If someone were to say: “People’s circumstances are corrupt today. If you were to admonish him with these words, he would not take heed—so what is the answer?”

The answer is that we have an excellent example in the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. So we admonish him with what the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, admonished him. If he persists, and we know nothing contrary to what he claims, then we give to him. But if he persists in asking while we know that his claim is false, then we do not give to him.

Voluntary Charity Is Recommended …

His statement, “Voluntary charity is recommended”: this is an instance of attributing a thing to its category. Voluntary charity means charity that is not obligatory, but which a person offers voluntarily, giving it for the sake of Allah.

His statement, “recommended,” means that it is a Sunnah and legislated, especially when people are in need of it.

Know that, according to the Hanbalis, there is no difference between “recommended” and “Sunnah”: both carry the same meaning. Thus, we say that using the siwak is recommended, or that using the siwak is Sunnah—there is no difference. Some scholars, however, held that whatever is established by a textual proof is Sunnah, whereas whatever is established through independent reasoning and analogy is recommended.

The evidence that it is recommended is both textual and rational.

As for the textual evidence: Allah praised those who give charity, saying:

“Surely the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women…” until He says, “…the charitable men and charitable women…” And at the end of the verse He says: “Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a tremendous reward.” [al-Ahzab 33:35]

And Allah Most High says:

“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like that of a grain which grows seven ears…” [al-Baqarah 2:261]

And Allah Most High says:

“Allah destroys usury and increases charitable deeds.” [al-Baqarah 2:276]