when Gabriel would meet him, and at those times he was more generous in goodness than the free-blowing wind.

Charity offered during periods of hardship is superior, for Allah says, “or feeding, on a day of severe hunger, an orphan of near kinship, or a destitute person in utter misery” (90:14-16).

In the same vein, giving to relatives and neighbors surpasses giving to those who are farther away. Allah has enjoined kindness to family members and assigned them a right in many verses, such as: “And give the near of kin his due” (17:26). The Prophet ﷺ said, “Charity to a poor stranger is charity, while charity to a relative earns two rewards: charity and the maintenance of kinship,” related by the Five and others. In al-Bukhārī and Muslim it is reported, “Two rewards: one for the bond of kinship and one for the charity itself.”

Know that wealth bears obligations beyond the mandatory zakat: supporting needy relatives, assisting brothers, giving to the petitioner, lending to the one in want, granting respite to the insolvent, and providing loans. Allah says, “And in their wealth was a due share for the asker and the deprived” (51:19).

Feeding the hungry, honoring the guest, clothing the unclothed, and quenching the thirsty are all duties. Imām Mālik (may Allah have mercy on him) even held that Muslims are obliged to ransom their captives, even if that were to consume all of their wealth.