Righteousness (Bir in Arabic) means stretching like a vast land. Although the seas are larger than the land, the movement of man in the former is limited to the boundaries of ships, while such movement is limitless on the latter.

(… لَن تَنَالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتَّىٰ تُنفِقُوا مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ ) (Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah] from that which you love …): } What’s meant by the good reward is paradise. Anyone aims to go to paradise, but they will not realize that until they spend what they love. This is because spending is a proof of faith as stated by the Prophet (saws):

“Prayer is a light, charity is proof.[1]”

When a person spends from his what they gain throughout their life in the way of Allah (swt), and give away to the poor and the needy, they prove that they follow the orders of the Almighty; and are satisfied with them and certain that what Allah (swt) has, is better and more lasting than that of what humans have. Spending, on the other hand, means dealing with Allah (swt), who says:

{ مَّن ذَا الَّذِي يُقْرِضُ اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا}

(Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan.) (Al-Baqara: 245)

not: (who is it that would loan the poor). So, you’re dealing with the Almighty. However, if you want to deal with a dignitary, rich, or a good person in this world, you offer the best and dearest of what you have to please them. How about dealing with Allah (swt), then? Prophet Muhammad (saws) said:

“people are Allah’s family. and the best of them for Him is the one who spends on his family[2].”

To be among the best you have to either spend money or utilize your position for the good, or caring for people’s needs. This is because when you spend in the way of Allah (swt), you go by Zakat or charities as stated in the Book of Allah the Almighty.

Being miser and greedy is part and parcel of one’s self. For example, if you have two garments, one new and one old or worn-out, and you want to give either one away, which one would you give away, the new or the old?  You will not gain righteousness until you spend what you love if you want to deal with the Almighty. The companions of Prophet Muhammad (saws) used to be deeply moved by Allah’s words. “Abu Talha was among the richest of the Ansar of Medina in terms of land with palm trees grown in. The worthiest orchard of Abu Talha was the one known as Bairaha’ which was opposite the mosque; the Messenger of Allah (saws) often visited it and drank of its freshwater. When this verse was revealed: (You will never attain righteousness till you give freely of what you love.) Abu Talha got up and, going to Allah’s Messenger (saws), said: Allah says in His Book: {You will never attain righteousness till you give freely of what you love,} and the dearest of my property is Bairaha’ so I give it as Sadaqa to God from Whom I hope for a reward for it and the treasure with Allah; so spend it, Messenger of Allah, on whatever purpose you deem it proper. The Messenger of Allah (saws) said:

Well done! that is a profitable deal, that is a profitable deal. I have heard what you have said, but I think you should spend it on your nearest relatives. So Abu Talha distributed it among the nearest relatives and his cousins on his father’s side[3].”

This is such a great moral. The top priority of the greatest reward is when one gives a charity to their relatives who are in need.

( وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِن شَيْءٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ … ) (…And whatever you spend – indeed, Allah is Knowing of it): ‘whatever’ indicates ‘portioning.’ Thus, Allah is All-Knowing of whatever charity, whether big or small, one gives away. And it’s the most sufficient to have it known by the Almighty.

In all, what matters is to make your actions purely intended in the way of Allah (swt) because you have deeds and spend in the way of the Almighty.

[1] Hadith no. Chapter: The virtue of wudu’, The Book of Purification, Sahih Muslim.

[2] Hadith no. 7445, Chapter: Obeying the people in power, Branches of Faith.

[3] Hadith 1392, Chapter: The virtue of spending and giving charity to relatives, the Book of Zakat, Sahih Al-Bukhari.