THE HOLY PROPHET (PBUH) LOVE FOR THE POOR

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) enjoined upon Muslims to treat the poor kindly and to help them with alms, zakat, and in other ways. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) says as it is narrated by Abu Sa‘id Al-Khudri, one of his companion:

“The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: If any Muslim clothes a Muslim when he is naked, Allah will clothe him with some green garments of Paradise; if any Muslim feeds a Muslim when he is hungry, Allah will feed him with some of the fruits of Paradise; and if any Muslim gives a Muslim drink when he is thirsty, Allah will give him some of the pure wine which is sealed to drink.” - (Abu Dawud)

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) says, “Do you love your Creator? Then love your fellow beings first.”

Again, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) says, “It is difficult for a man laden with riches to climb the steep path that leads to bliss.”

He did not prohibit or discourage the acquisition of wealth, but insisted that it be lawfully acquired by honest means and that a portion of it should go to the poor. He advised his followers, as it is narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar:

Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘Give the laborer his wages before his perspiration dries.’ (Tirmidhi)

The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) always encouraged his followers to work instead of begging from others, as it is mentioned in the hadith:

Allah is gracious to him who earns his living by his own labor, and that if a man begs to increase his property, Allah will diminish it and whoever has food for the day, it is prohibited for him to beg.

To his wife, he said; ‘O Aisha, love the poor and let them come to you and Allah will draw you near to Himself.’ (Sahih Bukhari)

Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was much worried about the people who were underprivileged in the society. Once Ibad Bin Sharjil, a man from Medina was starving. He entered an orchard and picked some fruit. The owner of the orchard gave him a sound beating and stripped off his clothes. The poor man appealed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) who remonstrated the owner in the following words:

“This man was ignorant, you should have dispelled his ignorance; he was hungry, you should have fed him.” His clothes were restored to the Medinan and, in addition, some grain was given to him.