Sahih Muslim

Abdullah b. Umar reported that as Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was sitting on the pulpit and talking about Sadaqa and abstention from begging, he said:

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ أَنَسٍ، فِيمَا قُرِئَ عَلَيْهِ عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ، اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ وَهُوَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ وَهُوَ يَذْكُرُ الصَّدَقَةَ وَالتَّعَفُّفَ عَنِ الْمَسْأَلَةِ ‏ "‏ الْيَدُ الْعُلْيَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْيَدِ السُّفْلَى وَالْيَدُ الْعُلْيَا الْمُنْفِقَةُ وَالسُّفْلَى السَّائِلَةُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

The upper hand is better than the lower one, the upper being the one which bestows and the lower one which begs.

Hakim b. Hizam reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) having said this:

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ، وَأَحْمَدُ بْنُ عَبْدَةَ، جَمِيعًا عَنْ يَحْيَى الْقَطَّانِ، - قَالَ ابْنُ بَشَّارٍ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، - حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عُثْمَانَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ مُوسَى بْنَ طَلْحَةَ، يُحَدِّثُ أَنَّ حَكِيمَ بْنَ حِزَامٍ، حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ أَفْضَلُ الصَّدَقَةِ - أَوْ خَيْرُ الصَّدَقَةِ - عَنْ ظَهْرِ غِنًى وَالْيَدُ الْعُلْيَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْيَدِ السُّفْلَى وَابْدَأْ بِمَنْ تَعُولُ ‏"‏‏.‏

The most excellent Sadaqa or the best of Sadaqa is that after giving which the (giver) remains rich and the upper hand is better than the lower hand, and begin from the members of your household.

Hakim b. Hizam reported:

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَعَمْرٌو النَّاقِدُ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ بْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ، وَسَعِيدٍ، عَنْ حَكِيمِ بْنِ حِزَامٍ، قَالَ سَأَلْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَعْطَانِي ثُمَّ سَأَلْتُهُ فَأَعْطَانِي ثُمَّ سَأَلْتُهُ فَأَعْطَانِي ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏ "‏ إِنَّ هَذَا الْمَالَ خَضِرَةٌ حُلْوَةٌ فَمَنْ أَخَذَهُ بِطِيبِ نَفْسٍ بُورِكَ لَهُ فِيهِ وَمَنْ أَخَذَهُ بِإِشْرَافِ نَفْسٍ لَمْ يُبَارَكْ لَهُ فِيهِ وَكَانَ كَالَّذِي يَأْكُلُ وَلاَ يَشْبَعُ وَالْيَدُ الْعُلْيَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْيَدِ السُّفْلَى ‏"‏ ‏.‏

I begged the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), and he gave me. I again begged, he again gave me. I again begged, he again gave me, and then said: This property is green and sweet; he who receives it with a cheerful heart is blessed in it, and he who receives it with an avaricious mind would not be blessed in it, he being like one who eats without being satished, and the upper hand is better thad the lower hand.

Abu Umama reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

حَدَّثَنَا نَصْرُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْجَهْضَمِيُّ، وَزُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، وَعَبْدُ بْنُ حُمَيْدٍ، قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ يُونُسَ، حَدَّثَنَا عِكْرِمَةُ بْنُ عَمَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شَدَّادٌ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا أُمَامَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ إِنَّكَ أَنْ تَبْذُلَ الْفَضْلَ خَيْرٌ لَكَ وَأَنْ تُمْسِكَهُ شَرٌّ لَكَ وَلاَ تُلاَمُ عَلَى كَفَافٍ وَابْدَأْ بِمَنْ تَعُولُ وَالْيَدُ الْعُلْيَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْيَدِ السُّفْلَى ‏"‏.

O son of Adam, it is better for you if you spend your surplus (wealth), but if you withhold it, it is evil for you. There is (however) no reproach for you (if you withhold means necessary) for a living. And begin (charity) with your dependents; and the upper hand is better than the lower hand.

