Ibn Abi Aqil (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated from his father, Sayyiduna Abu Aqil (may Allah be pleased with him), that he spent the whole night working, hauling with a rope, to earn two sa' of dates. He took one sa' of them to his family so that they could benefit from it, and set out with the other sa' to draw near to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. He brought it to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and told him, and the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to him: "Scatter it among the charity." At this, the hypocrites mocked him and said: What need did this man have to seek nearness to Allah with just one sa' of dates? So Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, revealed this verse: "Those who taunt the believers who give charity voluntarily, and those who find nothing (to give) except their effort" [Surah al-Tawbah: 79] to the end of the two verses.
Hadith Referenceالمعجم الكبير للطبراني / باب الحاء / 3585