While I was sitting with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) (p.b.u.h) two person came to him; one of them complained about his poverty and the other complained about the prevalence of robberies. Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "As regards stealing and robberies, there will shortly come a time when a caravan will go to Mecca (from Medina) without any guard. And regarding poverty, The Hour (Day of Judgment) will not be established till one of you wanders about with his object of charity and will not find anybody to accept it And (no doubt) each one of you will stand in front of Allah and there will be neither a curtain nor an interpreter between him and Allah, and Allah will ask him, 'Did not I give you wealth?' He will reply in the affirmative. Allah will further ask, 'Didn't send a messenger to you?' And again that person will reply in the affirmative Then he will look to his right and he will see nothing but Hell-fire, and then he will look to his left and will see nothing but Hell-fire. And so, any (each one) of you should save himself from the fire even by giving half of a date-fruit (in charity). And if you do not find a hall datefruit, then (you can do it through saying) a good pleasant word (to your brethren). (See Hadith No. 793 Vol. 4).
Hadith Context and Significance
This profound narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 1413 presents two distinct prophetic signs regarding poverty and security, while emphasizing the ultimate accountability before Allah. The setting shows the Prophet's accessibility to common people and his wisdom in addressing both immediate worldly concerns and eternal spiritual realities.
Scholarly Commentary on Poverty and Charity
The complaint about poverty reflects a legitimate worldly concern, yet the Prophet redirects attention to the greater spiritual poverty of failing to give charity when one has the means. The description of people wandering with charity that cannot be accepted indicates both future abundance and spiritual decline.
Classical scholars like Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explain this as a sign of approaching Qiyamah where material wealth will be plentiful but sincere recipients of zakat will be scarce, either due to widespread wealth or lack of pious intention in giving.
The Ultimate Accountability
The vivid description of standing before Allah without any intermediary underscores the direct relationship between Creator and creation. Scholars emphasize that Allah's questioning about wealth and messengers highlights the two primary blessings for which humans are accountable: material provision and divine guidance.
Imam al-Nawawi comments that this scene demonstrates how worldly possessions become witnesses either for or against their owners on Judgment Day, depending on how they were utilized in obedience to Allah's commands.
Practical Implementation of Charity
The Prophet's instruction to save oneself from Hellfire even with half a date establishes the principle that charity is not quantified by amount but by sincerity and consistency. This accommodates all economic levels in fulfilling the obligation of zakat and voluntary charity.
When material charity is impossible, "a good pleasant word" serves as spiritual charity. Scholars like Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali explain this includes kind speech, teaching knowledge, giving advice, or even smiling at a fellow Muslim - all forms of charity rewarded by Allah.
Eschatological Signs
The security described where caravans travel without guards indicates a temporary period of peace before greater tribulations. Scholars note this may refer to the reign of just rulers or specific periods in Islamic history where Islamic law was properly implemented.
The conjunction of these two signs - security and abundance with difficulty in giving charity - illustrates the tests of both adversity and prosperity that believers must navigate while maintaining consciousness of their ultimate return to Allah.