfully receive it.

She said that God’s messenger would accept a present and give something in return for it. Bukhari transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “If I were invited to eat a trotter I would accept the invitation, and if I were presented with a fore-leg I would accept it.” Bukhari transmitted it.

He reported God’s messenger as saying, "The poor man (miskin) is not the one who goes round to people and is dismissed with one or two morsels, and one or two dates, but is he who does not get enough to satisfy him, is not taken notice of so that alms may be given him, yet does not get up and beg from people.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Rafi' said God’s messenger sent a man of the B. Makhzum to collect sadaqa and he asked him to accompany him so that he might get some of it; but he refused to do so till he went to God's messenger and asked him. He went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and asked him, and he said, “The sadaqa is not lawful for us, and the clients of a people are treated as being of their number.” * Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it. * Abu Rafi’ had been a slave of the Prophet (ﷺ) by whom he was set free. The point of the tradition is that the rules which apply to any people apply to their freedmen as well, and so Abu Rafi' was not entitled to receive sadaqa.

'Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s messenger as saying, “Sadaqa may not be given to a rich man, or to one who has strength and is sound in limb.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Darimi transmitted it, and Ahmad, Nasa’i and Ibn Majah transmitted it from Abu Huraira.

‘Ubaidallah b. ‘Adi b. al-Khiyar said two men informed him that they had come to the Prophet (ﷺ) when he was at the Farewell Pilgrimage while he was dividing the sadaqa and asked him for some of it. He looked them up and down, and seeing that they were robust, he said, “If you wish I shall give you something, but there is no share in it for a rich man or for one who is strong and able to earn a living.” Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

‘Ata’ b. Yasar reported in mursal form that God’s messenger said, ''Sadaqa may not be given to a rich man, with the exception of five classes

Ziyad b. al-Harith as-Suda’i said he came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and swore allegiance to him, and after telling a long story he said that a man came to him and asked him to give him some of the sadaqa. God’s messenger then said to him, ‘‘God is not pleased with a prophet's or anyone else's decision about sadaqat till He has given a decision about them Himself. He has divided those entitled to them into eight categories,* so if you come within those categories I shall give you something.” Abu Dawud transmitted it. * Reference is to Al-Qur'an 9

Zaid b. Aslam said that ‘Umar b. al-Khattab drank some milk which pleased him and asked the man who gave him the drink where that milk had come from. He informed him that he had gone down to a watering-place which he named and found there some camels which had been given as sadaqa being watered. Saying that the people had drawn off some of their milk, he added, “I put it in this milk-skin of mine, and this is it.” ‘Umar thereupon put his hand in his mouth and made himself vomit. Malik and Baihaqi, in Shu’ab al-iman, transmitted it.

Qabisa b. Mukhariq said he had become a guarantor for a payment* and he went to God’s messenger to beg from him regarding it. He said, “Wait till I receive the sadaqa and I shall order it to be given you.” He then said, “Begging, Qabisa, is allowable only to one of three classes

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who begs the property of others to increase his own is asking only for live coals,* so let him ask little or much.” Muslim transmitted it. * A reference incurring some of the punishment of hell.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Umar reported God’s messenger as saying, “When a man is always begging from people the result will be that he will come on the day of resurrection with no flesh on his face.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Mu'awiya reported God’s messenger as saying, “Do not beg importunately, for I swear by God that none of you who asks me for anything and gets out of me what he asks when I disapprove of it will receive a blessing concerning what I have given him.” Muslim transmitted it.

Az-Zubair b. al-‘Awwam reported God’s messenger as saying, “It is better for one of you to take his rope, bring a load of firewood on his back and sell it, God thereby preserving his self-respect, than that he should beg from people whether they give him anything or refuse him.” Bukhari transmitted it.

Hakim b. Hizam said he begged from God’s messenger and he gave him something, later he begged again and when he had given him something he said, “Hakim, this property is green and sweet, and he who receives it with a liberal mind will be blessed in it, but he who receives it with an avaricious mind will not be blessed in it, being like one who eats without being satisfied. And the upper hand is better than the lower one.” * Hakim told that he replied, “Messenger of God, by Him who sent you with the truth, I shall not accept anyone’s bounty after this till I leave the world.” (Bukhari and Muslim.) * The upper hand is that of the giver and the lower hand is that of the receiver. The sentence is equivalent to saying that it is better to give than to receive.

Ibn ‘Umar reported that God’s messenger said when he was on the pulpit speaking of sadaqa and abstention from begging, “The upper hand is better than the lower one, the upper being the one which bestows and the lower the one which begs.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said some of the Ansar begged from God’s messenger and he gave them something. They later begged from him again and he gave them something so that what he had was exhausted. He then said, “What I have I shall never store away from you, but God will strengthen the abstinence of him who abstains, will give a competence to him who is satisfied, and will strengthen the endurance of him who shows endurance. No one has been given a better or more ample gift than endurance.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘Umar b. al-Khattab said

Samura b. Jundub reported God's messenger as saying, “Acts of begging are lacerations with which a man disfigures his face, so he who wishes may preserve his self-respect and he who wishes may do otherwise; but this does not apply to one who asks from a ruler, or in a situation which makes it necessary.” Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted it.

