One who makes efforts (for earning to be spent) on a widow and the destitute is like a striver in the cause of Allah, and I think he also said: He is like one who constantly stands for prayer and observes fast without breaking it.
The Book of Zuhd and Softening of Hearts - Sahih Muslim 2982
One who makes efforts (for earning to be spent) on a widow and the destitute is like a striver in the cause of Allah, and I think he also said: He is like one who constantly stands for prayer and observes fast without breaking it.
Commentary on the Hadith
This noble hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) elevates the status of providing for widows and the destitute to the level of jihad in Allah's cause. The comparison to one who constantly prays and fasts without interruption demonstrates the immense spiritual reward for this act of charity.
The widow represents those who have lost their provider and protector, while the destitute encompasses all those in genuine need. The effort mentioned includes both physical labor to earn lawful provision and the spiritual intention behind giving it to those in need.
Scholars explain that this hadith encourages Muslims to care for society's most vulnerable members, making their provision a form of worship equivalent to the highest acts of devotion. The phrase "I think he also said" indicates the narrator's careful transmission, showing the precision of hadith preservation.
Spiritual Significance
This teaching transforms worldly labor into spiritual worship when performed with the right intention for helping others. It demonstrates Islam's comprehensive approach to worship, where earning halal livelihood for dependents becomes an act of devotion.
The comparison to continuous prayer and fasting emphasizes the consistency required in providing for others - not as occasional charity but as sustained commitment to those under one's care or within one's community.