for they do so for Allah’s sake, and it is by this that they are distinguished. As Allah Most High says of them:

“We feed you only for the sake of Allah, seeking neither reward nor thanks from you.”

[Surah al-Insān: 9]

As for al-Siddīq’s spending and comparable deeds, they took place at the beginning of Islam to rescue those who had believed while the unbelievers were persecuting them or seeking to kill them. One example was his use of his wealth to purchase seven people who were being tortured for Allah’s sake, among them Bilāl. Umar therefore said:

“Abū Bakr is our master, and he set our master free,” meaning Bilāl (1).

He also spent on needy believers and in support of Islam (2), at a time when all the inhabitants of the earth were enemies of Islam. No opportunity for comparable spending remained thereafter. This is why the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said in the hadith whose authenticity is agreed upon:

“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 given by one of them, nor even half of it.” (3)

This refers to the kind of spending that was unique to them. As for feeding the hungry without qualification, this is open to all and can be practiced until the Day of Resurrection.

[Section: The Twenty-Second Proof: “The One Who Brought the Truth and Believed in It—Those Are the God-Fearing,” and the Response to It]

Section

The Rāfidī said (4): “The twenty-second proof is the saying of Allah Most High:

‘The one who brought the truth and believed in it—those are the God-fearing.’

[Surah al-Zumar: 33]

It is reported through Abū Nuaym, from Mujāhid, regarding His words:

‘The one who brought the truth’