Explanation of the Hadith: Whoever is given a favor from his brother without asking

The questioner:
It is reported from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: “Whoever is given a favor from his brother without asking, and without any reluctance, let him accept it and not reject it, for it is a provision that Allah has directed to him.” We hope, with thanks, that Your Eminence will explain this hadith.

The Shaykh:
This is a hadith narrated by Muslim in the Sahih from Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ‘Umar said, “O Messenger of Allah, give it to him, for he is in greater need of it than I am.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him, “Take it and either spend it or give it in charity,” . So the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered ‘Umar to accept what came to him from the public treasury, and of this type of money, without asking, and without any reluctance. If he wished, he could spend it and use it for his needs, or if he wished, he could give it in charity. So if money comes to you that is not through riba (usury or interest), and not through gambling, but as a gift from your brother, accept it. Or if it is from the public treasury, accept it. If you wish, spend it on your needs, such as your food, drink, clothing, and the upkeep of your household. Or if you wish, give it in charity to whom you wish, if you do not want it or if you are scrupulous about it. Give it in charity to those who need it from among the poor. Do not reject it except for valid reasons. If there are reasons for rejection, such as if he gave you the money so that you would bear false witness, do not accept this money. If a judge gives you money to rule unjustly against you, it is not permissible for the judge to accept this money, nor is it permissible for you, because it would be a bribe. If he gives you money to commit a sin with him, it is not permissible. But if he gives you money out of love for Allah, or because you are poor, or for the sake of kinship, do not reject it unless you know that he is a thief, that he stole it, or that he wronged someone, such as Zayd or ‘Amr. In that case, return it to him, because he earned it by what Allah has forbidden and transgressed against the servants of Allah. Or take it from him and give it to its owner. If you know that he stole it from so-and-so, or wronged so-and-so, or laundered it from so-and-so, then return it to its owner. In that case, you will be a doer of good and you will have done well by doing so. The bottom line is that if money comes to you through a permissible way, take it and do not reject it. If you wish, spend it on yourself. If you wish, give it in charity or lend it for a charitable project. But if it comes through an unlawful way, through bribery, through theft, or through wronging people, do not accept it and do not assist in the sins of Allah.

The questioner:
I mean, if it was a gift.

The Shaykh:
If he gave it to you for the sake of Allah, without any bribe to make you disobey Allah or to obey him in the sins of Allah, there is no harm. But if he gave it to you so that you would be involved in what is forbidden, involved in falsehood, then this is invalid. No, do not accept it.

The questioner:
My intention is to send the family away afterwards.

The Shaykh:
With Allah’s permission, I am reading well.