The beloved grandson of the Prophet (ﷺ), Imam Hasan (RA), was once approached by a man who stated his need and requested financial assistance. To this, the Imam replied:
“Because of your request, the obligation that has fallen upon me is immensely high in my sight. The assistance I ought to provide you is a grand sum. No matter how much a servant spends in the way of Allah, it is always very little! If you agree to joyfully accept whatever I have with me, and promise not to compel me to seek more from elsewhere, I am ready to give it to you with a happy heart.”
The seeker of help replied, “O grandson of the Messenger of Allah! Whatever you bestow, I shall accept it and remain forever grateful for it.”
Immediately, Imam Hasan (RA) directed his treasurer, “Bring the remainder of the three hundred thousand dirhams (that I had entrusted to you).” The treasurer brought the remaining fifty thousand dirhams (as the rest had already been spent in charity).
Imam Hasan (RA) then asked, “Were there not five hundred dinars somewhere else as well?” The treasurer replied, “Yes! They are here too.” The Imam said, “Bring them as well.”
Once all the money was brought, the Imam told the man, “Hire laborers to carry this money and deliver it to your house.”
The man returned with two laborers. Imam Hasan (RA) handed over all the money to the man, removed the cloak from his own blessed body, gave it to him, and said, “It is my responsibility to pay the wages of these two laborers who will carry this money to your house. Therefore, sell this cloak and use the proceeds to pay their wages.”
The servants of Imam Hasan (RA) remarked, “We do not have even a single dirham left with us for food now! You have given away all the money!”
To this, Hazrat Hasan (RA) replied, “I have absolute faith and trust in Allah Almighty. He, through His grace, will fulfill my needs.”
In this manner, the Companions of the Prophet found immense joy in helping others, solely seeking the pleasure of Allah.
Quranic Verse
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَتْلُونَ كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَأَنفَقُوا مِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً يَرْجُونَ تِجَارَةً لَّن تَبُورَ لِيُوَفِّيَهُمْ أُجُورَهُمْ وَيَزِيدَهُم مِّن فَضْلِهِ إِنَّهُ غَفُورٌ شَكُورٌ
“Indeed, those who recite the Book of Allah and establish prayer and spend [in His cause] out of what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, can expect a profit that will never perish — That He may give them in full their rewards and increase for them of His bounty. Indeed, He is Forgiving and Appreciative.”
— Surah Al-Fatir: 29, 30
