12/14. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1001a — Reward for Spending on Children
The virtue of spending and giving charity to relatives, spuses, children and parents, even if they are idolaters
Hadith About Reward for Spending on Children
Sahih Muslim : 1001a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1001a
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ زَيْنَبَ بِنْتِ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ أُمِّ سَلَمَةَ، قَالَتْ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ هَلْ لِي أَجْرٌ فِي بَنِي أَبِي سَلَمَةَ أُنْفِقُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَسْتُ بِتَارِكَتِهِمْ هَكَذَا وَهَكَذَا إِنَّمَا هُمْ بَنِيَّ . فَقَالَ " نَعَمْ لَكِ فِيهِمْ أَجْرُ مَا أَنْفَقْتِ عَلَيْهِمْ " .
Umm Salamah Narrated from:
I asked the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) whether there is a reward for me if I spend on Abu Salama's sons, and I am not going to abandon them in this state (of helplessness) for they are my sons. He (the Holy Prophet) said: Yes. For you is the reward for what you spend on them.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1001aIn-book reference : Book 12, Hadith 57USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 5, Hadith 2190
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1001a
This Hadith about spending on children records Umm Salama’s question to the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم. She asked whether she would have a reward if she spent on the sons of Abu Salama, explaining that she would not leave them helpless because they were her sons. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم answered yes, and said she would have the reward for what she spent on them. The Hadith is direct and comforting. Caring for children in one’s household is not only a family act. It can be rewarded when money is spent on them. The text keeps the focus on real care, helplessness, and responsibility.
What we learn from this hadith
- Umm Salama cared about supporting children under her responsibility.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم confirmed reward for what she spent on them.
- The Hadith connects family support with reward.
- Children’s needs should not be abandoned when one is able to help.