Mu'awiya said:

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا زَيْدُ بْنُ الْحُبَابِ، أَخْبَرَنِي مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ صَالِحٍ، حَدَّثَنِي رَبِيعَةُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ الدِّمَشْقِيُّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَامِرٍ الْيَحْصَبِيِّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ مُعَاوِيَةَ، يَقُولُ إِيَّاكُمْ وَأَحَادِيثَ إِلاَّ حَدِيثًا كَانَ فِي عَهْدِ عُمَرَ فَإِنَّ عُمَرَ كَانَ يُخِيفُ النَّاسَ فِي اللَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَهُوَ يَقُولُ ‏"‏ مَنْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ بِهِ خَيْرًا يُفَقِّهْهُ فِي الدِّينِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ وَسَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏"‏ إِنَّمَا أَنَا خَازِنٌ فَمَنْ أَعْطَيْتُهُ عَنْ طِيبِ نَفْسٍ فَيُبَارَكُ لَهُ فِيهِ وَمَنْ أَعْطَيْتُهُ عَنْ مَسْأَلَةٍ وَشَرَهٍ كَانَ كَالَّذِي يَأْكُلُ وَلاَ يَشْبَعُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Be cautious about ahadith except those which were current during the reign of Umar, for he exhorted people to fear Allah, the Exalted and mMajestic. I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: He upon whom Allah intends to bestow goodness, He confers upon him an insight in religion; and I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying: I am the treasurer. To one whom I give out of (my own) sweet will, he would be blessed in that, but he whom I give (yielding to) his constant begging and for his covetousness is like one who would eat, but would not be satisfied.

Mu'awiya reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ نُمَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ وَهْبِ بْنِ مُنَبِّهٍ، عَنْ أَخِيهِ، هَمَّامٍ عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ لاَ تُلْحِفُوا فِي الْمَسْأَلَةِ فَوَاللَّهِ لاَ يَسْأَلُنِي أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ شَيْئًا فَتُخْرِجَ لَهُ مَسْأَلَتُهُ مِنِّي شَيْئًا وَأَنَا لَهُ كَارِهٌ فَيُبَارَكَ لَهُ فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتُهُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Do not press in a matter, for I swear by Allah, none of you who asks me for anything and manages to get his request while I disdain it, will he be blessed in that which I give him.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا الْمُغِيرَةُ، - يَعْنِي الْحِزَامِيَّ - عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ لَيْسَ الْمِسْكِينُ بِهَذَا الطَّوَّافِ الَّذِي يَطُوفُ عَلَى النَّاسِ فَتَرُدُّهُ اللُّقْمَةُ وَاللُّقْمَتَانِ وَالتَّمْرَةُ وَالتَّمْرَتَانِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالُوا فَمَا الْمِسْكِينُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ‏"‏ الَّذِي لاَ يَجِدُ غِنًى يُغْنِيهِ وَلاَ يُفْطَنُ لَهُ فَيُتَصَدَّقَ عَلَيْهِ وَلاَ يَسْأَلُ النَّاسَ شَيْئًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏

The poor man (miskin) is not the one who goes round to the people and is dismissed with one or two morsels. and one or two dates. They (the Prophet's Companions) said: Messenger of Allah, then who is miskin? He said: He who does not get enough to satisfy him, and he is not considered so (as to elicit the attention of the benevolent people), so that charity way be given to him. and he does not beg anything from people.

Hamza. son of 'Abdullah, reported on the authority of his father that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الأَعْلَى بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، عَنْ مَعْمَرٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ، أَخِي الزُّهْرِيِّ عَنْ حَمْزَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ لاَ تَزَالُ الْمَسْأَلَةُ بِأَحَدِكُمْ حَتَّى يَلْقَى اللَّهَ وَلَيْسَ فِي وَجْهِهِ مُزْعَةُ لَحْمٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

When a man is always begging from people. he would meet Allah (in a state) that there would be no flesh on his face.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو كُرَيْبٍ، وَوَاصِلُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ فُضَيْلٍ، عَنْ عُمَارَةَ بْنِ، الْقَعْقَاعِ عَنْ أَبِي زُرْعَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ مَنْ سَأَلَ النَّاسَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ تَكَثُّرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَسْأَلُ جَمْرًا فَلْيَسْتَقِلَّ أَوْ لِيَسْتَكْثِرْ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

He who begs the riches of others to increase his own is asking only for live coals, so let him ask a little or much.

