Anas said that Abu Talha was the one among the Ansar who possessed most palm trees, the property he prized most being Bairaha’ which was opposite the mosque and was often entered by God’s messenger who drank some of the sweet water it contained. When this verse came down, “You will never attain righteousness till you give freely of what you love,” Abu Talha got up and going to God's messenger said, “Messenger of God, God says, ‘You will never attain righteousness till you give freely of what you love,’ and my property which I prize most is Bairaha’, so I give it as sadaqa to God most high from whom I hope for reward for the act of righteousness and the treasure relating to it; so apply it, messenger of God, to whatever purpose God shows you.” He replied, “Bravo! That is profitable property. I have heard what you said, and I think you should apply it to your nearest relatives.” Abu Talha told God’s messenger he would do so, and divided it among his nearest relatives and his cousins on his father’s side.
Giving charity to relatives have many merits including:
Firstly: Obedience to Allah’s Command
Allah the Almighty has commanded Muslims to give charity to their relatives if they are in need. The order of spending starts with parents and close relatives, as stated in His saying, “They ask you [O Muhammad],what they should spend. Say, Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveler. And whatever you do of good—indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.” (Al-Baqarah: 215) The ayah starts with spending money on parents, then relatives, then orphans, the needy, and the traveler.
Secondly: Following the Prophet’s Command
The Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded giving charity to poor relatives, especially those under one’s care. Al-Tabarani narrated from Hakim ibn Hizam that he asked the Prophet (peace be upon him): “What kind of sadaqa is most excellent?” He said, “Begin with those for whom you are responsible.”
In Sahih al-Bukhari, ‘Zainab the wife of Ibn Mas’ud came along and said to the Prophet “O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)! You have commanded us today to give Sadaqah (charity). I have some jewelry of mine and I wanted to give it as Sadaqah, but Ibn Mas'ud claims that he and his children are the most entitled to my Sadaqah. (deserve it more than anyone else.)’ The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Ibn Mas'ud is right. Your husband and your children are more deserving.’’
Thirdly: Earning the Best Reward
Some might think that spending on one’s wife, children, and relatives is not considered charity that a Muslim is rewarded for, assuming that they are responsible for their maintenance anyway. However, Islam emphasizes that responsibility for these individuals does not mean that the spender does not get a reward. Rather, if he spends with the intention of seeking reward, he will be rewarded. Abu Mas'ud al-Ansari narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “When someone spends on his family seeking his reward for it from God, it counts to him as sadaqa.”
In Sahih al-Bukhari, Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “And whatever you spend (for Allah's sake) you will be rewarded for it, even for a morsel of food which you may put in the mouth of your wife.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) clarified that the best reward is achieved by spending on relatives. In Sahih Muslim, Thauban reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: “The most excellent dinar is one that a person spends on his family, and the dinar which he spends on his animal in Allah's path, and the dinar he spends on his companions in Allah's path.” Abu Qilaba (one of the narrators) said: He (the narrator) started with family, and then Abu Qilaba said: Who is the person with greater reward than a person who spends on young members of his family (and thus) preserves (saves them from want) (and by virtue of which) Allah brings profit for them and makes them rich.
The fact that charity given to relatives is considered the best of charities is further supported by what Ibn Majah narrated from Suraqah bin Malik, who reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Shall I not tell you of the best charity? A daughter who comes back to you and has no other breadwinner apart from you.” This means charity to a daughter who has no other provider.
In Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Umm Kulthum bint Uqbah reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The best of all charity is that which is given to the relative that harbors enmity against you.” This means that the best charity is given to a relative who is hostile towards the giver.
The reason it is considered the best charity is because, generally, a person gives his wealth to those he loves. But giving to a hostile relative goes against one's desires and compels the self to be righteous and maintain ties of kinship, hence it is considered the best charity.
Fourthly: Fulfilling Kinship Ties
Imam Ahmad narrated in his Musnad from Salman ibn Amir that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Charity towards a poor person is charity, and towards a relation is both charity and maintaining the ties (of kinship).” Thus, charity to relatives counts both as monetary charity and as support for kinship ties.
Fifthly: Avoiding Sin
If a Muslim neglects spending on those under his care, he is considered sinful. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) warned against this. In Sunan al-Nasa’i, Abdullah ibn ‘Amr reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “It is sufficient sin for a man that he neglects him whom he maintains.” Meaning that a man falls into sin if he neglected spending on those who rely on him in his household or family.
Jurists have emphasized that giving charity to needy relatives is obligatory, and neglecting it is sinful.
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