‘Abdallah b. Mas'ud reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who begs from people when he has a sufficiency will come on the day of resurrection with his begging showing itself as scrapes, scratching or lacerations on his face.” On being asked what constituted a sufficiency, God’s messenger replied that it was fifty dirhams or their value in gold. Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.

Sahl b. al-Hanzaliya reported God’s messenger as saying, “He who begs when he has a sufficiency is simply asking for a great amount of hell.” An-Nufaili, who was one of its transmitters, said in another place that he was asked what was a sufficiency which made begging unfitting and replied that it was what would provide a morning and an evening meal. In another place he said it was when one had enough for a day, or for a night and a day. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

‘Ata’ b. Yasar, on the authority of a man of the B. Asad, reported God’s messenger as saying, “If any of you begs when he has an Uqiya* or its equivalent, he has begged immoderately.” Malik, Abu DawQd and Nasa’i transmitted it. * The Uqiya (ounce) of the Arabs was forty dirhams.

Hubshi b. Janada reported God’s messenger as saying, “Begging is not allowable to a rich man, or to one who has strength and is sound in limb, but only to one who is in grinding poverty or is seriously in debt. If anyone begs to increase thereby his property, it will appear as lacerations on his face on the day of resurrection and as heated stones which he will eat from jahannam. So let him who wishes ask little, and let him who wishes ask much.” Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Anas said that when a man of the Ansar came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and begged from him, he asked him whether he had nothing in his house. When he said he had a cloth part of which he wore and part of which he spread on the ground and a wooden bowl from which he drank water, God's messenger told him to bring them to him, and when he did so he took them in his hand and asked, “Who will buy these?” When a man offered a dirham he asked twice or thrice, “Who will offer more than a dirham?” and he gave them to a man who offered two dirhams. He then took the two dirhams and giving them to the Ansari he said, “Buy food with one of them and hand it to your family, and buy an axe with the other and bring it to me.” When he brought it God’s messenger fixed a handle on it with his own hand and said, “Go, gather firewood and sell it, and don’t let me see you for a fortnight.” The man went away and gathered firewood and sold it. When he had earned ten dirhams he came to him and bought a garment with some of them and food with others. Then God’s messenger said, “This is better for you than that begging should come as a spot on your face on the day of resurrection. Begging is right for only three people

Ibn Mas'ud reported God’s messenger as saying, “If one who is afflicted by poverty refers it to men, his poverty will not be brought to an end; but if one refers it to God, He will soon give him sufficiency, either by a speedy death or by a sufficiency which comes later.” Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Ibn al-Firasi said that al-Firasi asked God's messenger whether he might beg, and the Prophet (ﷺ) replied, “No; but if there is no escape from it, beg from the upright.” Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

Ibn as-Sa‘idi said

'Ali told how, when he heard a man begging from the people on the day of ‘Arafa, he said, "On this day and in this place do you beg from anyone but God?” He then struck him with a whip. Razin transmitted it.

'Umar said, "You people must know that covetousness is poverty, despair is wealth, and that when a man despairs of anything he can dispense with it.”. Razin transmitted it.

Thauban reported God’s messenger as saying, "If anyone guarantees me that he will not beg from people, I will guarantee him paradise.” Thauban said that he would, and he never asked anyone for anything. Abu Dawud and Nasa'i transmitted it.

Abu Dharr said that God's messenger called him and laid a condition on him that he should not ask people for anything. When he agreed he said, "Not even for your whip when you drop it. You must dismount and get it yourself.” Ahmad transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, "If I had gold to the extent of Uhud I would not like to keep any of it more than three days, except what I put aside to pay a debt.” Bukhari transmitted it.

He reported him as saying that two angels come down every morning and one says, "O God, give him who spends something in place of it;” the other says, “O God, give him who withholds destruction.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Asma’ reported God’s messenger as saying, "Spend, do not calculate and so have God calculating against you, do not hoard and so have God hoarding from you, but give such small amounts as you can.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as stating that God most high had said, "If you spend, son of Adam, I shall spend on you.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Umama reported God’s messenger as saying, "Son of Adam, to give away what you have extra is better for you and to withhold it is worse for you, but you are not blamed for having a sufficiency. Give first to those who are dependent on you.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, "The niggardly man and the one who gives alms are like two men wearing coats of iron with their hands pressed closely to their breasts and their collar-bones. As often as the one who gives alms does so it becomes expanded for him, but as often as the niggardly man thinks about giving alms it contracts and every ring keeps to its place.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Jabir reported God’s messenger as saying, "Beware of oppression, for oppression (zulm) will produce excessive darkness (zulumat) on the day of resurrection; and beware of niggardliness, for niggardliness destroyed your predecessor, inducing them to shed one another's blood and to treat things forbidden them as lawful." Muslim transmitted it.