Abu Huraira is reported to have heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as saying:

حَدَّثَنِي هَنَّادُ بْنُ السَّرِيِّ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ بَيَانٍ أَبِي بِشْرٍ، عَنْ قَيْسِ بْنِ، أَبِي حَازِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ "‏ لأَنْ يَغْدُوَ أَحَدُكُمْ فَيَحْطِبَ عَلَى ظَهْرِهِ فَيَتَصَدَّقَ بِهِ وَيَسْتَغْنِيَ بِهِ مِنَ النَّاسِ خَيْرٌ لَهُ مِنْ أَنْ يَسْأَلَ رَجُلاً أَعْطَاهُ أَوْ مَنَعَهُ ذَلِكَ فَإِنَّ الْيَدَ الْعُلْيَا أَفْضَلُ مِنَ الْيَدِ السُّفْلَى وَابْدَأْ بِمَنْ تَعُولُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

It is better for one among you to bring a load of firewood on his back and give charity out of it (and satisfy his own need) and be independent of people, than that he should beg from people, whether they give him anything or refuse him. Verily the upper hand is better than the lower hand, and begin (charity) with your dependents.

Malik al-Ashja'i reported:

حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الدَّارِمِيُّ، وَسَلَمَةُ بْنُ شَبِيبٍ، - قَالَ سَلَمَةُ حَدَّثَنَا وَقَالَ الدَّارِمِيُّ، أَخْبَرَنَا مَرْوَانُ، وَهُوَ ابْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ الدِّمَشْقِيُّ - حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدٌ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ - عَنْ رَبِيعَةَ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ أَبِي إِدْرِيسَ الْخَوْلاَنِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي مُسْلِمٍ الْخَوْلاَنِيِّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي الْحَبِيبُ الأَمِينُ، أَمَّا هُوَ فَحَبِيبٌ إِلَىَّ وَأَمَّا هُوَ عِنْدِي فَأَمِينٌ عَوْفُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ الأَشْجَعِيُّ قَالَ كُنَّا عِنْدَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم تِسْعَةً أَوْ ثَمَانِيَةً أَوْ سَبْعَةً فَقَالَ ‏"‏ أَلاَ تُبَايِعُونَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ‏"‏ وَكُنَّا حَدِيثَ عَهْدٍ بِبَيْعَةٍ فَقُلْنَا قَدْ بَايَعْنَاكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ أَلاَ تُبَايِعُونَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَقُلْنَا قَدْ بَايَعْنَاكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ أَلاَ تُبَايِعُونَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَبَسَطْنَا أَيْدِيَنَا وَقُلْنَا قَدْ بَايَعْنَاكَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَعَلاَمَ نُبَايِعُكَ قَالَ ‏"‏ عَلَى أَنْ تَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ وَلاَ تُشْرِكُوا بِهِ شَيْئًا وَالصَّلَوَاتِ الْخَمْسِ وَتُطِيعُوا - وَأَسَرَّ كَلِمَةً خَفِيَّةً - وَلاَ تَسْأَلُوا النَّاسَ شَيْئًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَلَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ بَعْضَ أُولَئِكَ النَّفَرِ يَسْقُطُ سَوْطُ أَحَدِهِمْ فَمَا يَسْأَلُ أَحَدًا يُنَاوِلُهُ إِيَّاهُ ‏.‏

We, nine, eight or seven men, were in the company of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and he said: Why don't you pledge allegiance to the Messenger of Allah? -while we had recently pledged allegiance. So we said: Messenger of Allah, we have already pledged allegiance to you. He again said: Why don't you pledge allegiance to the Messenger of Allah? And we said: Messenger of Allah, we have already pledged allegiance to you. He again said: Why don't you pledge allegiance to the Messenger of Allah? We stretched our hands and said: Messenger of Allah. we have already pledged allegiance to you. Now tell (on what things) should we pledge allegiance to you. He said I (You must pledge allegiance) that you would worship Allah only and would not associate with Him anything, (and observe) five prayers, and obey- (and he said onething in an undertone) -that you would not beg people of anything. (And as a consequence of that) I saw that some of these people did not ask anyone to pick up the whip for them if it fell down.

