The superiority of early Charity

Sahih al-Bukhari 1419
Narrated Abu Huraira: A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and asked, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Which charity is the most superior in reward?” He replied, “The charity which you practice while you are healthy, niggardly and afraid of poverty and wish to become wealthy. Do not delay it to the time of approaching death and then say, ‘Give so much to such and such, and so much to such and such.’ And it has already belonged to such and such (as it is too late).”

From this hadith, we can learn the following lessons:

1. The virtue of practicing charity: The hadith highlights the importance of engaging in charitable acts. It implies that charity holds great reward in the sight of Allah, and it is highly recommended for believers to engage in acts of charity.
2. The best time for charity: The hadith emphasizes the superiority of giving charity when one is in good health, but still experiences fear of poverty and desires wealth. This indicates that the act of giving in such circumstances demonstrates sincerity and a genuine desire to help others, rather than giving out of surplus wealth or as a mere formality.
3. Avoiding delay in charity: The hadith advises against delaying acts of charity until one is on the verge of death. It encourages believers to give their charity promptly and not to procrastinate, as they may lose the opportunity to give or distribute their wealth as intended.
4. Intention and ownership of charity: The hadith warns against delaying charity until the last moments of life and then attempting to allocate it to certain individuals or causes. It implies that once death approaches, the ownership of wealth is no longer in the hands of the individual, and the intended recipients may not receive the intended benefits. Therefore, it is recommended to plan and give charity while one is able to ensure that it reaches the intended recipients.

Overall, this hadith emphasizes the significance of practicing charity, the importance of sincerity and intention in giving, and the need to avoid delay in acts of charity.

Why Doesn’t Allah Help Directly?

A common question arises: Why does Allah not directly help the poor and needy instead of making humans responsible for charity?

📖Surah Al-Hashr (59:7)
“… so that wealth does not merely circulate among the rich among you.”

This verse shows that Allah has designed the system of wealth distribution so that people share and support each other, preventing extreme inequality.

📖Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:48)
“… And if Allah had willed, He could have made you one nation [united in wealth], but [He tests you in what He has given you].”

Allah’s wisdom in not directly providing for everyone is a test of human responsibility. Wealth is a trial; some are tested with abundance (to see if they share), while others are tested with hardship (to see if they remain patient and grateful).

Logical Explanation:

1. Human Beings Are a Means for Good:

   • Allah gives people wealth, skills, and opportunities, expecting them to use them for good. If Allah directly helped everyone, it would eliminate the test of generosity and compassion.

2. A Test of Faith and Compassion:

   • Wealth is not a blessing in itself—it is a test. Those who have it are tested in whether they share, and those without it are tested in patience and faith.

3. Building a Supportive Society:

   • If Allah gave everyone wealth directly, there would be no need for human connection, kindness, or generosity. Acts like charity, support, and care for one another are what build a strong and loving community.

4. Moral Growth and Responsibility:

   • Struggles and acts of kindness build character. If all needs were automatically fulfilled, people would have no motivation to work hard, help others, or grow spiritually.

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Conclusion:

This hadith highlights the significance of charity and why it is best given when it truly requires sacrifice. Allah does not help directly because the world is a test—humanity is responsible for sharing wealth and resources, ensuring fairness, and showing kindness. By making charity a duty, Allah nurtures love, empathy, and social responsibility in society.