Hadith on Charity: Spend in the Way of Allah

📖 Sahih al-Bukhari 5352
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Allah said, ‘O son of Adam! Spend, and I shall spend on you.’”

Context: Allah’s Promise to All Humans

• The phrase “O son of Adam” means that this is a universal principle that applies to every human being, regardless of faith.
• It teaches that generosity leads to divine provision, meaning that when a person gives, Allah replaces and increases their wealth in ways they may not expect.

What Does “Spend” Mean Here?

• Spending doesn’t only refer to charity for Muslims but extends to helping anyone in need, whether they are Muslim or not.
• This includes:
  1. Helping the poor and needy – Giving money, food, or support to anyone in distress.
  2. Providing for one’s family – Taking care of dependents with a sincere intention.
  3. Contributing to society – Supporting education, healthcare, or any cause that benefits people.

📖Surah Al-Baqarah (2:261)
“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed of grain that sprouts seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is All-Encompassing and Knowing.”

📖Surah Al-Isra (17:7)
“If you do good, you do good for yourselves; and if you do evil, [you do it] to yourselves.”

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Why Does Allah Not Help Directly but Commands Us to Help Others?

Allah is fully capable of providing for everyone, yet He commands humans to help one another as a test of compassion and responsibility:

1. Wealth is a test – Allah gives some people more to see if they will be generous.
2. A means of purification – Charity cleanses greed and selfishness.
3. A way to earn rewards – By helping others, a person gains Allah’s blessings.
4. Allah’s system of cause and effect – Instead of direct intervention, Allah has set up a system where people support each other.

📖Surah Al-Baqarah (2:195)
“And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw [yourselves] into destruction. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.

“📖Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:2)
“Help one another in righteousness and piety, but do not help one another in sin and transgression.”

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All People Being the Children of Adam

📖Sunan al-Tirmidhī 3270
The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“O you people! Verily Allah has removed the slogans of Jahiliyyah from you, and its reverence of its forefathers. So, now there are two types of men: A man who is righteous, has Taqwa, and is honorable before Allah, and a wicked man, who is miserable and insignificant to Allah. People are children of Adam and Allah created Adam from the dust.

This hadith, although it was addressed to the Arabs of the Prophet’s time, carries a universal message that applies to all of humanity. The Prophet (ﷺ) is emphasizing that in the eyes of Allah, human dignity and honor are not determined by race, lineage, or social status. In pre-Islamic Arabia (Jahiliyyah), people held their tribal affiliations, ancestors, and lineage in the highest regard, often leading to pride and superiority over others. The Prophet (ﷺ) removes these notions, stating that all people are equal, as they are all descendants of Adam, While the initial context was aimed at the Arabs, the message transcends this and applies to all human beings. The true distinction in the sight of Allah is not based on ethnicity or lineage, but on righteousness (Taqwa) and one’s actions. This reflects the idea that Allah does not care about worldly markers of identity but rather evaluates people based on their faith and conduct.

The two types of men mentioned in the hadith are:

1. The righteous person, who fears Allah (Taqwa) and lives by His guidance, is honored before Allah.
2. The wicked person, who turns away from Allah’s guidance and acts in disregard of His commands, is insignificant to Allah.

Even though all humans are equal as the children of Adam, the key to true dignity before Allah lies in accepting His guidance, submitting to His will, and living a life of righteousness. It is not enough to merely be born a human; one must actively choose to follow the path of righteousness. Therefore, while all of humanity shares a common origin and equal worth in the sight of Allah, acceptance of His guidance and striving for goodness through faith and good deeds is what ultimately determines one’s success in this life and the Hereafter, This universal message reinforces that despite our diverse backgrounds, the true measure of our honor and value in Allah’s eyes is our righteousness, and this can only be achieved through faith in Him and obedience to His commandments.

📖Qur’an 49:13
O you people! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honorable of you with Allah is the one who has most Taqwa. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware.”

🔹 This hadith confirms that all humans, regardless of faith, are children of Adam, and the only true distinction is based on righteousness (Taqwa), not lineage, nationality, or wealth.

📖Surah Ash-Shura (42:20)
“Whoever desires the reward of this world, then with Allah is the reward of this world and the Hereafter. And Allah is Ever All-Hearing, All-Seeing.”

The verse from Surah Ash-Shura (42:20) highlights that anyone, regardless of their faith, who performs good deeds with the intention of receiving a reward will be granted their reward by Allah. This reward is not limited to Muslims but can also apply to non-Muslims, provided their actions are sincere. However, it is important to understand that it is impossible for us to fully know how Allah distributes His provisions and rewards, as it depends on our actions and the sincerity behind them, While Allah may grant wealth, success, or assistance in this world, even to those who reject Him—this does not mean that worldly success is an indicator of divine approval. Even when a person gives charity, helps others, or strives for good in the world, if they consciously reject belief in Allah, they may still receive temporal rewards. These actions, while good in themselves, cannot replace the foundational belief in Allah, which is the key to eternal success, The essence of spending, both in the sense of material wealth and in good deeds, lies in the consciousness of Allah’s presence and submission to His will. Spending, in this sense, is not just about receiving from Allah directly, but about recognizing that He has provided the means, whether it be knowledge, resources, or opportunities, through which we can find ways to do good. Allah enables us to have the knowledge, resources, and opportunities to act righteously, and it is our responsibility to use these blessings in the right way. Without recognizing and submitting to Allah, even acts of charity or goodness in this world cannot lead to true and everlasting success in the Hereafter, True success is found in following Allah’s guidance, as this is the ultimate key to salvation and eternal reward.