Qabisa b. Mukhariq al-Hilali said:

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، وَقُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، كِلاَهُمَا عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ، قَالَ يَحْيَى أَخْبَرَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ هَارُونَ بْنِ رِيَابٍ، حَدَّثَنِي كِنَانَةُ بْنُ نُعَيْمٍ الْعَدَوِيُّ، عَنْ قَبِيصَةَ بْنِ، مُخَارِقٍ الْهِلاَلِيِّ قَالَ تَحَمَّلْتُ حَمَالَةً فَأَتَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَسْأَلُهُ فِيهَا فَقَالَ ‏"‏ أَقِمْ حَتَّى تَأْتِيَنَا الصَّدَقَةُ فَنَأْمُرَ لَكَ بِهَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ يَا قَبِيصَةُ إِنَّ الْمَسْأَلَةَ لاَ تَحِلُّ إِلاَّ لأَحَدِ ثَلاَثَةٍ رَجُلٍ تَحَمَّلَ حَمَالَةً فَحَلَّتْ لَهُ الْمَسْأَلَةُ حَتَّى يُصِيبَهَا ثُمَّ يُمْسِكُ وَرَجُلٍ أَصَابَتْهُ جَائِحَةٌ اجْتَاحَتْ مَالَهُ فَحَلَّتْ لَهُ الْمَسْأَلَةُ حَتَّى يُصِيبَ قِوَامًا مِنْ عَيْشٍ - أَوْ قَالَ سِدَادًا مِنْ عَيْشٍ - وَرَجُلٍ أَصَابَتْهُ فَاقَةٌ حَتَّى يَقُومَ ثَلاَثَةٌ مِنْ ذَوِي الْحِجَا مِنْ قَوْمِهِ لَقَدْ أَصَابَتْ فُلاَنًا فَاقَةٌ فَحَلَّتْ لَهُ الْمَسْأَلَةُ حَتَّى يُصِيبَ قِوَامًا مِنْ عَيْشٍ - أَوْ قَالَ سِدَادًا مِنْ عَيْشٍ - فَمَا سِوَاهُنَّ مِنَ الْمَسْأَلَةِ يَا قَبِيصَةُ سُحْتًا يَأْكُلُهَا صَاحِبُهَا سُحْتًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏

I was under debt and I came to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and begged from him regarding it. He said: Wait till we receive Sadaqa, so that we order that to be given to you. He again said: Qabisa, begging is not permissible but for one of the three (classes) of persons: one who has incurred debt, for him begging is permissible till he pays that off, after which he must stop it; a man whose property has been destroyed by a calamity which has smitten him, for him begging is permissible till he gets what will support life, or will provide him reasonable subsistence; and a person who has been smitten by poverty. the genuineness of which is confirmed by three intelligent members of this peoples for him begging is permissible till he gets what will support him, or will provide him subsistence. Qabisa, besides these three (every other reason) for begging is forbidden, and one who engages in such consumes that what is forbidden.

Salim b. Abdullah b. 'Umar reported on the authority of his father ('Abdullah b. 'Umar) that he had heard 'Umar b. Khattab (Allah be pleased with him) saying:

وَحَدَّثَنَا هَارُونُ بْنُ مَعْرُوفٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ وَهْبٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي حَرْمَلَةُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي يُونُسُ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ سَالِمِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ، - رضى الله عنه - يَقُولُ قَدْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُعْطِينِي الْعَطَاءَ فَأَقُولُ أَعْطِهِ أَفْقَرَ إِلَيْهِ مِنِّي ‏.‏ حَتَّى أَعْطَانِي مَرَّةً مَالاً فَقُلْتُ أَعْطِهِ أَفْقَرَ إِلَيْهِ مِنِّي ‏.‏ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ خُذْهُ وَمَا جَاءَكَ مِنْ هَذَا الْمَالِ وَأَنْتَ غَيْرُ مُشْرِفٍ وَلاَ سَائِلٍ فَخُذْهُ وَمَا لاَ فَلاَ تُتْبِعْهُ نَفْسَكَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) gave me a gift, but I said: Give it to one who needs it more than I. He gave me wealth for the second time but I said: Give it to one who needs it more than I. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Take out of this wealth which comes to you without your being avaricious and without begging, but in other circumstance's do not let your heart hanker after it.

Abu Huraira reported from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) as having said this:

حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، يَبْلُغُ بِهِ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ قَلْبُ الشَّيْخِ شَابٌّ عَلَى حُبِّ اثْنَتَيْنِ حُبِّ الْعَيْشِ وَالْمَالِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

The heart of an old person feels young for the love of two things: love for long life and wealth.

Anas reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

وَحَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، وَسَعِيدُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، وَقُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، كُلُّهُمْ عَنْ أَبِي عَوَانَةَ، - قَالَ يَحْيَى أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، - عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ يَهْرَمُ ابْنُ آدَمَ وَتَشِبُّ مِنْهُ اثْنَتَانِ الْحِرْصُ عَلَى الْمَالِ وَالْحِرْصُ عَلَى الْعُمُرِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

The son of Adam grows old, but two (desires) in him remain young: desire for wealth and desire for life.

