Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
Imam Bukhari, by including these ahadith under the chapter he established, has demonstrated that it is necessary for every Muslim man to strive to become a person of means, and by paying the due right of Allah from his wealth (zakat), he should endeavor to remain in such a state that his hand is always the upper hand and never the lower one throughout his life—that is, he should remain a giver, not a taker, and not one who stretches out his hand before people.

The hadith also encourages that even in a state of need, one should not extend his hand before people; rather, by acting with patience and steadfastness, maintaining his trust in Allah and his self-respect, he should subsist through the labor of his own strength.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
In this hadith, the explanation of the upper and lower hand has also been mentioned. Some narrations indicate that this explanation is from the narrator of the hadith, Abdullah ibn Umar radi Allahu anhu, and on this basis, this explanation is considered interpolated (mudraj). However, the correct view is that this explanation is itself narrated from the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.

In Musnad Ahmad, there is a marfu‘ narration from Hakim ibn Hizam radi Allahu anhu that Allah’s hand is above the hand of the giver, and the hand of the giver is above the hand of the receiver, and the hand of the receiver is the lowest of all. (Musnad Ahmad: 402/3)

In another narration, it is stated that there are three types of hands: Allah’s hand is the highest, the hand of the giver is next to it, and the hand of the one who asks is the lowest of all. (Sunan Abi Dawud, Zakat, Hadith: 1649)

From all these narrations, it is understood that the upper hand is the one who spends (gives charity), and the lower hand is the one who receives charity. (Fath al-Bari: 375/3)

(2)
Imam Bukhari rahimahullah wants to convey that a Muslim should strive to be a person of means. He should pay the due zakat from his wealth and make an effort to keep his hand upper (i.e., be a giver), and throughout his life, he should not stretch out his hand before anyone, thereby embracing humiliation and disgrace. Even in need and necessity, he should not extend his hand before others; rather, he should maintain his self-respect with patience and steadfastness, and relying upon Allah, he should subsist on the labor of his own strength.

1648. Commentary: Considering the lower hand to be superior and more virtuous is a self-invented notion of some Sufis. According to them, the explanation is that since it is obligatory (wajib) for the wealthy person to give the due right (charity) from his wealth, and until he gives it and someone takes it, he is not absolved of this obligatory right. Since the one who takes it, by accepting his wealth, in a way does a favor and absolves him of his obligatory right, therefore, he (the receiver) is superior. However, according to Allamah Ibn Qayyim rahimahullah, this notion is invalid from all perspectives: nature, custom, and Shariah.

➊ The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) himself declared the giving hand to be superior. This is a clear proof of the invalidity of this opinion.

➋ He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) described it as better and more virtuous in comparison to the lower hand. And without doubt, giving is superior, not receiving.

➌ From the perspective of custom and meaning as well, the hand of the giver is considered superior to that of the beggar.

➍ Giving is a praiseworthy attribute, which is evidence of a person's wealth, generosity, and benevolence. In contrast, receiving is a characteristic of deficiency and fault, which is an expression of poverty and neediness. Therefore, the interpretation of those people that the receiving hand is superior is in no way reasonable.

Hadith Authentication (Takhrij al-Hadith):
[وأخرجه البخاري 1429، ومسلم 94/1033، من حديث مالك به]

Jurisprudential Understanding (Tafaqquh):
➊ Asking (begging) without a legitimate (shar‘i) excuse is prohibited.
➋ The person who helps a deserving (needy) individual is superior.
➌ It is permissible, rather preferable, to explain religious issues from the pulpit for the reformation of the people.
➍ Continuously giving charity in the way of Allah is a sign of the people of faith.
➎ Earning wealth and property through hard work so that it may be spent in the way of Allah, on oneself, on one’s family and relatives, and on friends is a highly commendable act.
➏ It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radi Allahu anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: «لايفتح الانسان عليٰ نفسه باب مسالته، الا فتح الله عليه باب فقر، يأخذ الرجل حبله فيعمد إلى الحبل فيحتطب عليٰ ظهره فيأكل به خير له من أن يسأل الناس معطيً أو ممنوعًا۔» Whoever opens the door of asking (begging) for himself, Allah opens the door of poverty for him. If a man takes his rope, climbs the mountain, gathers firewood on his back, and then eats from (the proceeds of selling) it, that is better for him than going around asking people—some will give him and some will refuse him. [مسند أحمد 2/418 ح9421 وسنده صحيح]