Book Sixty Four – The Book on Supporting the Family

Hadith Number 263.

Narrated by Abu Mas'ud Al-Ansari (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "When a Muslim spends something on his family intending to receive Allah's reward it is regarded as Sadaqah for him."


Hadith Number 264.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Allah said, 'O son of Adam! Spend, and I shall spend on you."


Hadith Number 265.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "The one who looks after a widow or a poor person is like a Mujahid (warrior) who fights for Allah's Cause, or like him who performs prayers all the night and fasts all the day."


Hadith Number 266.

Narrated by Sa'd (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) visited me at Makkah while I was ill. I said (to him), "I have property; May I bequeath all my property in Allah's Cause?" He said, "No." I said, "Half of it?" He said, "No." I said, "One third of it?" He said, "One-third (is alright), yet it is still too much, for you'd better leave your inheritors wealthy than leave them poor, begging of others. Whatever you spend will be considered a Sadaqah for you, even the mouthful of food you put in the mouth of your wife. Anyhow Allah may let you recover, so that some people may benefit by you and others be harmed by you."


Hadith Number 267.

Narrated by Al-'Amash: N/A.


Hadith Number 268.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): "The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, 'The best alms is that which is given when one is rich, and a giving hand is better than a taking one, and you should start first to support your dependents.' A wife says, 'You should either provide me with food or divorce me.' A slave says, 'Give me food and enjoy my service." A son says, "Give me food; to whom do you leave me?" The people said, "O Abu Hurairah! Did you hear that from Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)?" He said, "No, it is from my own self."


Hadith Number 269.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "The best alms is that which you give when you are rich, and you should start first to support your dependants."


Hadith Number 270.

Narrated by 'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to sell the dates of the garden of Bani An-Nadir and store for his family so much food as would cover their needs for a whole year.


Hadith Number 271.

Narrated by Malik bin Aus bin Al-Hadathan: Once I set out to visit 'Umar (bin Al-Khattab) (Radhi Allahu Anhu). (While I was sitting there with him his gate-keeper, Yarfa, came and said, "Uthman AbdurRahman (bin 'Auf), Az-Zubair and Sad (bin Abi Waqqas) (Radhi Allahu Anhum) are seeking permission (to meet you)." 'Umar said, "Yes. So he admitted them and they entered, greeted, and sat down. After a short while Yarfa came again and said to 'Umar 'Shall I admit 'Ali and 'Abbas?" 'Umar said, "Yes." He admitted them and when they entered, they greeted and sat down. 'Abbas said, "O Chief of the Believers! Judge between me and this ('Ali)." The group, 'Uthman and his companions Sad, 'O Chief of the Believers! Judge between them and relieve one from the other."

'Umar said. Wait! I beseech you by Allah, by Whose permission both the Heaven and the Earth stand fast! Do you know that Allah's Messenger said. 'We (Messengers) do not bequeath anything to our heirs, but whatever we leave is to be given in charity.' And by that Allah's Messengers meant himself?" The group said, "He did say so." 'Umar then turned towards 'Ali and 'Abbas and said. "I beseech you both by Allah, do you know that Allah's Messenger said that?" They said, 'Yes "'Umar said, "Now, let me talk to you about this matter. Allah favored His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) with something of this property (war booty) which He did not give to anybody else. And Allah said: 'And what Allah has bestowed on His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) (as Fai Booty) from them for which you made no expedition with either cavalry or camelry... Allah is Able to do all things.' (Surah Al-Hashr 59:6) So this property was especially granted to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). But by Allah he neither withheld it from you, nor did he keep it for himself and deprive you of it, but he gave it all to you and distributed it among you till only this remained out of it. And out of this property Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to provide his family with their yearly needs, and whatever remained, he would spend where Allah's Property (the revenues of Zakat) used to be spent. Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) kept on acting like this throughout his lifetime. Now I beseech you by Allah, do you know that?" They said, "Yes." Then 'Umar said to 'Ali and 'Abbas, "I beseech you by Allah, do you both know that?" They said, "Yes."

'Umar added, "When Allah had taken His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) unto Him, Abu Bakr said, 'I am the successor of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). So he took charge of that property and did with it the same what Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) used to do, and both of you knew all about it then." Then 'Umar turned towards 'Ali and Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) and said, "You both claim that Abu Bakr was so-and-so! But Allah knows that he was honest, sincere, pious and right (in that matter). Then Allah caused Abu Bakr to die, and I said, 'I am the successor of Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and Abu Bakr.' So I kept this property in my possession for the first two years of my rule, and I used to do the same with it as Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and Abu Bakr used to do. Later both of you ('Ali and 'Abbas) came to me with the same claim and the same problem. (O 'Abbas!) You came to me demanding your share from (the inheritance of) the son of your brother, and he ('Ali) came to me demanding his wives share from (the inheritance of) her father. So I said to you, 'If you wish I will hand over this property to you, on condition that you both promise me before Allah that you will manage it in the same way as Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and Abu Bakr did, and as I have done since the beginning of my rule; otherwise you should not speak to me about it.' So you both said, 'Hand over this property to us on this condition.' And on this condition I handed it over to you. I beseech you by Allah, did I hand it over to them on that condition?" The group said, "Yes."

'Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhu) then faced 'Ali and 'Abbas (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) and said, "I beseech you both by Allah, did I hand it over to you both on that condition?" They both said, "Yes." 'Umar added, "Do you want me now to give a decision other than that? By Him with Whose permission (order) both the Heaven and the Earth stand fast, I will never give any decision other than that till the Hour is established! But if you are unable to manage it (that property), then return it to me and I will be sufficient for it on your behalf."

