The benefits of the verse: “And when the near relatives, the orphans, and the poor are present at the distribution, provide for them from it and speak to them words of kindness.”

In this noble verse, there are several benefits: It commands the one who distributes wealth, when these three categories are present—relatives, orphans, and the poor—to give to them from it. Is the command obligatory? It is possible that it is obligatory, and it is possible that it is recommended, because it is a command regarding etiquette. Some scholars have said: All commands related to etiquette and good morals are for recommendation. In any case, the important point is to say that the command is to give to those who are present at the distribution. Among its benefits is the permissibility of distributing shared wealth in the presence of non-partners. Where is this taken from? From His saying: , because the partners have a share without us being commanded to give to them. Among its benefits is what Islam brought of high etiquette and noble morals, where we were commanded to give to those who were present at the distribution, because their hearts are attached to wealth and they are eager for it. Therefore, the Shari'ah commanded giving to them. Among its benefits is that commands may be left to the discretion of the one commanded, without being specified. This is based on His saying: , and it did not say one-third, one-fourth, or one-tenth, but left this general, returning to the generosity of the giver on one hand, and to the abundance of the wealth on the other. Among its benefits is that doing good to relatives is better than doing good to an orphan or a poor person. The reason for this is that they were mentioned first. For this reason, when one of the Mothers of the Believers informed the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that she had freed a slave girl, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to her: “If you had given to her—meaning her relatives—it would have been better for you.” This indicates that maintaining family ties is better than giving to distant people. Among its benefits is the care of the Shari'ah, indeed the care of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), for the weak who are deserving of care. Where is this taken from? From , because the orphan is young and his heart is broken due to the loss of his father, and he needs care and attention. The poor person is likewise, a poor and humble person who needs someone to console his humility, quench his thirst, and cover his nakedness. Among its benefits is that it is recommended for one who gives something to someone to speak to him with kind words that please his heart and keep him away from being reminded of the gift, because reminding someone of a gift is a major sin. Reminding someone of charity is among the major sins, and it invalidates the reward, as Allah the Exalted said: . Among its benefits is the combining of verbal and practical kindness. The practical kindness is from His saying: , and the verbal kindness is: .