Oneness, Uniqueness of Allah (Tawheed)

Sahih al-Bukhari 7430

Hadith Text

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "If somebody gives in charity something equal to a date from his honestly earned money ----for nothing ascends to Allah except good---- then Allah will take it in His Right (Hand) and bring it up for its owner as anyone of you brings up a baby horse, till it becomes like a mountain." Abu Huraira said: The Prophet said, "Nothing ascends to Allah except good."

Commentary on Divine Acceptance

The phrase "nothing ascends to Allah except good" establishes that Allah only accepts righteous deeds performed with sincerity and purity. The specification of "honestly earned money" emphasizes that the source of charity must be lawful (halal), as Allah is Pure and accepts only what is pure.

Metaphor of Divine Magnification

Allah taking the charity in His Right Hand signifies honor and acceptance. The comparison to nurturing a baby horse illustrates how Allah cultivates and multiplies even the smallest good deed. Just as a foal grows into a mighty steed, a date's worth of sincere charity becomes magnified to mountain-like proportions in divine scales.

Scholarly Insights

Classical scholars note that the repetition of "nothing ascends to Allah except good" underscores its fundamental importance. Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains that this hadith combines both the condition of lawful earnings and sincere intention, demonstrating that external purity and internal purity are both required for divine acceptance.

Imam al-Nawawi comments that the magnification of reward occurs both in this world through blessings and in the Hereafter through multiplied recompense, reflecting Allah's boundless generosity toward those who obey Him with pure hearts.