One early morning when they were with God’s messenger some people came to him who were scantily clad, wearing stripedwoollen garments,* with swords over their shoulders; most, nay all ofthem, belonging to Mudar. God’s messenger showed signs of anger onhis face because of the poverty-stricken state in which he saw them,and went in. After a little he came out and gave orders to Bilal whouttered the call to prayer and announced that the time to begin prayerhad come. When the Prophet had prayed, he delivered an address in which he said, “ ‘Fear your Lord, people, who created you from onesoul . . . God watches over you.’[Qur’an, iv, 1] ‘Fear God, and let a soul look towhat it has sent forward for the morrow. [Ibid., lix, 18] Let a man give sadaqafrom his dinars and dirhams, his clothing, his sa‘ of wheat and sa‘ ofdates, even if it is only half a date.” Jarir said: One of the Ansarbrought a purse which was almost too big for his hand to hold, indeedit was too big. Then people came one after the other till I saw twomounds of food and clothing, with the result that I saw the face of God’smessenger glowing as if it were golden. He then said, “If anyone establishes a good sunna in Islam he will have a reward for it and theequivalent of the rewards of those who act upon it after him, withouttheirs being diminished in any respect; but he who establishes a badsunna in Islam will bear the responsibility of it and the responsibilityof those who act upon it after him, without theirs being diminished inany respect.” Muslim transmitted it. *[The text has an-nimar au al-'aba, thus giving an alternative word. This is not indicated inthe translation above.]
Contextual Analysis
This narration from Mishkat al-Masabih 210 presents a profound incident where poverty-stricken companions from Mudar tribe approached the Prophet (ﷺ) in a destitute state, wearing only striped woolen garments with swords.
The Prophet's visible anger was not directed at the people but at their impoverished condition, demonstrating his deep concern for the Ummah's welfare and his role as the merciful guide.
Spiritual Dimensions of Charity
The Prophet's emphasis on giving "even half a date" teaches that no act of charity is too small in Allah's sight. The spiritual value lies in the sincerity and consciousness of Allah, not the quantity.
The transformation of the Prophet's countenance from anger to "glowing as if golden" illustrates divine pleasure when the community responds to spiritual guidance and practices mutual care.
Doctrine of Establishing Precedents
The concluding teaching about establishing good and bad sunnah carries immense legal and spiritual weight. A "good sunnah" refers to initiating righteous practices that others follow, bringing continuous reward without diminishing others' rewards.
Conversely, initiating evil practices incurs continuous burden of sin. This principle underscores the responsibility of Muslims, especially scholars and leaders, in setting positive religious and social precedents.
Practical Implementation
Scholars derive that charity encompasses all forms of wealth - currency, food, clothing - and should be given according to one's capacity, emphasizing consistency over quantity.
The community's rapid response demonstrates the importance of collective responsibility in alleviating poverty and the transformative power of following prophetic guidance in social welfare.