CHARITY SHOULD BEGIN AT HOME

There was a lot of uncoerced charity in its nontax version among the Arabs of pre-Muhammad days.  For example, the Arabs of that time would take their camels to a pond every six or seven days and there milk them and distribute the milk among the needy (note 1329).

Muhammad�s response to this generosity was positive.  But he taught, and in some ways wisely, that charity should begin at home.  This point is brought out in many ahAdIs (2183-2195).  The order in which one should spend his wealth is this: First on one�s own self, then on one�s wife and children, then on relatives and friends, and then on other good deeds.

Following a common practice, an Arab once willed that his slave was to be freed after his death.  When Muhammad heard this, he called him and asked him if he had any other property.  The man replied no.  Muhammad then sold the slave for 800 dirhams, gave the money to the owner, and told him: �Start with your own self and spend it on yourself, and if anything is left, it should be spent on your family, and if anything is left it should be spent on your relatives.�

There is another story that makes the same point.  A lady set her slave-girl free.  When informed about it, Muhammad told her: �Had you given her to your maternal uncle, you would have a greater reward� (2187).

So the morality that Muhammad taught on the question was not particularly heroic, but it agrees with the general practice.  Nor was it really revolutionary.  The emancipation of slaves was not a matter of justice but only of charity.  And even then it should not conflict with the well-being of the family of the believer.

author : ram swarup