Allah Almighty says: {As for he who gives and fears Allah and believes in the best [reward], We will ease him toward ease.} [Al-Layl: 5-7] He also says: {But the righteous one will avoid it - He who gives from his wealth to purify himself, and not giving for anyone who has done him a favor to be rewarded, but only seeking the countenance of his Lord, Most High. And he is going to be satisfied.} [Al-Layl: 17-21] And He says: {If you disclose your acts of charity, it is well; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you, and He will remove from you some of your misdeeds thereby. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do.} [Al-Baqarah: 271] And He says: {Never will you attain the good reward until you spend from what you love. And whatever you spend – indeed, Allah is All-Knowing of it.} [Āl-‘Imrān: 92] The verses on the merit of spending in charitable areas are numerous and well known.
1) They encourage the believers to spend in charitable areas, seeking Allah’s pleasure.
2) They point out the merit of the pious rich person who spends his wealth in the areas commended by the Shariah.
571/1 - ‘Abdullāh ibn Mas‘ūd (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “There should be no envy except in two (cases): a man whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it in the right way, and a man whom Allah has given wisdom and he judges according to it and teaches it to others.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim] It has recently been explained.
572/2 - Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said: “There should be no envy except with regard to two types of persons: a man whom Allah has given knowledge of the Qur’an, and so he recites it during the night and during the day; and a man whom Allah has given wealth and so he spends from it during the night and during the day.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim]
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1) Successful is the one whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it in ways pleasing to Him. This is one of the best areas of competition.
2) Wealth is a trust, and it will one day be returned to its Owner. So, let a person fear his Lord with regard to how he earns his money and how he spends it.
573/3 - Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the poor among the Muhājirūn came to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) and said: “The wealthy have gone with the highest ranks and lasting bliss.” He asked: “How is that?” They replied: “They offer prayer as we offer it and they observe fast as we do, but they spend in charity while we cannot and they free slaves while we cannot.” The Messenger of Allah said: “Shall I not teach you something with which you may overtake those who surpassed you and surpass those who will come after you, and none will be better than you except he who does what you do?” They said: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah!” He said: “Recite Tasbīh (Subhān Allah), Tahmīd (Alhamdulillah), and Takbīr (Allahu Akbar) thirty-three times after each prayer.” Later, the poor among the Muhājirūn returned to the Messenger and said: “Our wealthy brothers heard about what we did and they did the same.” Thereupon, he said: “That is the favor of Allah and He gives it to whomever He wills.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhāri and Muslim; this is the wording of Muslim]
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1) It shows the merit of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and how they competed in doing good deeds and acts of worship.
2) If Allah Almighty bestows wealth upon a person, he should spend it in ways pleasing to His Lord. This is the true object of envy.
3) The areas of goodness are numerous and the means of attaining reward are many. One of these is spending in the cause of Allah Almighty.
4) The bounty of Allah Almighty is great, and He bestows it upon whomever He wills. It is not permissible to object to His decree as regards the preference of some people over the others.