9/28. Chapter:
Sunan Abi Dawud 1649 — Give From What Is Surplus
On Abstinence From Begging
Hadith About Giving Surplus Charity in Islam
Sunan Abi Dawud : 1649
Sunan Abi DawudHadith Number 1649
حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ حَنْبَلٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبِيدَةُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ التَّيْمِيُّ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو الزَّعْرَاءِ، عَنْ أَبِي الأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، مَالِكِ بْنِ نَضْلَةَ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " الأَيْدِي ثَلاَثَةٌ فَيَدُ اللَّهِ الْعُلْيَا وَيَدُ الْمُعْطِي الَّتِي تَلِيهَا وَيَدُ السَّائِلِ السُّفْلَى فَأَعْطِ الْفَضْلَ وَلاَ تَعْجِزْ عَنْ نَفْسِكَ " .
Malik ibn Nadlah Narrated from:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: Hands are of three types: Allah's hand is the upper one; the bestower's hand is the one near it; the beggar's hand is the lower one. So bestow what is surplus, and do not submit yourself to the demand of your soul.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 1649In-book reference : Book 9, Hadith 94English translation : Book 9, Hadith 1645
Summary of Sunan Abi Dawud Hadith 1649
This Hadith about giving surplus charity explains hands in three levels. Allah’s hand is the upper one. The hand of the giver comes near it. The hand of the beggar is the lower one. Then the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم gives a direct instruction: give what is surplus, and do not submit yourself to the demand of your soul. The teaching is practical. It does not call a person to harm his own needs, because it mentions surplus. At the same time, it warns the person not to let the inner pull for more stop him from giving. The Hadith joins generosity with self-control and makes charity a way to rise above selfish desire.
What we learn from this hadith
- Giving from surplus is praised in the Hadith.
- A person should not let inner desire stop needed generosity.
- The giver’s hand is honored above the hand that asks.
