Nasai

(1) The heading that Imam al-Nasa’i rahimahullah has established at this point is intended to clarify the issue that the ruler has the right to prevent the needy and destitute from selling their property or giving it away in charity in the manner that the aforementioned Companion did. Furthermore, he also has the right to nullify the owners’ disposal of their property and to take charge of their property himself.

(2) This blessed hadith also indicates that the repayment of debt takes precedence over general charity and almsgiving, because general charity is a voluntary act of worship (nafl), whereas the repayment of debt is obligatory (fard). If a voluntary act of worship is not performed, at most one will be deprived of reward, but there will be no questioning. However, in the case of not repaying a debt, there will not only be accountability but also questioning. The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam refused to perform the funeral prayer for a person who was in debt and had nothing with which to repay it.

(3) To make someone a mudabbar means that he said to him, “You will be free after my death.” It is evident that if the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam had not sold the slave, he would have become free after the death of that Ansari. Therefore, the Prophet sold him. It is thus understood that charity is only valid after one’s own needs are fulfilled and debts, etc., are paid; otherwise, the charity will be rejected.