Parable of the Miser and the Almsgiver

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

Parable of the Miser and the Almsgiver

Abu Hurayrah (Radhi Allahu Anhu) heard the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) say:

“The parable of the miser and the almsgiver is that of two persons wearing iron cloaks from their chests to their collar-bones. When the almsgiver gives in charity, the cloak becomes spacious until it covers his whole body to such an extent that it hides his fingertips and covers his tracks (obliterates his tracks - or, his sins will be forgiven). And when the miser wants to spend, it (the iron cloak) sticks and (its) every ring gets stuck to its place, and he tries to widen it, but it does not become wide. (Al-Bukhari)

Abu Hurayrah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said: "The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“There is no day when a person wakes up but two angels come down from heaven. One of them says, `O Allah, compensate the one who gives (in charity),' and the other one says, `O Allah, destroy the one who withholds.''' (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)


Abu Hurayrah (Radhi Allahu Anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“Wealth never decreases because of Sadaqah (charity). Allah never increases a servant who gives in charity except in honor, and whoever is humble for the sake of Allah, Allah will raise him in status.” (Muslim)

According to a Hadith narrated by Abu Kathir from `Abdullah bin `Amr, who attributed it to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam):

“Beware of stinginess for it destroyed the people who came before you. It commanded them to be miserly, so they were miserly; and it commanded them to cut the ties of kinship, so they cut them; and it commanded them to commit immoral actions, so they did so.” (Imam Ahmad)

"O Allah! we seek refuge with You from miserliness; and seek refuge with You from cowardice; and seek refuge with You from being sent back to geriatric old age; and I seek refuge with You from the affliction of this world (i.e., the affliction of Ad-Dajjal etc.); and seek refuge with You from the punishment of the grave.” Ameen!