that the testimony to Allah’s oneness must be properly understood, such that it prevents the one who professes it from worshipping anything besides Allah in any of the recognised forms of worship.

And that if one who professes it falls short in observing some of the legal rulings, or commits certain sins, this does not mean that he does not deserve to be punished for them—unless Allah forgives him. *

3982—(“I think you should give it to your closest relatives.”)

Reported by al-Bukhari (1461), Muslim (3/79), and Ahmad (3/141 and 256), through Ishaq ibn Abd Allah ibn Abi Talhah, who heard Anas ibn Malik—may Allah be pleased with him—say:

Abu Talhah possessed more wealth in date palms than any of the Ansar in Medina. The property most beloved to him was Bayruha’, which faced the mosque. The Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—would enter it and drink its pleasant water. Anas said:

When this verse was revealed: “You will never attain righteousness until you spend from that which you love,” Abu Talhah went to the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—and said, “Messenger of Allah, Allah says: ‘You will never attain righteousness until you spend from that which you love.’ The property most beloved to me is Bayruha’, and I give it in charity for Allah’s sake, hoping for its righteousness and its reward stored with Allah. So dispose of it, Messenger of Allah, as Allah shows you.”

The Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—said:

“Excellent! That is a profitable property, that is a profitable property! I have heard what you said, and I think ...” He then mentioned the hadith.