999 – On the authority of Abū Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and said, “Messenger of Allah, I have one dīnār.” He replied, “Spend it on yourself.” The man said, “I have another.” He said, “Spend it on your child.” The man said, “I have another.” He said, “Spend it on your wife.” The man said, “I have another.” He said, “Spend it on your servant.” The man said, “I have another.” He said, “You know best.”

It was recorded by al-Shāfiʿī—this is his wording—and by Abū Dāwūd; al-Nasāʾī and al-Ḥākim also narrated it, but with the wife placed before the child (1).

Degree of authenticity:
The ḥadīth is ḥasan (sound).

Al-ʿIrāqī, in At-Talkhīṣ, said: “It was transmitted by al-Shāfiʿī, Aḥmad, al-Nasāʾī, Abū Dāwūd, Ibn Ḥibbān, and al-Ḥākim through the narration of Abū Hurayrah. Al-Ḥākim declared it ‘upon the conditions of Muslim,’ al-Dhahabī agreed, and Ibn Ḥibbān graded it ṣaḥīḥ (authentic).”

Ibn Ḥazm wrote: “Ibn al-Qaṭṭān and al-Thawrī differed: Ibn al-Qaṭṭān placed the wife before the child, whereas Sufyān preferred the child over the wife.”

Al-Ḥāfiẓ said: “Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim contains, through the narration of Jābir, wording that puts the household ahead of the child without hesitation; that version may therefore be given preference over the other.”

Vocabulary and notes:
• The questioner was asking about giving his dīnārs as charity, but the Prophet ﷺ directed him to what is more important and obligatory—providing for dependants—in keeping with his wise pedagogical method.
• “You know best” means: you are most familiar with those who deserve charity; therefore, investigate and exercise sound judgment.