Abu Mas`ud `Uqbah bin `Amr Al-Ansari (May Allah be pleased with him) said: When the Ayah enjoining Sadaqah (charity) was revealed,* we used to carry loads on our backs to earn something that we could give away in charity. One person presented a considerable amount for charity and the hypocrites said: "He has done it to show off." Another one gave away a few Sa` of dates and they said: "Allah does not stand in need of this persons dates". Thereupon, it was revealed:{Those who defame such of the believers who give charity (in Allahs Cause) voluntarily, and such who could not find to give charity (in Allahs Cause) except what is available to them...} (9:79)
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
* This is the A°yah in which Allah says! "Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it, and suppliate Allah for them..." (9:103)
Commentary:
This Hadith shows that everyone can give charitable donation according to one's means. It can be more or less as one likes. To regard those as showy and criticize those who pay less to withhold them from alms amounts to hypocrisy. Believers must ignore such criticism of the hypocrites and refrain from such things in their dealings.
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