Lu'lu' wal-Marjan

Hazrat Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) came to visit me during the year of the Farewell Pilgrimage (10 AH) when I was seriously ill. I said, “My illness has become severe, I have a lot of wealth and possessions, and I have only one daughter who will inherit from me. Should I give away two-thirds of my wealth in charity?” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “No.” I said, “Half?” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “No.” Then the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Give away one-third, and even one-third is much, or a lot. If you leave your heirs wealthy after you, that is better than leaving them poor, begging from people. Remember, whatever you spend seeking Allah’s pleasure, you will be rewarded for it, even the morsel you put in your wife’s mouth.” Then I asked, “O Messenger of Allah! My companions are leaving me behind and going (for the Farewell Pilgrimage) to Makkah, and I am staying behind.” Upon this, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “If you remain here and do any good deed, your ranks will be raised because of it, and perhaps you will live on, and many people (Muslims) will benefit from you, and many (disbelievers and apostates) will be harmed by you.” (Then the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prayed:) “O Allah! Grant my companions steadfastness in migration and do not turn their feet back.” But the one afflicted with calamity was Sa’d bin Khawlah, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) expressed sorrow over his death in Makkah.