Riyad as-Salihin, 269

'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported:

A poor woman came to me carrying her two daughters. I gave her three date-fruits. She gave a date to each of them and then she took up one date-fruit and brought that to her mouth to eat, but her daughters asked her that also. She then divided between them the date-fruit that she intended to eat. This (kind) treatment of her impressed me and I mentioned that to Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) who said, 'Verily, Allah has assured Jannah for her, because of (this act) of her," or said, "He (SWT) has rescued her from Hell- Fire". [Muslim].

وعن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت‏:‏ جاءتني مسكينة تحمل ابنتين لها، فأطعمتها ثلاث تمرات، فأعطت كل واحدة منهما تمرة ورفعت إلى فيها تمرة لتأكلها ، فاستطعمتها ابنتاها، فشقت التمرة التي كانت تريد أن تأكلها بينهما، فأعجبني شأنها، فذكرت الذي صنعت لرسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم فقال‏:‏ ‏

‏إن الله قد أوجب لها بها الجنة، أو أعتقها بها من النار‏

‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Introduction, Hadith 269

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadiths: 1) The Hadith demonstrates the altruism of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). ‘Ā’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) had nothing but a few dates, yet she preferred to give them to the poor woman rather than keep them for herself. 2) The Hadith highlights the virtue of offering kind treatment to daughters by providing them with money and clothes and gentleness because they are weak and helpless. 3) A small act has great merit if coupled with sincerity of the heart; a simple deed can earn its doer a great reward. 4) Kind treatment to children and showing them mercy is a reason for entering Paradise and safety from the Fire.

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