Hadith Number 272.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): Hind bint 'Utba came and said, "O Allah's Messenger! Abu Sufyan is a miser so is it sinful of me to feed our children from his property?" Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "No except if you take for your needs what is just and reasonable."


Hadith Number 273.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "If the wife gives of her husband's property (something in charity) without his permission, he will get half the reward."


Hadith Number 274.

Narrated by Ali (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Fatima (Radhi Allahu Anha) went to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) complaining about the bad effect of the stone hand-mill on her hand. She heard that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) had received a few slave girls. But (when she came there) she did not find him, so she mentioned her problem to 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha). When the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) came, 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) informed him about that. 'Ali added, "So the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) came to us when we had gone to bed. We wanted to get up (on his arrival) but he said, 'Stay where you are." Then he came and sat between me and her and I felt the coldness of his feet on my abdomen. He said, "Shall I direct you to something better than what you have requested? When you go to bed say 'Subhan Allah' thirty-three times, 'Alhamdulillah' thirty three times, and Allahu Akbar' thirty four times, for that is better for you than a servant."


Hadith Number 275.

Narrated by 'Ali bin Abi Talib (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Fatima (Radhi Allahu Anha) came to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) asking for a servant. He said, "May I inform you of something better than that? When you go to bed, recite "Subhan Allah' thirty three times, 'Alhamdulillah' thirty three times, and 'Allahu Akbar' thirty four times. 'Ali added, 'I have never failed to recite it ever since." Somebody asked, "Even on the night of the battle of Siffin?" He said, "No, even on the night of the battle of Siffin."


Hadith Number 276.

Narrated by Al-Aswad bin Yazid: I asked 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha) "What did the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) use to do at home?" She said, "He used to work for his family, and when he heard the Adhan (call for the prayer), he would go out."


Hadith Number 277.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): Hind bint 'Utba said, "O Allah's Messenger! Abu Sufyan is a miser and he does not give me what is sufficient for me and my children. Can I take of his property without his knowledge?" The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Take what is sufficient for you and your children, and the amount should be just and reasonable.


Hadith Number 278.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "The best women among the camel riders, are the women of Quraish." (Another narrator said) The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "The righteous among the women of Quraish are those who are kind to their young ones and who look after their husband's property."


Hadith Number 279.

Narrated by 'Ali (Radhi Allahu Anhu): The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) gave me a silk suit and I wore it, but when I noticed anger on his face, I cut it and distributed it among my women-folk.


Hadith Number 280.

Narrated by Jabir bin 'Abdullah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): My father died and left seven or nine girls and I married a matron. Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said to me, "O Jabir! Have you married?" I said, "Yes." He said, "A virgin or a matron?" I replied, "A matron." he said, "Why not a virgin, so that you might play with her and she with you, and you might amuse her and she amuse you." I said, " 'Abdullah (my father) died and left girls, and I dislike to marry a girl like them, so I married a lady (matron) so that she may look after them." On that he said, "May Allah bless you," or "That is good."


Hadith Number 281.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): A man came to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and said, "I am ruined!" The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Why?" He said, "I had sexual intercourse with my wife while fasting (in the month of Ramadan)." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said to him, "Manumit a slave (as expiation)." He replied, "I cannot afford that." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Then fast for two successive months." He said, "I cannot." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Then feed sixty poor persons." He said, "I have nothing to do that." In the meantime a basket full of dates was brought to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam). He said, "Where is the questioner." The man said, "I am here." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said (to him), "Give this (basket of dates) in charity (as expiation)." He said, "O Allah's Messenger! Shall I give it to poorer people than us? By Him Who sent you with the Truth, there is no family between Al-Madinah's two mountains poorer than us." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) smiled till his pre-molar teeth became visible. He then said, "Then take it."


Hadith Number 282.

Narrated by Um Salama (Radhi Allahu Anha): I said, "O Allah's Messenger! Shall I get a reward (in the Hereafter) if I spend on the children of Abu Salama and do not leave them like this and like this (i.e., poor) but treat them like my children?" The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Yes, you will be rewarded for that which you will spend on them."


Hadith Number 283.

Narrated by 'Aishah (Radhi Allahu Anha): Hind (bint 'Utba) said, "O Allah's Messenger! Abu Sufyan is a miser. Is there any harm if I take of his property what will cover me and my children's needs?" The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Take (according to your needs) in a reasonable manner."


Hadith Number 284.

Narrated by Abu Hurairah (Radhi Allahu Anhu): A dead man in debt used to be brought to Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) who would ask, "Has he left anything to re pay his debts?" If he was informed that he had left something to cover his debts the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) would offer the funeral prayer for him; otherwise he would say to the Muslims present there), "Offer the funeral prayer for your friend:"but when Allah helped the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) to gain victory (on his expeditions), he said, "I am closer to the Believers than themselves, so if one of the Believers dies in debt, I will repay it, but if he leaves wealth, it will be for his heirs.


Hadith Number 285.

Narrated by Um Habiba (Radhi Allahu Anha): (The wife of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam)) I said, "O Allah's Messenger! Will you marry my sister, the daughter of Abu Sufyan." The Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said, "Do you like that?" I said, "Yes, for I am not your only wife, and the person I like most to share the good with me, is my sister." He said, "That is not lawful for me." I said, "O Allah's Messenger! We have heard that you want to marry Durra, the daughter of Abu Salama." He said, "You mean the daughter of Um Salama?" I said, "Yes." He said, "Even if she were not my step-daughter, she is unlawful for me, for she is my foster niece. Thuwaiba suckled me and Abu Salama. So you should not present to me your daughters and sisters."

Narrated 'Urwa: Thuwaiba had been a slave girl whom Abu Lahab had emancipated.