Anas reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، وَسَعِيدُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، وَقُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ يَحْيَى أَخْبَرَنَا وَقَالَ الآخَرَانِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ لَوْ كَانَ لاِبْنِ آدَمَ وَادِيَانِ مِنْ مَالٍ لاَبْتَغَى وَادِيًا ثَالِثًا وَلاَ يَمْلأُ جَوْفَ ابْنِ آدَمَ إِلاَّ التُّرَابُ وَيَتُوبُ اللَّهُ عَلَى مَنْ تَابَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

If the son of Adam were to possess two valleys of riches. he would long for the third one. And the stomach of the son of Adam is not filled but with dust. And Allah returns to him who repents.

Ibn Abbas reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

وَحَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، وَهَارُونُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا حَجَّاجُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَطَاءً، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ "‏ لَوْ أَنَّ لاِبْنِ آدَمَ مِلْءَ وَادٍ مَالاً لأَحَبَّ أَنْ يَكُونَ إِلَيْهِ مِثْلُهُ وَلاَ يَمْلأُ نَفْسَ ابْنِ آدَمَ إِلاَّ التُّرَابُ وَاللَّهُ يَتُوبُ عَلَى مَنْ تَابَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ فَلاَ أَدْرِي أَمِنَ الْقُرْآنِ هُوَ أَمْ لاَ ‏.‏ وَفِي رِوَايَةِ زُهَيْرٍ قَالَ فَلاَ أَدْرِي أَمِنَ الْقُرْآنِ ‏.‏ لَمْ يَذْكُرِ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ ‏.‏

If there were for the son of Adam a valley full of riches, he would long to possess another one like it. and Ibn Adam does not feel satiated but with dust. And Allah returns to him who returns (to Him). Ibn Abbas said: I do not know whether it is from the Qur'an or not; and in the narration transmitted by Zuhair it was said: I do not know whether it is from the Qur'an, and he made no mention of Ibn Abbas.

Abu Harb b. Abu al-Aswad reported on the authority of his father that Abu Musa al-Ash'ari sent for the reciters of Basra. They came to him and they were three hundred in number. They recited the Qur'an and he said:

حَدَّثَنِي سُوَيْدُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُسْهِرٍ، عَنْ دَاوُدَ، عَنْ أَبِي حَرْبِ بْنِ أَبِي، الأَسْوَدِ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ بَعَثَ أَبُو مُوسَى الأَشْعَرِيُّ إِلَى قُرَّاءِ أَهْلِ الْبَصْرَةِ فَدَخَلَ عَلَيْهِ ثَلاَثُمِائَةِ رَجُلٍ قَدْ قَرَءُوا الْقُرْآنَ فَقَالَ أَنْتُمْ خِيَارُ أَهْلِ الْبَصْرَةِ وَقُرَّاؤُهُمْ فَاتْلُوهُ وَلاَ يَطُولَنَّ عَلَيْكُمُ الأَمَدُ فَتَقْسُوَ قُلُوبُكُمْ كَمَا قَسَتْ قُلُوبُ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَكُمْ وَإِنَّا كُنَّا نَقْرَأُ سُورَةً كُنَّا نُشَبِّهُهَا فِي الطُّولِ وَالشِّدَّةِ بِبَرَاءَةَ فَأُنْسِيتُهَا غَيْرَ أَنِّي قَدْ حَفِظْتُ مِنْهَا لَوْ كَانَ لاِبْنِ آدَمَ وَادِيَانِ مِنْ مَالٍ لاَبْتَغَى وَادِيًا ثَالِثًا وَلاَ يَمْلأُ جَوْفَ ابْنِ آدَمَ إِلاَّ التُّرَابُ ‏.‏ وَكُنَّا نَقْرَأُ سُورَةً كُنَّا نُشَبِّهُهَا بِإِحْدَى الْمُسَبِّحَاتِ فَأُنْسِيتُهَا غَيْرَ أَنِّي حَفِظْتُ مِنْهَا ‏{‏ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لِمَ تَقُولُونَ مَا لاَ تَفْعَلُونَ‏}‏ فَتُكْتَبُ شَهَادَةً فِي أَعْنَاقِكُمْ فَتُسْأَلُونَ عَنْهَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ‏.‏

