(Haarithah bin Nu’maan [radhiyallahu ‘anhu] #2)
At some point in his life, Sayyiduna Haarithah bin Nu’maan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) lost his sight. After losing his sight, he placed a basket filled with dates and other similar items near his musalla, and also had a string tied between his musalla and the door of his home.
When any beggar would knock on the door of Haarithah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), he would take some dates from the basket and then use the string to find his way to the door of his home where the beggar awaited him. In this manner, he would ensure that he personally gave the beggar something from his own hand.
When his family would see him undertaking so much of difficulty to give the sadaqah to the beggar, they would pity him and say, “We will give the charity to the beggar on your behalf!” However, he would insist on personally giving the sadaqah to the beggar and would say, “I heard Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mention, ‘Giving something to a beggar with your own hand (is an action that) saves from an evil death’.”
(Tabraani – Majma‘uz Zawaaid #4683)
Lessons:
1. If a person is blind, handicapped or challenged in some other way, he can still find a way to carry out righteous deeds. In fact, since he has to overcome difficulties that others do not face, his reward will be greater.
2. As far as possible, avoid turning a beggar away empty handed. We do not always have to give money to a beggar. Instead, we can give him something to eat. However, if we do not wish to give him anything, then we should politely and gently decline, without being abusive, vulgar and without shouting at him.
3. Apart from us ensuring that we personally give sadaqah to beggars with our own hands to receive the promise mentioned in the hadeeth, we should also train our children in this regard. We should make them give the sadaqah to the beggar, under our watch and supervision, so that they practically learn to show kindness to others.
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