Chapter: One must not refuse the person who asks by invoking Allah

Ibn ʿUmar—may Allah be pleased with them both—reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “If someone seeks refuge with Allah, grant him refuge; if someone asks you by Allah, give to him; if someone invites you, answer him; and if someone shows you a kindness, reward him. If you find nothing with which to reward him, then pray for him until you feel that you have repaid him.” (1) Reported by Abū Dāwūd and al-Nasāʾī with a sound chain of transmission.

Connection of this chapter to the Book of Monotheism: refusing a person who asks by Allah betrays a lack of reverence and esteem for Allah Himself, and that undermines pure monotheism.

“Whoever seeks refuge with Allah”: that is, whoever turns to Allah and asks you to protect him from your harm or the harm of someone else.

“Grant him refuge”: keep him safe from the matter he fears and restrain it from reaching him, out of veneration for Allah’s Name.

“Whoever asks you by Allah”: meaning, he says, “I ask you by Allah.”

“Give to him”: grant him what he requests, provided he is not asking for something sinful or that severs family ties.

“Whoever invites you”: whether to food or to anything else.

“Respond to him”: accept his invitation.

“And whoever shows you a kindness”: i.e., anyone who does you any good at all.