Giving charity, however little, protects its giver and softens the heart.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) always gave when something was asked of him and he had it, and he encouraged the congregation to give charity on feast days. He advised warding off the Fire by giving charity, even with half a date, and said that charity removes the displeasure of the Lord. He counted smiling at one's brother, enjoining what is good, and helping one in distress among the forms of charity.
What is the hadith source of this sunnah?
This sunnah rests on the following hadiths. The reference gives the collection, chapter and number where the hadith appears.
- M2053 Müslim, Îdeyn, 9
- M2350 Müslim, Zekât, 68
- T664 Tirmizî, Zekât, 28
- T1956 Tirmizî, Birr, 36
- M2333 Müslim, Zekât, 55
- B6021 Buhârî, Edeb, 33
- HM3012 İbn Hanbel, I, 326
More sunnahs in Social Life
As a table with references: Social Life sunnahs.
- Looking After the Neighbor: Treating the neighbor well and looking after them is a sunnah the Prophet valued greatly.
- Visiting the Sick: Visiting and consoling sick friends and loved ones is a beautiful part of the sunnah.
- Exchanging Gifts: Giving a gift and receiving it graciously nourishes love between hearts.
- Saying That You Love Someone: Telling someone you love them is a sunnah the Prophet recommended.
- Honoring the Guest: Meeting guests with a smiling face and generosity is one of the beautiful reflections of the sunnah.
- Forgiveness and Keeping One's Word: Forgiving the one who wrongs you and answering with kindness was the way of the Prophet.
- Faithfulness to a Trust: Guarding what is entrusted to you and returning it to its owner is the most basic sign of trustworthiness.
- Wanting for Your Brother Too: Wanting for your brother what you want for yourself is a sign of mature faith.
- Seeking Knowledge: Allah eases the path to Paradise for one who sets out in search of knowledge.
- Never Saying "I Have None": A generosity that made a principle of never saying "I have none" when asked for something.
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