Lu'lu' wal-Marjan

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: A man (from among the Children of Israel) said, "Tonight I must give charity." So he went out with his charity and (unknowingly) placed it in the hand of a thief. In the morning, people began to say, "Last night, someone gave charity to a thief." The man said, "O Allah, all praise is for You alone." (The next night) he said, "Tonight I must give charity again." So he went out with his charity and this time gave it to a prostitute. In the morning, people again talked about it, saying, "Last night, someone gave charity to a prostitute." The man said, "O Allah, all praise is for You alone. I have given my charity to an adulteress. Well, tonight I will certainly give charity again." So, carrying his charity, he went out again and this time placed it in the hand of a rich man. In the morning, people were talking about it, saying, "Someone gave charity to a rich man." The man said, "O Allah, all praise is for You alone. Unknowingly, I have given my charity to a thief, a prostitute, and a rich man." (It was then) told to him (by Allah): "As for your charity reaching the thief, there is a possibility that he may refrain from stealing. Similarly, by the prostitute receiving charity, there is a possibility that she may refrain from adultery. And as for it reaching the rich man, the benefit is that he may take heed and then spend from what Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, has given him."