Nurturing Ties and Giving to the Needy
📖Jami` at-Tirmidhi 658
Hafsah bint Sirin narrated from Ar-Rabab, from her uncle Salman bin Amir:
“The Prophet (ﷺ) said: ‘When one of you breaks his fast, then let him do so with dried dates, for they are blessed. Whoever does not find dates, then water, for it is purifying.’ And he said: ‘Charity given to the needy is (counted as) charity, and if it is given to relatives, it is (counted as) two: charity and nurturing (the ties of kinship).’”
Explanation & Lessons from the Hadith:
1️⃣ Breaking Fast with Dates – A Sunnah and a Blessing
🔹 The Prophet (ﷺ) specifically recommended breaking the fast with dates because they are naturally rich in nutrients, quick to restore energy, and easy to digest.
🔹 This shows the wisdom in prophetic teachings—encouraging the consumption of what is beneficial both physically and spiritually.
2️⃣ Water – A Purifier and a Sign of Gratitude
🔹 If dates are unavailable, water is the best alternative. Water is pure, essential for life, and signifies gratitude to Allah for His blessings.
🔹 This highlights the simplicity of Islam—no need for extravagant meals; rather, humility and appreciation for basic provisions are emphasized.
3️⃣ The Virtue of Charity – Islam’s Social Justice System
🔹 The Prophet (ﷺ) reminds believers of the importance of giving charity (Sadaqah). It is a means to purify wealth, support those in need, and maintain social balance.
🔹 Charity given to relatives holds double reward—it is both a financial support and a means to strengthen family bonds.
Qur’anic Context & Allah’s Command to Help Others:
📖Surah Al-Baqarah 2:267
“O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth…”
🔹 This verse commands Muslims to give from their wealth, showing that Allah expects humans to take responsibility for helping others.
📖Surah Al-Baqarah 2:177
“Righteousness is not turning your faces toward the east or the west, but righteousness is in one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, and the Prophets, and gives wealth, despite love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves…”
🔹 True righteousness is not just about prayer and rituals but about actively helping others through generosity.
📖Surah Al-Dhariyat 51:19
“And in their wealth is a recognized right for the needy and the deprived.”
🔹 Islam does not consider charity optional—it is a duty to redistribute wealth to support the poor.
Why Doesn’t Allah Help Directly?
Some people question: “Why doesn’t Allah feed the poor Himself? Why does He command us to help?” The answer is simple: Allah has given humans free will, responsibility, and the ability to act. If Allah directly solved every problem, there would be:
❌ No need for commands – because everything would be done for us.
❌ No test of character – since humans wouldn’t have the opportunity to show compassion or greed.
❌ No purpose for life’s challenges – because faith and action would become meaningless.
📖Surah Al-An’am 6:165
“And it is He who has made you successors (khulafa) upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in rank so that He may test you through what He has given you…”
🔹 Allah deliberately entrusted humans with free will to see who will act righteously and who will be selfish.
📖Surah Al-Insan 76:3
“Indeed, We guided him to the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful.”
🔹 Humans are given choices—they decide whether to help others or ignore their suffering.
📖Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:8
“O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice…”
🔹 Allah commands humans to be just because justice requires action—it does not happen automatically.