Explanation of the hadith of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said: (A man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: O Messenger of Allah, which charity is the greatest in reward?
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The Shaykh : So we conclude this chapter with this authentic hadith.
He said: From Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 778 It was narrated by al-Bukhari, Muslim, al-Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah in similar wording, and by Abu Dawud, except that he said: Sunan Abi Dawud 2865Sahih (Al-Albani).
This hadith encourages the Muslim to hasten in doing good and not to neglect performing righteous deeds. Among these deeds is giving charity from one's wealth. This authentic hadith encourages the Muslim to rush to give charity while he is in good health, hoping to live, and not to delay it until death overtakes him and the soul reaches the throat. At that point, a bequest is of no benefit to him, for all his wealth has passed from his hands and become the property of his heirs after him. This is like one who disposes of the property of another.
So he (peace and blessings be upon him) answered this questioner that the best charity, and the greatest in reward, is:Sahih Muslim 1032a meaning, you are not sick , because the healthy person fears that he may fall ill, so he is inclined to save his money. At that time, charity is the most effective in cutting off his stinginess and miserliness, and it is the purest and most wholesome for his soul. So he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sahih Muslim 1032a. As for when one reaches the death rattle, here he does not hope to live, nor does he fear poverty, because after that there is only imminent death. Sahih Muslim 1032a I said, "I bequeath so much to so-and-so." This first so-and-so appears to be from among the poor people or those in need of financial assistance. As for "and so much to so-and-so," the second one appears to be from among the heirs. This is indicated by his statement at the end of the hadith: "And so-and-so had already received so much." He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Sahih al-Bukhari 1419, meaning, if you bequeath to a poor person, this bequest will not benefit you in any way, because when the soul reaches the throat, if you say, "So-and-so, who inherits from you, will receive so much," then he will inherit from you whether you wish it or not. So it is upon the wealthy person who is in good health, who fears poverty and hopes for good and wealth, to hasten and rush to give charity and do good. Otherwise, if he proceeds to make a bequest when death approaches him, this bequest is not accepted from him, neither by Shari'ah nor by judicial ruling, as detailed by the jurists regarding judicial matters.
And this is sufficient, and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.
He said: From Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), who said:
A man came to the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and said, 'Messenger of Allah, which sadaqa has the best reward?' He said, 'By your father, you will learn of it. It is that you give sadaqa while you are healthy and avaricious, fearful of poverty and desirous of wealth. You should not delay it until you are at the point of death and then say, "This much is for so-and-so. This much is for so-and-so. This much is for so-and-so."'"
جاء رجل إلى النبي صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم فقال يا رسول الله أيّ الصدقة أعظم أجرا قال أن تتصدق وأنت صحيح شحيح تخشى الفقر وتأمل الغنى ولا تمهل حتى إذا بلغت الحلقوم قلت لفلان كذا ولفلان كذا وقد كان لفلان كذاthat you give something as sadaqah (charity) when you are healthy, greedy, expect survival and fear poverty
أن تصدق وأنت صحيح حريص تأمل البقاء وتخشى الفقرThis hadith encourages the Muslim to hasten in doing good and not to neglect performing righteous deeds. Among these deeds is giving charity from one's wealth. This authentic hadith encourages the Muslim to rush to give charity while he is in good health, hoping to live, and not to delay it until death overtakes him and the soul reaches the throat. At that point, a bequest is of no benefit to him, for all his wealth has passed from his hands and become the property of his heirs after him. This is like one who disposes of the property of another.
So he (peace and blessings be upon him) answered this questioner that the best charity, and the greatest in reward, is:
That you should give charity (in a state when you are) healthy
أن تصدق وأنت صحيحAnd stingy.
وشحيحThat you should give charity (in a state when you are) healthy and close-fisted, one haunted by the fear of poverty, hoping to become rich
أن تتصدق وأنت صحيح شحيح تخشى الفقر وتأمل الغنىThat you should give charity (in a state when you are) healthy and close-fisted, one haunted by the fear of poverty, hoping to become rich (charity in such a state of health and mind is the best). And you must not defer (charity to such a length) that you are about to die
أن تصدق وأنت صحيح شحيح تخشى الفقر وتأمل الغنى ولا تمهل حتى إذا بلغت الحلقومDo not delay it to the time of approaching death and then say, 'Give so much to such and such, and so much to such and such.' And it has already belonged to such and such (as it is too late).
ولا تمهل حتى إذا بلغت الحلقوم قلت لفلان كذا ولفلان كذا وقد كان لفلان كذاAnd this is sufficient, and praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds.