Musnad Ahmad

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: A man said, "Tonight I will give charity." So he went out with his charity and unknowingly gave it into the hands of an adulteress. In the morning, people began to talk that last night an adulteress received charity. The man said, "Tonight I will give charity again." So on the second night, he went out with his charity and placed it in the hands of a thief. In the morning, people began to talk that last night a thief received charity. The man said, "Tonight I will give charity again." So (on the third night) he went out with his charity and unknowingly gave it to a wealthy person. In the morning, people began to talk that last night a rich man received charity. The man said, "O Allah, I thank You that You made my charity reach an adulteress, a thief, and a wealthy person." (Through a voice) it was said to him: "Your charity has been accepted. The charity you gave to the thief may cause him to refrain from stealing, and the charity you gave to the adulteress may cause her to give up adultery. As for the wealthy person, perhaps he will take heed from it and spend from the wealth Allah has given him in the way of Allah."