Hadith Text

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Allah said, 'O son of Adam! Spend, and I shall spend on you."

Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 5352

Context and Meaning

This sacred hadith qudsi (divine saying) emphasizes the principle of divine reciprocity in spending for Allah's sake. The address "O son of Adam" encompasses all humanity, indicating this promise applies to every believer.

The command to "spend" refers primarily to charitable giving (sadaqah) from one's lawful wealth in ways pleasing to Allah, including supporting one's family, helping the needy, and contributing to righteous causes.

Divine Promise

Allah's assurance "I shall spend on you" contains multiple meanings: increase in worldly provision, blessings in one's wealth, spiritual rewards in the Hereafter, and protection from loss. The divine spending far exceeds what the servant spends.

This demonstrates Allah's boundless generosity - when the servant gives from what Allah has already provided, Allah replaces it with something greater in both quantity and quality.

Scholarly Commentary

Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains in Fath al-Bari that this hadith encourages spending while trusting in Allah's promise of recompense. The spending should be from lawful earnings and in lawful ways.

Scholars note that the reward corresponds to the sincerity and circumstances of the giver. A small amount given by a poor person with pure intention may be greater in Allah's sight than large amounts given for show.

This teaching forms the foundation for the Islamic economic principle that charity purifies wealth and brings divine increase, benefiting both individual and society.