Narrated from Sayyiduna Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) that a woman came to Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) (to ask for something), so she gave her three dates. She gave one date each to her two children and kept one for herself. After eating their dates, the children began to look at their mother. The woman took her date, split it into two pieces, and gave half to each child (and did not eat anything herself). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came, so Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) mentioned this incident to him. He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "What amazes you about this? Surely Allah has shown mercy to her because she showed mercy to her children."
Hadith Referenceالادب المفرد / كتاب / 89
Hadith Gradingالألبانی:صحيح
Hadith Takhrij«صحيح : أخرجه الحاكم فى المستدرك : 177/4 و أبونعيم فى الحلية : 230/2 و البزار فى مسنده : 6762 - الصحيحة : 3143»
Explanation & Benefits
Shaykh Maulana Usman Muneeb
Benefits and Issues: ➊ This hadith shows that it is permissible to ask (for help) in times of severe necessity. However, it is better to avoid asking as much as possible, and one should not consider even a small act of charity insignificant.
➋ In Sahih al-Bukhari (5995), it is explicitly mentioned that this woman had two daughters with her. This woman gave preference to her daughters over herself and even divided the date she had kept for herself among them. Allah Ta’ala liked this woman’s compassion for her daughters so much that, due to this act, He showed her mercy, made her deserving of Paradise, and freed her from the Fire.
➌ Showing mercy and compassion to Allah’s servants, especially one’s children and close relatives, is a means of attaining Allah’s mercy. Since this woman showed mercy to her daughters, Allah Ta’ala showed mercy to her. The Prophetic hadith is: ((الرَّاحِمُوْنَیَرْحَمُهُمُالرَّحْمٰنُتَبَارَكَوَتَعَالٰی،اِرْحَمُوْامَنْفِيالْأرْضِیَرْحَمْکُمْمَنْفِيالسَّمَاءِ)) (al-Sahihah of al-Albani, Hadith: 925) “The Most Merciful, Blessed and Exalted, shows mercy to those who are merciful (to others). Show mercy to those on the earth, and the One above the Throne will show mercy to you.”
➍ Lady Aisha (radi Allahu anha) mentioned her act of charity to the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), from which it is understood that if the intention is not pride or to boast, one may mention one’s good deeds and charity to someone. Also, the generosity of Lady Aisha (radi Allahu anha) is evident, as she had only three dates but still gave preference to the woman in need over herself.
➎ This narration gives a glimpse of the difficulties parents endure in raising their children—that even while remaining hungry themselves, they take care of their children’s needs. But unfortunately, when the children grow up and the parents become old, the children fulfill their own needs but do not care for their parents in the least. They neither treat them with good manners nor become their support. The repeated emphasis on good treatment in the Noble Qur’an is due to these very favors of the parents, and the special mention of good treatment towards the mother is because of her particular compassion and the hardships she endures for her children.
Source: Fadlullah al-Ahad: Urdu Commentary on al-Adab al-Mufrad, Page: 89