12/14. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 998a — Giving What You Love
The virtue of spending and giving charity to relatives, spuses, children and parents, even if they are idolaters
Hadith About Giving What You Love in Charity
Sahih Muslim : 998a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 998a
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي، طَلْحَةَ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَنَسَ بْنَ مَالِكٍ، يَقُولُ كَانَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ أَكْثَرَ أَنْصَارِيٍّ بِالْمَدِينَةِ مَالاً وَكَانَ أَحَبَّ أَمْوَالِهِ إِلَيْهِ بَيْرَحَى وَكَانَتْ مُسْتَقْبِلَةَ الْمَسْجِدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَدْخُلُهَا وَيَشْرَبُ مِنْ مَاءٍ فِيهَا طَيِّبٍ . قَالَ أَنَسٌ فَلَمَّا نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ { لَنْ تَنَالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتَّى تُنْفِقُوا مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ} قَامَ أَبُو طَلْحَةَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَقُولُ فِي كِتَابِهِ { لَنْ تَنَالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتَّى تُنْفِقُوا مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ} وَإِنَّ أَحَبَّ أَمْوَالِي إِلَىَّ بَيْرَحَى وَإِنَّهَا صَدَقَةٌ لِلَّهِ أَرْجُو بِرَّهَا وَذُخْرَهَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ فَضَعْهَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ حَيْثُ شِئْتَ . قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " بَخْ ذَلِكَ مَالٌ رَابِحٌ ذَلِكَ مَالٌ رَابِحٌ قَدْ سَمِعْتُ مَا قُلْتَ فِيهَا وَإِنِّي أَرَى أَنْ تَجْعَلَهَا فِي الأَقْرَبِينَ " . فَقَسَمَهَا أَبُو طَلْحَةَ فِي أَقَارِبِهِ وَبَنِي عَمِّهِ .
Anas bin Malik Narrated from:
Abu Talha was the one among the Ansar of Medina who possessed the largest property and among his property he valued most was his garden known as Bairaha' which was opposite the mosque, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) often visited it and he drank of its sweet water.When this verse was revealed: "You will never attain righteousness till you give freely of what you love" (iii. 91), Abu Talha got up and, going to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ), said: Allah says in His Book: "You will never attain righteousness till you give freely of what you love," and the dearest of my property is Bairaha' so I give it as Sadaqa to God from Whom I hope for reward for it and the treasure with Allah; so spend it, Messenger of Allah, on whatever purpose you deem it proper. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Well done! that is a profitable deal, that is a profitable deal. I have heard what you have said, but I think you should spend it on your nearest relatives. So Abu Talha distributed it among the nearest relatives and his cousins on his father's side.
[1] Al-‘Imrân 3:92. [1] Âl-'Imrân 3:92.Reference : Sahih Muslim 998aIn-book reference : Book 12, Hadith 52USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 5, Hadith 2185
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 998a
This Hadith about giving what you love tells the story of Abu Talha and his garden Bairaha. It was among his dearest property, opposite the mosque, and the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم used to enter it and drink from its sweet water. When the verse was revealed about not attaining righteousness until giving from what one loves, Abu Talha offered that garden as sadaqa for Allah. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم praised it as a profitable property and advised him to place it among his nearest relatives. Abu Talha then distributed it among his relatives and cousins. The Hadith joins sincere giving with care for kin.
What we learn from this hadith
- Abu Talha gave from property he loved dearly.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم praised this act of giving.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم advised placing that charity among nearest relatives.
- Sincere sadaqa can include helping one’s own kin.
