527 – Abu Saʿid al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “Zaynab, the wife of Ibn Masʿud, came and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, today you instructed us to give charity. I have some jewelry of my own and I wished to donate it, but Ibn Masʿud claims that he and his children are more entitled to receive it.’ The Prophet ﷺ replied, ‘Ibn Masʿud has spoken the truth; your husband and your children are the most deserving of your charity.’ ” Collected by al-Bukhari. (1)

— Glossary of the ḥadith
– “Wife of Ibn Masʿud”: Zaynab bint ʿAbd Allah ibn Muʿāwiyah, from the tribe of Thaqīf.
– “Jewelry” (ḥulī): items with which a woman adorns herself—fashioned from gold, silver, precious stones, and the like.
– “Claims” (zaʿama): in Arabic the verb can introduce a true or false statement; it is often used for something whose reality is uncertain, which is the sense here.

— Points derived from the ḥadith

1. The excellence of voluntary charity.
2. It is recommended to begin with those nearest of kin—such as a husband and needy children—even when their maintenance is not obligatory upon the giver; in such a case it counts as both charity and maintaining family ties.
3. A woman may give charity from her own wealth and dispose of it without her husband’s permission.