Haritha b. Wahb told that God's messenger exhorted the people to give sadaqa, for the time was coming when a man would go with his sadaqa and find no one to accept it. A man would say, “If you had brought it yesterday I would have accepted it, but I have no need of it today." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira told that when a man asked God’s messenger which sadaqa produced the greatest reward he replied, “That which you give when you are healthy and inclined to be mean, fearing poverty and hoping for a competence. Do not put it off and then say when you are about to die that you give such and such to so and so and such and such to so and so when it has already become the property of so and so.”* (Bukhari and Muslim.) * i.e. by inheritance.

Abu Dharr said

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone gives as sadaqa the equivalent of a date from something lawfully earned, for God accepts only what is lawful, God will accept it with His right hand, then foster it for the one who gave it as one of you fosters his colt, till it becomes like a mountain.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

He reported God’s messenger as saying, “Sadaqa does not reduce property; God increases the honour of him who forgives another; and no one will humble himself for God’s sake without God exalting him.” Muslim transmitted it.

He reported God’s messenger as saying, “If anyone contributes a pair of anything in God’s path he will be invited to enter by the gates of paradise, for paradise has gates. Those who engage in prayer will be invited to enter by the gate of prayer; those who take part in jihad will be invited to enter by the gate of jihad; those who give sadaqa will be invited to enter by the gate of sadaqa; and those who fast will be invited to enter by the gate ar-Rayyan.”* Abu Bakr said, “No distress will rest on him who is invited to enter by those gates,** but will anyone be invited to enter by all those gates?” He replied, “Yes, and I hope you may be one.” (Bukhari and Muslim.) * This word means literally 'well-watered,’ or 'fresh’. ** This is explained as meaning ‘by one of those gates,’as one who enters by any gate will get into paradise

He said that God’s messenger [once] asked who had observed a fast that day and Abu Bakr said he had. He asked who had followed a bier that day and Abu Bakr said he had. He asked who had fed a poor man that day and Abu Bakr said he had. He asked who had visited an invalid that day and Abu Bakr said he had. God’s messenger then said, “Anyone in whom these good deeds are combined will certainly enter paradise." Muslim transmitted it.

He reported God’s messenger as saying, “None of you Muslim women must consider even a sheep’s trotter too insignificant a gift to give to her neighbour.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Jabir and Hudhaifa reported God’s messenger as saying, “Every act of kindness is sadaqa.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Dharr reported God’s messenger as saying, “Do not consider any act of kindness insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful face.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari reported God’s messenger as saying that every Muslim must give sadaqa. He was asked how this could apply to one who had nothing and replied that he should work with his hands, gaining benefit for himself thereby, and give sadaqa. He was asked what would happen if he were unable to do this or did not do it, and replied that he should help one who was in need and sad. He was asked what he should do if he did not do that and replied that he should enjoin what is good. He was asked what he should do if he did not do that, and replied that he should refrain from evil, for that would be sadaqa for him. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

Abu Huraira reported God's messenger as saying, “Every bone of men’s fingers and toes must give sadaqa every day the sun rises. If one gives justice between two men it is sadaqa; if one helps a man with his beast, loading or lifting* his goods on it, it is sadaqa; a good word is sadaqa; every step one takes towards prayer is sadaqa; and if anyone removes anything injurious from the road it is sadaqa.” (Bukhari and Muslim.) * Mirqat suggests that the transmitter says 'loading or lifting', being doubtful which word was used.

‘A’isha reported God’s messenger as saying, “Everyone of the children of Adam has been created with three hundred and sixty joints, so he who declares God’s greatness, praises God, declares that He is the only God, glorifies God, asks forgiveness of God, removes a stone, a thorn, or a bone from people’s path, enjoins what is reputable, or forbids what is objectionable to the number of those three hundred and sixty, will walk that day having removed himself from hell.” Muslim transmitted it.

Aba Dharr reported God’s messenger as saying, “In every ascription of glory to God, every declaration of His greatness, every utterance of praise to Him, every declaration that He is the only God, in enjoining what is reputable, in forbidding what is objectionable, and in a man’s sexual intercourse there is sadaqa.” On being asked whether a reward would be given for satisfying one’s passion, he said, “Tell me; if he were to devote it to something forbidden, would it not be a sin on his part? Similarly, if he were to devote it to something lawful, he would have a reward.” Muslim transmitted it.

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “A milch-camel with abundant milk given as a loan and a ewe with abundant milk given as a loan, which produces a vessel of milk in the morning and another in the evening, is good sadaqa.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)