You are the best among the inhabitants of Basra, for you are the reciters among them. So continue to recite it. (But bear in mind) that your reciting for a long time may not harden your hearts as were hardened the hearts of those before you. We used to recite a surah which resembled in length and severity to (Surah) Bara'at. I have, however, forgotten it with the exception of this which I remember out of it:" If there were two valleys full of riches, for the son of Adam, he would long for a third valley, and nothing would fill the stomach of the son of Adam but dust." And we used so recite a surah which resembled one of the surahs of Musabbihat, and I have forgotten it, but remember (this much) out of it:" Oh people who believe, why do you say that which you do not practise" (lxi 2.) and" that is recorded in your necks as a witness (against you) and you would be asked about it on the Day of Resurrection" (xvii. 13).

Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had said:

حَدَّثَنَا زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، وَابْنُ، نُمَيْرٍ قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ بْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ لَيْسَ الْغِنَى عَنْ كَثْرَةِ الْعَرَضِ وَلَكِنَّ الْغِنَى غِنَى النَّفْسِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Richness does not lie in the abundance of (worldly) goods but richness is the richness of the soul (heart, self).

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) stood up and addressed the people thus:

وَحَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، أَخْبَرَنَا اللَّيْثُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، - وَتَقَارَبَا فِي اللَّفْظِ - قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا لَيْثٌ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْمَقْبُرِيِّ، عَنْ عِيَاضِ بْنِ، عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيَّ، يَقُولُ قَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَخَطَبَ النَّاسَ فَقَالَ ‏"‏ لاَ وَاللَّهِ مَا أَخْشَى عَلَيْكُمْ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِلاَّ مَا يُخْرِجُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ مِنْ زَهْرَةِ الدُّنْيَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَيَأْتِي الْخَيْرُ بِالشَّرِّ فَصَمَتَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم سَاعَةً ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ كَيْفَ قُلْتَ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَيَأْتِي الْخَيْرُ بِالشَّرِّ فَقَالَ لَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ إِنَّ الْخَيْرَ لاَ يَأْتِي إِلاَّ بِخَيْرٍ أَوَ خَيْرٌ هُوَ إِنَّ كُلَّ مَا يُنْبِتُ الرَّبِيعُ يَقْتُلُ حَبَطًا أَوْ يُلِمُّ إِلاَّ آكِلَةَ الْخَضِرِ أَكَلَتْ حَتَّى إِذَا امْتَلأَتْ خَاصِرَتَاهَا اسْتَقْبَلَتِ الشَّمْسَ ثَلَطَتْ أَوْ بَالَتْ ثُمَّ اجْتَرَّتْ فَعَادَتْ فَأَكَلَتْ فَمَنْ يَأْخُذْ مَالاً بِحَقِّهِ يُبَارَكْ لَهُ فِيهِ وَمَنْ يَأْخُذْ مَالاً بِغَيْرِ حَقِّهِ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ الَّذِي يَأْكُلُ وَلاَ يَشْبَعُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

O people, by Allah, I do not entertain fear about you in regard to anything else than that which Allah would bring forth for you in the form of adornment of the world. A person said: Messenger of Allah, does good produce evil? The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) remained silent for a while and he then said: What did you say? He replied: Messenger of Allah, I said: Does good produce evil? The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to him: The good does not produce but good. but among the plants the spring rain produces There some which kill with a tremour or nearly kill all but the animal which feeds on vegetation. It eats and when its flanks are distended, it faces the can. then when it has donged or urinated and chewed it returns and eats. He who accepts wealth rightly, Allah confers blessing on it for him. and he who takes wealth without any right, he is like one who eats and is not satisfied.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported that some people from among the Ansar begged from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and he gave them. They again begged him and he again gave them, till when what was in his possession was exhausted he said:

