The Man Who Gave Charity Three Nights

• The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told of a man who said he would give something in charity. Ibn Hajar, the great scholar who explained al-Bukhari's collection (Fath al-Bari, vol. 3, p. 340), says he found no name for this man, and that in a version recorded by Ahmad he was from the Children of Israel. In Arabic, the man's words are a firm promise he made to himself, like a vow, as if he had sworn by Allah to do it.[1][5][4]
• He gave at night and in secret. Ibn Hajar (vol. 3, p. 339) sees this in two details: the people only talked about it the next morning, and in Muslim's version the man says he will give charity that night. If he had given openly in daylight, he would have seen that the rich man was rich.[1][2][5]
• He put his charity in a thief's hand without knowing that he was a thief (Ibn Hajar, vol. 3, p. 341). Al-Durar al-Saniyya, an Arabic encyclopedia that explains hadith, says that he had hoped it would reach a poor person too modest to ask, an honest man or a woman of good character. But each morning the people talked about it in surprise, because to them charity was for people in need who also lived good lives.[1][5][4]
• When he heard it he said, "O Allah! All the praises are for you." Ibn Hajar (vol. 3, p. 341) explains that he accepted what Allah had decided, left the matter in His hands, and praised Him even then, because Allah is praised in every situation. He adds that when the Prophet (peace be upon him) saw something he did not like, he would say: O Allah, all praise is Yours in every situation.[1][5]
• He did not give up. He said, "I will give alms again" (alms means charity), went out and gave to an adulteress, and the next morning people were saying that he had given his charity to an adulteress. He praised Allah again and decided to give once more; the third time it went to a rich man, and the people talked again. Each time he praised Allah: for a thief, for an adulteress and for a rich man.[1][4]
• Then someone came to him in a dream. Ibn Hajar (vol. 3, p. 341) cites the version recorded by al-Tabarani, which says that this saddened him and that someone then came to him in his sleep; and Muslim's version gives the words he heard: "Your charity has been accepted." Al-Durar al-Saniyya explains why: he was sincere and meant well, even though things did not turn out as he planned.[1][2][5][4]
• He was told that his charity to the thief "might make him abstain from stealing", that is, help him stop stealing. Al-Durar al-Saniyya explains: the thief may tell himself that this money is enough for him, or feel ashamed that he received something without stealing it, and learn that some of Allah's servants give in secret, at night, to people they do not even know.[1][4]
• The charity given to the adulteress "might make her abstain from illegal sexual intercourse (adultery)", that is, help her stop. Al-Durar al-Saniyya explains that she may have been doing it for money, and now she had enough to keep her from it.[1][4]
• And the rich man might "take a lesson from it and spend his wealth which Allah has given him", that is, learn from it and give to others from what Allah has given him. Al-Durar al-Saniyya explains that he may think about it, be reminded, and give from what Allah has given him. In its words, a good intention brings good results.[1][4]
• Ibn Hajar (vol. 3, p. 341) concludes that when the giver's intention is good, his charity is accepted even if it does not reach the person he meant it for. Al-Nawawi, another great scholar, adds that the giver is still rewarded even if the person who takes the charity is a sinner or rich. He notes that this is about charity given freely; zakat, the yearly charity that Muslims with enough wealth must give, does not count if it is paid to a rich person. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Verily Allah does not look to your faces and your wealth but He looks to your heart and to your deeds." In plain words (Translation: Qabas, from the Arabic): Allah does not look at your appearance or your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds.[5][6][3]

• Allah looks at what you meant to do: if you mean well, try your best and still get it wrong, the good you meant is still counted for you, and the mistake does you no harm.[4][5][3]
• Give sincerely and, when you can, in secret: the man gave at night, seen by no one, and Ibn Hajar notes that this hadith shows how good it is to give in secret and with a sincere heart.[5]
• Accept what Allah decides and praise Him whatever happens, leaving the outcome to Him, as the man did each morning.[4][5]
• Do not stop doing good after a disappointment: give again when your charity did not reach the person you meant it for.[4][5]
• Act on what you can see: we judge by what is in front of us until we learn otherwise, and only Allah knows what is hidden.[4][5]
• Never give up on anyone: a gift may be the reason a thief stops stealing, a sinner changes her life, or a rich man learns to give.[1][4]

These questions are written by Qabas Academy to help you reflect. They are not part of the hadith or its commentary.

1. He meant his gift for someone in need, and each time it reached someone else. When a good deed of yours does not turn out as you hoped, what helps you trust that Allah saw your intention?
2. Each morning the town talked about him, and each time he praised Allah. What would it take for you to praise Allah first, before you defend yourself?
3. He did not stop after the first night or the second. What good habit did you drop after one disappointment that you could begin again this week?
4. The thief, the woman and the rich man were each given a reason to change. Who have you given up on who might still be reached by a quiet kindness?