Hadiths from The upper hand is better than the lower hand, and the upper hand is the one that gives and the lower hand is the one that receives by The upper hand is better than the lower hand, and the upper hand is the one that gives and the lower hand is the one that receives

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ أَنَسٍ، فِيمَا قُرِئَ عَلَيْهِ عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ، اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ وَهُوَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ وَهُوَ يَذْكُرُ الصَّدَقَةَ وَالتَّعَفُّفَ عَنِ الْمَسْأَلَةِ ‏"‏ الْيَدُ الْعُلْيَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْيَدِ السُّفْلَى وَالْيَدُ الْعُلْيَا الْمُنْفِقَةُ وَالسُّفْلَى السَّائِلَةُ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Translation

Abdullah b. Umar reported that as Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was sitting on the pulpit and talking about Sadaqa and abstention from begging, he said

The upper hand is better than the lower one, the upper being the one which bestows and the lower one which begs.

darussalam Sahih Muslim 1033

in-book Book 12, Hadith 122

usc-msa Book 5, Hadith 2253

Notes

Comment

The Book of Zakat - Sahih Muslim 1033

This narration from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) establishes the virtue of giving over receiving. The "upper hand" symbolizes the giver in charity, while the "lower hand" represents the recipient of charity.

Scholarly Commentary

The scholars explain that this hadith encourages self-sufficiency and generosity while discouraging unnecessary begging. The giver enjoys multiple blessings: fulfilling a religious obligation, purifying wealth, and receiving divine reward.

Imam Nawawi comments that this applies to voluntary charity, while obligatory zakat recipients are not blameworthy. The "upper hand" maintains dignity by giving, while the "lower hand" risks humility through asking.

Practical Implications

Muslims should strive to be among the givers rather than receivers whenever possible. This promotes community interdependence while preserving individual dignity.

The hadith does not condemn legitimate need but encourages working to become self-sufficient and then helping others, creating a virtuous cycle of charity.