12/14. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 1002a — Family Spending Counts as Sadaqa
The virtue of spending and giving charity to relatives, spuses, children and parents, even if they are idolaters
Hadith About Family Spending as Sadaqa
Sahih Muslim : 1002a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 1002a
حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مُعَاذٍ الْعَنْبَرِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ عَدِيٍّ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ ثَابِتٍ - عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ أَبِي مَسْعُودٍ الْبَدْرِيِّ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمَ إِذَا أَنْفَقَ عَلَى أَهْلِهِ نَفَقَةً وَهُوَ يَحْتَسِبُهَا كَانَتْ لَهُ صَدَقَةً " .
Abu Mas'ud Narrated from:
Abu Mas'ud reported Allah's Messenger (way peace be upon him) as saying: When a Muslim spends on his family seeking reward for it from Allah, it counts for him as sadaqa.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1002aIn-book reference : Book 12, Hadith 59USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 5, Hadith 2192
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 1002a
This Hadith about family spending as sadaqa gives a short but important rule. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم says that when a Muslim spends on his family while seeking reward from Allah, it counts for him as sadaqa. The wording matters. It mentions spending on family and also mentions intention, meaning the person seeks reward for it. Daily family expenses can feel ordinary, but this Hadith teaches that they can become a rewarded act when done with the right aim. The text does not ask a person to ignore other charity. It simply gives value to the necessary spending that supports one’s household.
What we learn from this hadith
- Spending on family can count as sadaqa.
- The Hadith mentions seeking reward from Allah while spending.
- Ordinary family expenses can carry spiritual value.
- A Muslim should not look down on caring for his household.
