[Commentary]
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—relates from Abu Dharr that a group of people said, “Messenger of Allah, the people of wealth have carried off all the rewards,” meaning that they have monopolized them and left us with none. The phrase “people of wealth” refers to those who possess money: they perform the prayer as we do, they fast as we do, yet they give charity from the surplus of their riches. In other words, we and they are equal in prayer and fasting, but they surpass us by donating the extra wealth Allah has granted them, whereas we have nothing to give.

This resembles another report about the poor Emigrants, who said, “They set slaves free while we cannot.” Observe the lofty aspirations of the Companions—may Allah be pleased with them; they envied their brothers for the blessings Allah had bestowed on them—money with which they could give charity and liberate slaves. They did not say, “They have excess wealth with which to ride luxurious mounts, live in splendid palaces, and wear fine clothes.” That is because they were a people who sought what is better and more enduring, namely the Hereafter. Allah the Exalted says, “No indeed! You prefer the life of this world, whereas the Hereafter is better and more lasting” (Qur’an 87:16–17), and He said to His Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—“The Hereafter will indeed be better for you than the present life” (Qur’an 93:4).

Thus their complaint to the Messenger—peace and blessings be upon him—was one of laudable envy, not malicious jealousy, nor an objection to Allah’s decree. Rather, they were seeking a virtue by which they might equal those whom Allah had enriched and who therefore gave from the excess of their wealth.

The Prophet ﷺ replied, “Has not Allah granted you that by means of which you can give charity?”—meaning that if