People to whom Sadaqa may not be given - Section 1

English translation

Anas told that the Prophet (ﷺ) came upon a date on the road and said, “Were it not that I fear it may be part of the <i>sadaqa</i> I would eat it.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

English translation

Abu Huraira told that al-Hasan b. 'All took one of the dates of the <i>sadaqa</i> and put it in his mouth, whereupon the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Leave it alone, leave it alone,” in order that he might throw it away. He then said, “Do you not know that we* do not eat the <i>sadaqa</i>?’ (Bukhari and Muslim.) * The pronoun includes the Prophet (ﷺ) and his family, al Hasan being his grandson. The idea is more definitely expressed in 'Abd al-Muttalib's tradition.

English translation

‘Abd al-Muttalib b. Rabi'a reported God’s messenger as saying, “These <i>sadaqat</i> are only people’s impurities,* and they are not lawful for Muhammad or Muhammad’s family.” Muslim transmitted it. * i.e. an atonement for their sins.

English translation

Abu Huraira said that when God’s messenger was brought food he asked whether it was a present or <i>sadaqa</i>, and if he was informed that it was <i>sadaqa</i> he told his companions to eat, but did not eat himself; if however he was informed that it was a present he put in his hand and ate along with them. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

English translation

‘A’isha said that three <i>sunnas</i> concerned Barira.* One was that she became free and was given her choice regarding her husband. God’s messenger said, "The right of inheritance from an emancipated slave belongs to the one who set him free.”* God’s messenger once came in when the pot was boiling with meat in it, and he was presented with some of the bread and condiments which were in the house. He asked, “Did I not see a pot containing meat?” and was told, “Yes, but that is meat which was given as <i>sadaqa</i> to Barira and you do not eat the <i>sadaqa</i>.” He replied, “It is <i>sadaqa</i> for her and a gift to us.” *** (Bukhari and Muslim.) * A slave-woman whom 'A’isha bought and set free. ** The context shows that these words are said to have been spoken in connection with Barira. *** This is the part of the tradition which makes it relevant in this chapter, as it declares that one who may not lawfully receive <i>sadaqa</i> may accept as a gift <i>sadaqa</i> which has been received by one who may lawfully receive it.

English translation

She said that God’s messenger would accept a present and give something in return for it. Bukhari transmitted it.

English translation

Abu Huraira reported God’s messenger as saying, “If I were invited to eat a trotter I would accept the invitation, and if I were presented with a fore-leg I would accept it.” Bukhari transmitted it.

English translation

He reported God’s messenger as saying, "The poor man (miskin) is not the one who goes round to people and is dismissed with one or two morsels, and one or two dates, but is he who does not get enough to satisfy him, is not taken notice of so that alms may be given him, yet does not get up and beg from people.” (Bukhari and Muslim.)

English translation

Abu Rafi' said God’s messenger sent a man of the B. Makhzum to collect <i>sadaqa</i> and he asked him to accompany him so that he might get some of it; but he refused to do so till he went to God's messenger and asked him. He went to the Prophet (ﷺ) and asked him, and he said, “The <i>sadaqa</i> is not lawful for us, and the clients of a people are treated as being of their number.” * Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it. * Abu Rafi’ had been a slave of the Prophet (ﷺ) by whom he was set free. The point of the tradition is that the rules which apply to any people apply to their freedmen as well, and so Abu Rafi' was not entitled to receive <i>sadaqa</i>.

English translation

'Abdallah b. ‘Amr reported God’s messenger as saying, “<i>Sadaqa</i> may not be given to a rich man, or to one who has strength and is sound in limb.” Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Darimi transmitted it, and Ahmad, Nasa’i and Ibn Majah transmitted it from Abu Huraira.

English translation

‘Ubaidallah b. ‘Adi b. al-Khiyar said two men informed him that they had come to the Prophet (ﷺ) when he was at the Farewell Pilgrimage while he was dividing the <i>sadaqa</i> and asked him for some of it. He looked them up and down, and seeing that they were robust, he said, “If you wish I shall give you something, but there is no share in it for a rich man or for one who is strong and able to earn a living.” Abu Dawud and Nasa’i transmitted it.

English translation

‘Ata’ b. Yasar reported in mursal form that God’s messenger said, ''<i>Sadaqa</i> may not be given to a rich man, with the exception of five classes:

one who fights in God’s path, or one who collects it, or a debtor, a man who buys it with his money, or a man who has a poor neighbour a no has been given <i>sadaqa</i> and gives a present to the rich man.” Malik and Abu Dawud transmitted it. A version by Abu Dawud from Abu Sa'id has ‘‘or a traveller.”

English translation

Ziyad b. al-Harith as-Suda’i said he came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and swore allegiance to him, and after telling a long story he said that a man came to him and asked him to give him some of the <i>sadaqa</i>. God’s messenger then said to him, ‘‘God is not pleased with a prophet's or anyone else's decision about <i>sadaqat</i> till He has given a decision about them Himself. He has divided those entitled to them into eight categories,* so if you come within those categories I shall give you something.” Abu Dawud transmitted it. * Reference is to Al-Qur'an 9:60

English translation

Zaid b. Aslam said that ‘Umar b. al-Khattab drank some milk which pleased him and asked the man who gave him the drink where that milk had come from. He informed him that he had gone down to a watering-place which he named and found there some camels which had been given as <i>sadaqa</i> being watered. Saying that the people had drawn off some of their milk, he added, “I put it in this milk-skin of mine, and this is it.” ‘Umar thereupon put his hand in his mouth and made himself vomit. Malik and Baihaqi, in <i>Shu’ab al-iman</i>, transmitted it.