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ أَنَسٍ، فِيمَا قُرِئَ عَلَيْهِ عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ اللَّيْثِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، أَنَّ نَاسًا، مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ سَأَلُوا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَعْطَاهُمْ ثُمَّ سَأَلُوهُ فَأَعْطَاهُمْ حَتَّى إِذَا نَفِدَ مَا عِنْدَهُ قَالَ ‏ "‏ مَا يَكُنْ عِنْدِي مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَلَنْ أَدَّخِرَهُ عَنْكُمْ وَمَنْ يَسْتَعْفِفْ يُعِفَّهُ اللَّهُ وَمَنْ يَسْتَغْنِ يُغْنِهِ اللَّهُ وَمَنْ يَصْبِرْ يُصَبِّرْهُ اللَّهُ وَمَا أُعْطِيَ أَحَدٌ مِنْ عَطَاءٍ خَيْرٌ وَأَوْسَعُ مِنَ الصَّبْرِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Whatever good (riches, goods) I have, I will not withhold it from you. He who refrains from begging Allah safeguards him against want. and he who seeks sufficiency, Allah would keep him in a state of sufficiency, and he who shows endurance. Allah would grant him power to endure, and none is blessed with an endowment better and greater than endurance.

'Amr b. al-'As reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْمُقْرِئُ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي، أَيُّوبَ حَدَّثَنِي شُرَحْبِيلُ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ شَرِيكٍ - عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْحُبُلِيِّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَرُزِقَ كَفَافًا وَقَنَّعَهُ اللَّهُ بِمَا آتَاهُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

He Is successful who has accepted Islam, who has been provided with sufficient for his want and been made contented by Allah with what He has given him.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَعَمْرٌو النَّاقِدُ، وَأَبُو سَعِيدٍ الأَشَجُّ قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ فُضَيْلٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، كِلاَهُمَا عَنْ عُمَارَةَ بْنِ الْقَعْقَاعِ، عَنْ أَبِي زُرْعَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ رِزْقَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ قُوتًا ‏"‏ ‏.‏

O Allah, make the provision of Muhammad's family sufficient just to sustain life.

Umar b. Khattab (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) distributed something. Upon this I said:

حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، وَزُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، وَإِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْحَنْظَلِيُّ، قَالَ إِسْحَاقُ أَخْبَرَنَا وَقَالَ الآخَرَانِ، حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي وَائِلٍ، عَنْ سَلْمَانَ، بْنِ رَبِيعَةَ قَالَ قَالَ عُمَرُ بْنُ الْخَطَّابِ رضى الله عنه قَسَمَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَسْمًا فَقُلْتُ وَاللَّهِ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَغَيْرُ هَؤُلاَءِ كَانَ أَحَقَّ بِهِ مِنْهُمْ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏ "‏ إِنَّهُمْ خَيَّرُونِي أَنْ يَسْأَلُونِي بِالْفُحْشِ أَوْ يُبَخِّلُونِي فَلَسْتُ بِبَاخِلٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Messenger of Allah, I swear by God, the others besides them were more deserving than these (to whom you gave charity). He said: They had in fact left no other alternative for me. but (that they should) either beg importunately from me or they would regard me as a miser, but I am not a miser.

Anas b. Malik reported:

حَدَّثَنِي عَمْرٌو النَّاقِدُ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ الرَّازِيُّ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ مَالِكًا، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي يُونُسُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، - وَاللَّفْظُ لَهُ - أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ وَهْبٍ، حَدَّثَنِي مَالِكُ، بْنُ أَنَسٍ عَنْ إِسْحَاقَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي طَلْحَةَ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ كُنْتُ أَمْشِي مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَعَلَيْهِ رِدَاءٌ نَجْرَانِيٌّ غَلِيظُ الْحَاشِيَةِ فَأَدْرَكَهُ أَعْرَابِيٌّ فَجَبَذَهُ بِرِدَائِهِ جَبْذَةً شَدِيدَةً نَظَرْتُ إِلَى صَفْحَةِ عُنُقِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَقَدْ أَثَّرَتْ بِهَا حَاشِيَةُ الرِّدَاءِ مِنْ شِدَّةِ جَبْذَتِهِ ثُمَّ قَالَ يَا مُحَمَّدُ مُرْ لِي مِنْ مَالِ اللَّهِ الَّذِي عِنْدَكَ ‏.‏ فَالْتَفَتَ إِلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَضَحِكَ ثُمَّ أَمَرَ لَهُ بِعَطَاءٍ ‏.‏

I was walking with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and he had put on a mantle of Najran with a thick border. A bedouin met him and pulled the mantle so violently that I saw this violent pulling leaving marks of the border of the mantle on the skin of the neck of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). And he (the bedouin) said: Muhammad, issue command that I should be given out of the wealth of Allah which is at your disposal. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) turned his attention to him and smiled, and then ordered for him a gift (provision).