📖Sahih Muslim 1036
Abu Umama reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: O son of Adam, it is better for you if you spend your surplus (wealth), but if you withhold it, it is evil for you. There is (however) no reproach for you (if you withhold means necessary) for a living. And begin (charity) with your dependents; and the upper hand is better than the lower hand.
- In this hadith from Sahih Muslim 1036, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said that it is better for a person to spend their extra wealth, but if they withhold it, it is considered evil. However, if a person needs the money for their own living expenses, there is no reproach for withholding it. The Prophet also advised to begin charity with one’s own dependents, and emphasized that giving with an open hand (upper hand) is better than receiving with a closed hand (lower hand), meaning that giving generously and freely is preferable to receiving begrudgingly or with conditions. Overall, the hadith emphasizes the importance of generosity and charity in Islam, and encourages Muslims to give freely and willingly to those in need.
