Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (p.b.u.h) said, "A man said that he would give something in charity. He went out with his object of charity and unknowingly gave it to a thief. Next morning the people said that he had given his object of charity to a thief. (On hearing that) he said, "O Allah! All the praises are for you. I will give alms again." And so he again went out with his alms and (unknowingly) gave it to an adulteress. Next morning the people said that he had given his alms to an adulteress last night. The man said, "O Allah! All the praises are for you. (I gave my alms) to an adulteress. I will give alms again." So he went out with his alms again and (unknowingly) gave it to a rich person. (The people) next morning said that he had given his alms to a wealthy person. He said, "O Allah! All the praises are for you. (I had given alms) to a thief, to an adulteress and to a wealthy man." Then someone came and said to him, "The alms which you gave to the thief, might make him abstain from stealing, and that given to the adulteress might make her abstain from illegal sexual intercourse (adultery), and that given to the wealthy man might make him take a lesson from it and spend his wealth which Allah has given him, in Allah's cause."
Hadith Commentary: The Sincere Intent in Charity
This profound narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 1421 teaches us that the acceptance of charity before Allah depends primarily on the purity of intention (niyyah) rather than the apparent outcome. The man's repeated charity to undeserving recipients demonstrates that reward is based on one's sincere effort to please Allah alone.
Divine Wisdom in Apparent Misfortune
The scholar Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains in Fath al-Bari that Allah tests the sincerity of His servants through circumstances that seem unfavorable. The man's consistent response of "Alhamdulillah" and renewed determination shows perfect trust in Divine Decree.
Imam al-Nawawi comments in Sharh Sahih Muslim that this hadith illustrates how apparent failures in charitable distribution do not diminish the reward when the intention was pure. The final explanation reveals Allah's hidden wisdom - that even seemingly misplaced charity can become a means of guidance.
Juridical Implications for Zakat Distribution
Classical scholars derive from this hadith that if one distributes zakat in good faith to someone they believe is eligible, but later discovers the recipient was ineligible, the obligation is fulfilled and no repetition is required. The Book "Obligatory Charity Tax (Zakat)" in Sahih al-Bukhari contains this principle.
The Hanafi school particularly emphasizes that zakat is valid when given based on apparent eligibility, even if hidden conditions are not met. This protects the donor from unnecessary burden and encourages charitable giving without excessive scrutiny that might deter generosity.
Spiritual Lessons in Perseverance
The man's perseverance through three apparent failures teaches us that worship should continue regardless of outward results. His focus remained on pleasing Allah rather than seeking human approval or visible outcomes.
This narration encourages Muslims to maintain consistent charity despite uncertainties, trusting that Allah will accept sincere efforts and potentially use them in ways beyond human comprehension for the benefit of recipients.