PROPHET MUHAMMAD (SAWS) LOVED THE POOR

The Prophet Muhammad (saws) said: “O Allah, grant me life as a poor man, cause me to die as a poor man and resurrect me in the company of the poor.” His wife asked him why he said that, and he replied: “Because (the poor) will enter Paradise (before) the rich. Do not turn away a poor man even if all you can give is half a date. If you love the poor and bring them near you God will bring you near Him on the Day of Resurrection.”
(Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1376)

SAVE YOURSELF

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Save yourself from hellfire by giving even half a date-fruit in charity.”

(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 498)

ADVISE TO A RICH MAN

A man once said to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “I have plenty of property, a large family, a great deal of money, and I am a gracious host to my guests. Tell me how to conduct my life and how to spend (my money).” The Prophet replied: “Give (regular charity) out of your property, for truly it is a purifier, and be kind to your relatives and acknowledge the rights of the poor, neighbors and (those in need who seek your help).”
(Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 3)

DON’T DELAY GIVING IN CHARITY

The Prophet (saws) said: “Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.”

(Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 589)

IMPORTANCE OF CHARITY

The Prophet Muhammad (saws) said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.”

(Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 604)

The Prophet (saws) said: “Every act of goodness is charity.”

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 496)

EVERY MUSLIM MUST GIVE IN CHARITY

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Every Muslim has to give in charity.” The people then asked: “(But what) if someone has nothing to give, what should he do?” The Prophet replied: “He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns).” The people further asked: “If he cannot find even that?” He replied: “He should help the needy who appeal for help.” Then the people asked: “If he cannot do (even) that?” The Prophet said finally: “Then he should perform good deeds and keep away from evil deeds, and that will be regarded as charitable deeds.”

(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadith 524)

CHARITY AND PAYING DEBTS ENCOURAGED

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “If I had (a mountain of) gold, I would love that, before three days had passed, not a single (coin) thereof remained with me if I found somebody to accept it (as charity), excluding some amount that I would keep for the payment of my debts.”
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Hadith 334)

SMILING IS CHARITY

The Prophet Muhammad (saws) said: “Charity is prescribed for each descendant of Adam every day the sun rises.” He was then asked: “From what do we give charity every day?” The Prophet answered: “The doors of goodness are many…enjoining good, forbidding evil, removing harm from the road, listening to the deaf, leading the blind, guiding one to the object of his need, hurrying with the strength of one’s legs to one in sorrow who is asking for help, and supporting the feeble with the strength of one’s arms – all of these are charity prescribed for you.” He also said: “Your smile for your brother is charity.”

(Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Volume 3, Number 98)

BEST FORM OF CHARITY

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Shall I guide you to the best (form of) charity? It is to provide for your daughter when she (returns) to you (because of divorce or other circumstances) and has no one but you to provide for her.”

(Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 1296)