8/19. Chapter:
Sunan Ibn Majah 1821 — Give Better Charity
Prohibition of giving the worst of one's wealth as sadaqah
Give Better Charity: A Hadith on Sincere Giving
Sunan Ibn Majah : 1821
Sunan Ibn MajahHadith Number 1821
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بِشْرٍ، بَكْرُ بْنُ خَلَفٍ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْحَمِيدِ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنِي صَالِحُ بْنُ أَبِي عَرِيبٍ، عَنْ كَثِيرِ بْنِ مُرَّةَ الْحَضْرَمِيِّ، عَنْ عَوْفِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ الأَشْجَعِيِّ، قَالَ خَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ وَقَدْ عَلَّقَ رَجُلٌ قِنَاءً أَوْ قِنْوًا وَبِيَدِهِ عَصًا فَجَعَلَ يَطْعَنُ بِذَلِكَ يُدَقْدِقُ فِي ذَلِكَ الْقِنْوِ وَيَقُولُ " لَوْ شَاءَ رَبُّ هَذِهِ الصَّدَقَةِ تَصَدَّقَ بِأَطْيَبَ مِنْهَا إِنَّ رَبَّ هَذِهِ الصَّدَقَةِ يَأْكُلُ الْحَشَفَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ " .
‘Awf bin Malik Al-Ashja’i Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah went out, and a man had hung up one or more bunches of dates. He (the Prophet) had a stick in his hand and he started hitting that bunch of dates repeatedly, saying: 'If the owner of these dates wanted to give in charity, he should have given something better than these. The owner of this charity will eat rotten and shriveled dates on the Day of Resurrection.' ”
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 1821In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 39English translation : Vol. 3, Book 8, Hadith 1821
Summary of Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith 1821
This Hadith teaches a clear lesson about giving charity in Islam. A man had hung up a bunch of dates, but the dates were rotten and shriveled. The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم pointed to them and said that if the owner wanted to give charity, he should have given something better. The main message is simple: charity is not just about giving something away; it is about giving with respect and honesty. The Hadith about giving good charity reminds us not to choose the worst part of our wealth for others. When a person gives, the gift should show care, not neglect. This is a strong reminder about sincerity in sadaqah.
What we learn from this hadith
- Charity should be given from what is decent and acceptable.
- A person should not choose poor-quality items while giving to others.
- Giving charity requires sincerity, care, and respect for the recipient.
- The Hadith warns against treating charity as a place to discard unwanted goods.
