Moderation in Charity

[Abu Isra'il]

It was narrated that Ka'b Ibn Malik (ra) related: "I said: O RasulAllah, as a sign of my repentance, I will give away some of my wealth in charity to Allah and His Messenger. RasulAllah (saw) said: Keep some of your wealth for yourself, that will be better for you." (Bukhari; Muslim)
 
Shawkani said: "The hadith of Ka'b (ra) indicates that it is prescribed for the one who wants to give all his wealth in charity to keep some of it. This does not imply that if he wanted to go ahead with it, he would not be able to do so. It was said that giving all one's wealth in charity varies according to one's situation. If a person is strong and knows that he will be able to bear the consequences with patience, then there is no reason why he should not do that. Based on that, we may interpret the action of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (ra) and the way in which the Ansary preferred others to themselves, even though, they were in need. (al-Hashr 59/9) However, if a person is not like that, then he should not do it (i.e. give away all one's wealth in charity). This is how the words: There is no charity except when one has the means should be interpreted. According to another report: 'The best of charity is that which is given when one has the means." (Naylu'l-Awtar, 8/288)
 
It was narrated that Anas Ibn Malik (ra) said: "Abu Talha was the richest man among the Ansar in Madinah in terms of date palm trees, and the most beloved of his wealth to him was the garden of Bayruha. It was opposite the mosque and RasulAllah (saw) used to go there and drink its water, which was good. Anas added: When the verse: By no means shall you attain al-Birr (lit. piety, righteousness; here it means Allah's reward, i.e. Paradise), unless you spend (in Allah's Cause) of that which you love." (Ali-Imran 3/92) was revealed, Abu Talhah stood up and went to RasulAllah (saw) and said: O RasulAllah, Allah says: By no means shall you attain al-Birr, unless you spend (in Allah's Cause) of that which you love," The most beloved of my wealth to me is the garden of Bayruha, and I am giving it in charity to Allah, hoping to find reward for that with Allah. So dispose of it, O RasulAllah, as Allah shows you. RasulAllah (sawe) said: Bravo! That is a good deal, that is a good deal. I have heard what you said and I think that you should give it to your relatives. Abu Talha said: I will do that, O RasulAllah. So Abu Talha shared it out among his relatives and cousins (sons of his paternal uncles)." (Bukhari; Muslim)
 
Shawkani said: "This indicates that it is permissible to give more than one third of one's wealth in charity when one is alive and not suffering from terminal illness, because RasulAllah (saw) did not ask Abu Talhah how much he wanted to give in charity, but he said to Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (ra) when he was sick: A third is a lot." (Naylu'l-Awtar, 3/36)