Giving for the Cause of God

A believer had best earn his own living Anas ibn Malik recounts how a Muslim from the Helpers once came begging to the Prophet. The latter asked him what possessions he had at home. “Just a simple sheet in which I wrap myself and a cup out of which I drink,” replied the Helper. The Prophet told him to bring the cup and, when he had done so, the Prophet asked those present to put a price on it. One person offered one dirham, then another, raising the price to two dirhams, bought the cup. The Prophet gave the Helper the two dirhams, telling him to spend one on his household, and to buy an axe blade with the other and to bring it to him. When he did so, the Prophet himself fitted a handle to the blade, telling the Helper to go and fetch wood from the forest, and not to come back for another fifteen days. The Helper started work, hewing wood from the forest and then carrying it to the town to sell it. Two weeks later he reappeared before the Prophet, and in the account he gave him of what he had spent and what he had earned, it turned out that he had saved ten dirhams after meeting all his expenses. The Prophet was well pleased and said: “This is more fitting than that on the Day of Resurrection, you should have the mark of the beggar upon you. (ABU DAWUD, IBN MAJAH)