Hadith 2351

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "A man said, 'I will surely give charity.' So he went out with his charity and placed it in the hand of a thief. In the morning, people were talking, saying, 'Charity was given to a thief last night.' So he said, 'O Allah, praise be to You regarding the thief. I will surely give charity again.' So he went out with his charity and placed it in the hand of an adulteress. In the morning, people were talking, saying, 'Charity was given to an adulteress last night.' So he said, 'O Allah, praise be to You regarding the adulteress. I will surely give charity again.' So he went out with his charity and placed it in the hand of a wealthy person. In the morning, people were talking, saying, 'Charity was given to a wealthy person last night.' So he said, 'O Allah, praise be to You regarding the thief, the adulteress, and the wealthy person.' Then he was approached and told, 'As for your charity to the thief, perhaps it will prevent him from stealing. As for the adulteress, perhaps it will prevent her from committing adultery. And as for the wealthy person, perhaps he will reflect and spend from what Allah has given him.'"