Anas ibn Malik reported: A man from the helpers came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and begged from him. The Prophet asked:
أَمَا فِي بَيْتِكَ شَيْءٌ
Have you nothing in your house?
He replied, “Yes, a piece of cloth, a part of which we wear and a part of which we spread on the ground, and a wooden bowl from which we drink water.” The Prophet said:
ائْتِنِي بِهِمَا
Bring them to me.
He then brought these articles to him and he took them in his hands and asked:
مَنْ يَشْتَرِي هَذَيْنِ
*Who will buy these?*
*A man said, “I will buy them for one coin.” He said twice or thrice:*
مَنْ يَزِيدُ عَلَى دِرْهَمٍ
Who will offer more than one coin?
A man said, “I will buy them for two coins.” He gave these to him and took the two coins and, giving them to the helper, the Prophet said:
اشْتَرِ بِأَحَدِهِمَا طَعَامًا فَانْبِذْهُ إِلَى أَهْلِكَ وَاشْتَرِ بِالْآخَرِ قَدُومًا فَأْتِنِي بِهِ
Buy food with one of them and hand it to your family, and buy an axe and bring it to me.
He then brought it to him. The Prophet fixed a handle on it with his own hands and said:
اذْهَبْ فَاحْتَطِبْ وَبِعْ وَلَا أَرَيَنَّكَ خَمْسَةَ عَشَرَ يَوْمًا
Go gather firewood and sell it, and do not let me see you for a fortnight.
The man went away and gathered firewood and sold it. When he had earned ten coins, he came to him and bought a garment with some of them and food with the others. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, then said:
هَذَا خَيْرٌ لَكَ مِنْ أَنْ تَجِيءَ الْمَسْأَلَةُ نُكْتَةً فِي وَجْهِكَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ إِنَّ الْمَسْأَلَةَ لَا تَصْلُحُ إِلَّا لِثَلَاثَةٍ لِذِي فَقْرٍ مُدْقِعٍ أَوْ لِذِي غُرْمٍ مُفْظِعٍ أَوْ لِذِي دَمٍ مُوجِعٍ
This is better for you than that begging should come as a spot on your face on the Day of Judgment. Begging is right only for three people: for one who is in grinding poverty, or for one who is in severe debt, or for a painful compensation for killing.*
Source: Sunan Abu Dawud 1641, Grade: Hasan
Subhanallah, the Prophet (pbuh)'s way of dealing with people is truly remarkable and full of wisdom.
He not only provided immediate help to the man in need but also empowered him with the means to become self-sufficient.
This story exemplifies the Prophet’s emphasis on dignity and self-reliance, guiding the man towards a sustainable solution rather than temporary relief.
His actions teach us the importance of compassion, practical support, and encouraging self-sustenance, which remain timeless lessons in addressing poverty and need.
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Islamic stories
SpiritualHere are some stories that provide a glimpse of life of the Prophet's ( peace be upon them), sahabas, caliphs, Islamic scholars, stories from the Quran and some hadiths. These stories are not my works but a collection of research from reliable and...
