Charity from the poor surpasses the rich
📖Sunan al-Nasa’i 2528
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “One silver coin is ahead of one hundred thousand others.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, how is it so?” The Prophet said, “A man has only two coins, so he takes one and gives it in charity. Another man has abundant wealth, so he takes one hundred thousand coins from a mere portion of it and gives it in charity.”
Description
This hadith from Abu Huraira (RA) highlights a profound truth about charity: the value of a donation is not measured solely by its amount, but by the proportion it represents of a person’s wealth and the sincerity behind it. The Prophet ﷺ gave the example of a poor man with only two coins, who gives one in charity – half of everything he owns. By comparison, a wealthy man donates 100,000 coins, but from a huge fortune. The poor man’s sacrifice, though numerically small, carries greater weight before Allah because of the sincerity and difficulty of parting with what he needs.
Poor Man’s Charity vs Rich Man’s Charity
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Poor Man’s Charity:
- How: Gives from necessity, often sacrificing personal comfort or security.
- Value: High in Allah’s sight because it shows deep trust in Him, selflessness, and sincerity.
- Impact on self: Builds patience, reliance on Allah, and detachment from worldly possessions.
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Rich Man’s Charity:
- How: Gives from surplus wealth, often without feeling a personal loss.
- Value: Still rewarded, but less impactful if it doesn’t require sacrifice.
- Impact on self: Can be an act of gratitude and a reminder that wealth is a trust from Allah.
What We Learn Today
- The percentage of sacrifice matters more than the amount given.
- True charity is measured by sincerity, not numbers.
- Those with less should never think their giving is insignificant; even the smallest sincere act is huge before Allah.
- Those with more wealth should aim to give in ways that cause them to feel the sacrifice, not just from excess.
- In a world driven by public fundraising numbers, this hadith reminds us that Allah’s scale is different from human calculations.
Qur’an Verses in Context
📖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 there are a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.”
📖Surah Aal ‘Imran 3:92
Never will you attain righteousness until you spend from that which you love. And whatever you spend – indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.”