Bukhari

Hadith Commentary:
May he attain salvation from Hell.

Hadith Commentary:
(1)
In the Arabic language, turning away from something with caution, as one who finds it distasteful, is called "ishah." The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), upon seeing Hellfire, also expressed his aversion to it and not only exhorted us to safeguard ourselves from it, but also provided a means: that one can protect oneself from it by giving charity (sadaqah). If someone is unable to give charity, then by speaking a good word, he can distance it from himself.

(2)
Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) writes: Just as spending wealth brings happiness to the heart of a poor person and a wave of joy and delight runs through his heart, similarly, by speaking a good word, the listener becomes pleased and the envy and malice in his heart are removed. On this basis, every good word has been described as charity (sadaqah).
(Fath al-Bari: 10/551)

Hadith Commentary:
Both of these ahadith demonstrate the virtue of charity, and also show that in the early period, the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum), even when they themselves were in a state of great hardship, still had such a passion for giving charity that they would work as laborers, become porters in the market, work among the farm laborers, and then, from whatever they earned, they would assist the poor and needy Muslims.

This spirit among the people of Islam is clear evidence that Islam has instilled in its followers a deep sense of compassion and kindness for humanity.

In the noble Qur’an, the verse: ﴿لَن تَنَالُو البِرَّ حَتّٰی تُنفِقُوا مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ﴾ (Aal Imran: 92)
Allah the Exalted has encouraged that in charity and almsgiving, one should not give inferior things, but rather give from the things most beloved to oneself.

In contrast, the miser has been condemned to the utmost degree, and it has been stated that the miser will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise.

These were the very Companions (radi Allahu anhum) whose condition you have heard, and then, through the blessing of Islam, Allah increased them so much that they became owners of hundreds of thousands.

The hadith “even if it is half a date” (walaw bi-shiqqi tamrah) has been narrated in different wordings and through various chains.

In Tabarani, it is stated: “Make a barrier between yourselves and the Fire, even if it is with half a date.”

And create a barrier between yourselves and Hell by giving charity, even if that charity is only with a piece of a date.

Similarly, in Musnad Ahmad, it is narrated: “Let one of you protect his face from the Fire, even if it is with half a date.”

That is, you should protect your face from the Fire, and the only means for this is charity, even if it is only half a date.

And in the same Musnad Ahmad, in the hadith from Aisha (radi Allahu anha), it is narrated that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) himself addressed Aisha (radi Allahu anha):

“O Aisha! Shield yourself from the Fire, even if it is with half a date.”

The hadith, meaning: O Aisha! Make a barrier from Hell, even if it is with just a piece of a date.

In conclusion, Allamah Hafiz Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) says:

“And in the hadith is encouragement for giving charity, whether little or much, and that one should not belittle what one gives in charity, and that even a small amount of charity can shield the giver from the Fire.”
(Fath al-Bari)

That is, the hadith encourages that charity should be given, whether it is little or much, and one should not consider a small amount of charity insignificant, for even the smallest charity can become a barrier from Hell for the giver.

Hadith Commentary:
This hadith has already been mentioned previously, that a person should be concerned about saving himself from the Fire, even if it is by giving a small charity.
If nothing is available to give in charity, then one should respond gently by saying, "At this time I am unable, please excuse me."
One should not rebuke the beggar, because this is prohibited in the Noble Qur'an; rather, the poor and those who ask should be answered gently.
( Bani Isra'il 17:28)

Hadith Commentary:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
Ashaha:
He turned his face away.

Benefits and Issues:
The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam mentioned Hell in such a manner as if he was seeing it, and then, through his demeanor and state, he made others aware of its fear and danger. He also explained the way and method to be saved from it: that a person should not consider charity and almsgiving, no matter how small, to be insignificant or trivial. One should make a habit of it as much as possible, and if not, then at the very least, one should speak to others with grace and in a good manner. Good and pure speech also saves from punishment. From this hadith, it is also understood that deeds have an existence, for this reason a person will see them to his right, left, and in front of him.

Hadith Footnote:
Vocabulary of the Hadith:
Shaqq:
A bite,
A piece,
A portion or half a portion.

(1) That is, protection from Hell and entry into Paradise are not exclusive to the wealthy. Poor people too, with good intentions, can attain the rank of generosity by spending even a small thing. If, hypothetically, someone possesses nothing at all, even then he still has the blessing of the tongue granted by Allah. With that too, this objective can be achieved. Utter good words, do not speak ill of anyone, enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong, meet others with a smile, speak pure words, keep the tongue closed from evil—salvation and success will be attained, insha Allah.

(2) The narrator of the hadith, Hazrat Adi radi Allahu anhu, was the son of Hatim Tai, a famous and generous person of the Arabs.

This is a hypothetical statement, meaning: give charity from whatever is available. The poor should give from their small amount of wealth, and the rich from their greater wealth. Also, a small good deed should not be considered insignificant. It is possible that this very deed, due to sincerity, may become a means of salvation and success.