—means what exceeds his own needs. That is, it is recommended for one to give in charity from what exceeds his own sufficiency and the sufficiency of those whom he supports—that is, those whose maintenance he is obliged to provide.

The evidence for this is the Prophet’s saying: “The upper hand is better than the lower hand, and begin with those under your care.” (1)

This indicates that voluntary charity comes second in priority after providing sufficiently for those under one’s care.

He ﷺ also said: “The best charity is that given out of surplus wealth.” (2) That is, out of wealth remaining beyond one’s needs.

If someone were to ask: How, then, do we understand the Prophet’s answer when he was asked, “Which charity is best?” and he replied, “The utmost effort of one with little”? (3)

The answer is that there is no contradiction. What is meant by the utmost effort of one with little is what exceeds his own sufficiency and the sufficiency of those whom he supports; such a person is unlike one who is wealthy.

Thus, if one man gives ten dirhams in charity, this being only what remains beyond his own sufficiency, while another gives ten dirhams though he possesses ten million, which of the two is better?

The first is better, because this represents his utmost effort.