The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "If I had gold equal to the mountain of Uhud, I would love that, before three days had passed, not a single Dinar thereof remained with me if I found somebody to accept it excluding some amount that I would keep for the payment of my debts.''
Exposition of the Hadith
This noble tradition from Sahih al-Bukhari (7228) demonstrates the Prophet's complete detachment from worldly possessions and his exemplary generosity. The mountain of Uhud, a well-known landmark in Medina, represents an immense quantity of wealth, yet the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) expressed his desire to distribute it entirely within three days, retaining only what was necessary to settle outstanding debts.
Scholarly Commentary
Imam al-Qurtubi explains that this hadith illustrates the perfection of the Prophet's trust in Allah (tawakkul), as he preferred to distribute wealth immediately rather than hoard it for future uncertainties.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani in Fath al-Bari notes that the specification of three days indicates the urgency with which the Prophet would act upon charitable deeds, not delaying good actions when the means are available.
The exclusion for debt payment teaches us the Islamic principle that fulfilling financial obligations takes precedence over voluntary charity, as rights of others must be honored before optional acts of worship.
Spiritual Lessons
This teaching encourages Muslims to cultivate generosity and avoid excessive attachment to material wealth while maintaining financial responsibility.
The hadith demonstrates the middle path in Islam - neither complete asceticism nor worldly indulgence, but rather using wealth as a means to benefit others while fulfilling one's obligations.