his guest by giving him their supper, put the children to sleep, and he and his wife spent the night hungry.

Thereupon Allah, Glorified and Exalted, revealed:

“They give others preference over themselves, even though they themselves are in need.”

[Surah al-Hashr: 9] (1).

This praise is greater than the praise in His words:

“They give food, despite loving it, to a needy person.”

[Surah al-Insān: 8],

for this is like His words:

“and gives wealth, despite loving it, to relatives, orphans, and the needy.”

[Surah al-Baqara: 177].

The two Sahihs report from the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—that “he was asked, ‘Which charity is best?’ He replied, ‘That you give in charity (2) while you are healthy and reluctant to part with your wealth, hoping to remain alive and fearing poverty. Do not delay until your soul reaches your throat and then say, “So-and-so is to have this much, and so-and-so that much,” when it has already become so-and-so’s.’” (3).

Allah Most High also says:

“You will never attain righteousness until you spend from what you love.”

[Surah Āl Imrān: 92].

Giving in charity something a person loves is a general category comprising many kinds. As for preferring others (4) while one is in need, that is more perfect than merely giving in charity while loving what one gives. Not everyone who gives charity from what he loves thereby prefers others to himself, nor is everyone who gives charity personally in need. A person may instead give away some of what he loves while retaining enough for himself: he loves it, yet does not suffer privation.