I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying with fingers in the opening of his shirt:" If you had seen him trying to expand it, it will not expand."
Narrated by Abu Haraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) gave similitudes of a miserly man and the giver of charity as two persons who have two coats-of-mail over them with their hands pressed closely to their breasts and their collar bones. Whenever the giver of charity gives charity it (the coat-of mail) expands so much as to cover his finger tips and obliterate his foot prints. And whenever the miserly person intends to give charity (the coat-of-mail) contracts and every ring grips the place where it is. He (Abu Huraira) said:
Context
In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) compares the characteristics of a charitable person and a miser. He uses the metaphor of two individuals wearing coats of mail, illustrating how the act of giving charity expands the coat, symbolizing generosity, while the miser's coat constricts, representing their reluctance to give. This vivid imagery emphasizes the importance of charity in Islam.
Modern Application
In contemporary life, this principle encourages individuals to embrace generosity and kindness. Whether through small acts of charity or larger donations, the act of giving can create a positive impact on both the giver and the community, fostering a spirit of compassion and support.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Charity and Good Deeds because it highlights the virtues of giving and the contrasting nature of generosity versus miserliness.
So whoever Allah wants to guide - He expands his breast to [contain] Islam; and whoever He wants to misguide - He makes his breast tight and constricted as though he were climbing into the sky. Thus does Allah place defilement upon those who do not believe.
سُورَةُ عَبَسَ
Abasa (He frowned)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰٓ
The Prophet frowned and turned away
سُورَةُ النَّجۡمِ
An-Najm (The Star)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
مَا زَاغَ ٱلْبَصَرُ وَمَا طَغَىٰ
The sight [of the Prophet] did not swerve, nor did it transgress [its limit].
This hadith is #2244 from Sahih Muslim, in the Book of The Book of Zakat. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Abu Haraira reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) gave similitudes of a miserly man and the giver of charity as two persons who have two coats-of-mail over them with their hands pressed closely to their breasts and their collar bones. Whenever the giver of charity gives charity it (the coat-of mail) expands so much as to cover his finger tips and obliterate his foot prints. And whenever the miserly person intends to give charity (the coat-of-mail) contracts and every ring grips the place where it is. He (Abu Huraira) said:.
