He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) goes on: Whoever is able to not need to ask from others, Allah will make him self-sufficient. Stop yourself from asking people for loans, or for anything else, whether it’s money or otherwise. Don’t get into that habit; avoid it as much as you can. Allah says He will make him self-sufficient.
There is a Hadith from the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), found in Bukhari and Muslim. He said, meaning the hand that gives is better than the hand that begs and receives. In other words, financial independence is better than financial dependence.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) goes on by saying, “And start with your dependents first in who you give and spend on.” Someone asked, “Who are our financial dependents?” He said, “Your wife, your children, and anyone who is dependent on you for their livelihood. You start with them first from your wealth, before anyone else.”
He also said (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) – listen carefully – the best type of charity is from what is left over beyond one’s financial needs. This means your savings and profit. The best charity comes *after* what you spend on yourself, your wife, your children, and your dependents. Whatever is left over that you don’t need for your family and livelihood (your shelter, clothing, food, security, and so on) – the best charity you can give is from *that*.
Why? Because there’s a priority: dependents take priority. Being obliged to spend on your dependents is more beloved to Allah because often no one else is going to spend on them but you. Also, spending on your dependents is an obligation, which is also considered a charity. In fact, it is the best charity of all charities. What is obliged is the best charity of all.
He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) goes on: Whoever is able to not need to ask from others, Allah will make him self-sufficient. Stop yourself from asking people for loans, asking people for whether it’s money or anything else. Don’t go into that habit; avoid it as much as you can. Allah says He will make him self-sufficient.
Then he says, whoever is satisfied with what they have, Allah will bless their wealth, and their wealth will increase. Or, it also means, whoever relies on the abilities Allah blessed them with and seeks financial independence, Allah will assist him in his seeking and his efforts.
So, what have we understood from this?
* A Muslim should strive to be financially independent as much as they can.
* If not yet independent, they should seek it and work, not sit and wait using justifications and excuses that Allah is going to provide them without moving.
* Avoid begging, asking, and getting out of that habit.
* Family and dependents are more worthy and come in priority. It is Haram (forbidden) to neglect them, even in the name of charity to others.
* The best charity is to your dependents first.
* The next best charity is from what’s left over of your wealth, given to others.
* Fulfilling the obligation towards your family is a charity for which you get rewarded.
Someone asked the Prophet (peace be upon him), “Who are those you said are the dependents, O Messenger of Allah?” And he said, “Your wife, so that your wife does not say, ‘My husband, you have neglected me, so leave me, I can’t live with you.’ Or your child says, ‘Oh Father, you have left me barren and vulnerable, where do I go?'” These are the words of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).
Allah says in the Quran, Surah An-Nisa (Chapter 4), Verse 9:
“And let those [executors and guardians] fear [injustice] who, if they themselves were to leave behind helpless children, would fear for them. So let them fear Allah and speak words of appropriate justice.”
What does this verse mean? Allah is telling us that there is a legitimate fear of poverty for your children and family if you were to die and leave them behind with no financial resources or wealth to look after themselves.
There is a misconception among Muslims where they say, “Allah will provide for them.” It is absolutely true that Allah will provide, but Allah has also already provided us with resources and the ability to work, and He commanded us to do that. So, anything Allah commands us to do means we take some of that responsibility. The responsibility is to do our part. In the end, whether Allah provides or doesn’t is in the hands of Allah, and everyone’s provision is written. However, you still have to work towards it, and even your working towards it is written. Allah facilitates everything fairly and justly.
The meaning of this verse also relates to people who, before they die, want to donate all their wealth in charity, or start giving wealth unfairly to certain people over others, or designate it for some children rather than others, or hide it. Allah is telling them: let them fear leaving behind offspring who will be barren and vulnerable. So fear Allah.
Allah did not say, “Give your wealth away and don’t worry about your children, I will provide for them.” No. Providing comes in two ways: Allah provides without you asking, and He also provides through your effort. The Hadith of the Prophet is very clear: Allah will assist the person when they make the effort.
Inheritance, therefore, is important. How can you leave behind wealth for your children and family if you yourself are not wealthy and have not sought to become so?
Now, we are not talking about people around the world who are disadvantaged due to oppression, government corruption, war, or disasters. Those people must be patient, and Allah will still provide for them. We are talking about people whom Allah has given security and safety in their land.