Hadiths on Ongoing Charity
It has been narrated from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regarding ongoing charity: “When a person dies, their deeds cease except for three things: a continuous charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them.” This hadith emphasizes that ongoing charity is a form of good deeds that continues to earn rewards for the benefactor even after their death.
Hadiths on the Rewards of Charity
Below are some hadiths highlighting the rewards associated with charity:
- Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Seven are under the shade of Allah on the Day when there is no shade except His: Among them is a man who gives in charity so secretly that his left hand does not know what his right hand has spent.”
- Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated: “Every day, two angels descend, and one of them says, ‘O Allah, give to the one who spends a replacement,’ while the other says, ‘O Allah, give destruction to the one who withholds.’
- Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever donates the equivalent of a date from lawful earnings—Allah does not accept anything except what is good—Allah accepts it in His right hand and raises it for the donor just as one of you raises a colt until it becomes as great as a mountain.”
Hadiths Encouraging Charity
Here are some hadiths that encourage the act of ongoing charity:
- Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) stated: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) went out on the Day of Eid al-Adha or Eid al-Fitr to the place of prayer and returned to address the people. He commanded them to give charity, saying: ‘O people, give in charity,’ and when he came across the women, he said: ‘O assembly of women, give charity, for I have seen that you constitute the majority of the inhabitants of Hell.’
When he returned to his home, Zaynab, the wife of Ibn Mas’ud, sought permission to enter. It was said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, this is Zaynab.’ He asked, ‘Which Zaynab?’ It was responded, ‘The wife of Ibn Mas’ud.’ He said: ‘Yes, allow her in.’ She entered and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, you commanded us today to give charity, and I have some jewelry I intended to donate. However, Ibn Mas’ud claimed that he and our children are more deserving of it.’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: ‘Ibn Mas’ud has spoken the truth; your husband and children are more deserving of your charity.’
- Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Allah says: ‘Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.’
- Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “Every joint of a person has a charity due upon it every day the sun rises. To bring justice between two people is an act of charity; to assist a man in riding his animal or lifting his belongings is a charity; a good word is a charity; every step taken towards prayer is a charity; and removing something harmful from the path is a charity.”
Hadiths on the Benefits of Charity
Presented below are hadiths that discuss the benefits of charity:
- Abu Umama al-Bahili (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Four types will continue to receive their rewards after death: a warrior in the way of Allah, anyone who initiates a good deed for which he will receive a reward like what he did, a person who donated a charity with rewards flowing endlessly, and a person who leaves behind a righteous child who prays for them.”
- ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amir (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “A man will be in the shade of his charity until the matter has been decided among people.”