Spending in the cause of Allah and establishing the religion during the earliest days of Islam is far greater than giving charity to a needy beggar. Hence, the Prophet—peace and blessings of Allah be upon him—said:

“Do not revile my Companions. By Him in whose hand is my soul, if one of you were to spend gold equal to Mount Uhud, it would not equal a mudd (1) spent by one of them, nor even half of it.” (2)

It is narrated in both Sahih collections (3).

Allah Most High says:

“Those among you who spent and fought before the conquest are not equal to those who did so afterward. They are greater in rank than those who spent and fought afterward, though Allah has promised the best reward to each.”

[Surah al-Hadīd: 10].

Likewise, nothing comparable has ever equaled the spending undertaken during the earliest days of Islam to establish the religion.

As for giving to beggars because of their need, acts of righteousness such as this will continue to exist until the Day of Resurrection. If the Prophet—peace and blessings of Allah be upon him—did not offer a supplication like this on account of those tremendous, beneficial, and indispensable expenditures (4), how could he offer it (5) merely because a ring was given to a beggar who might have been lying about his need?