Compiled by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha (Hafizahullah)
ما يخرج رجل شيئا من الصدقة حتى يفك عنها لحيي سبعين شيطانا
"A man does not give any charity except that he wrests it from seventy jaws of Shaytan."
(Musnad Ahmad 5/350, Hadith No. 23021; Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 2/248; Al-Mu‘jam al-Awsat 1/90; Al-Mustadrak lil-Hakim 1/577, Hadith No. 1521; Shu‘ab al-Iman 3/257, Hadith No. 3474)
Imam Al-Albani (رحمه الله) authenticated this Hadith in Silsilat al-Sahihah (3/264).
This Hadith is a powerful reminder to be consistent in giving charity and resisting the whispers of Shaytan.
Answer:
Yes, there is a connection between charity (صدقه) and Shaytan, as indicated in the Hadith.Evidence from Hadith:
Sayyiduna Buraidah Aslami (رضي الله عنه) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:ما يخرج رجل شيئا من الصدقة حتى يفك عنها لحيي سبعين شيطانا
"A man does not give any charity except that he wrests it from seventy jaws of Shaytan."
(Musnad Ahmad 5/350, Hadith No. 23021; Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 2/248; Al-Mu‘jam al-Awsat 1/90; Al-Mustadrak lil-Hakim 1/577, Hadith No. 1521; Shu‘ab al-Iman 3/257, Hadith No. 3474)
Imam Al-Albani (رحمه الله) authenticated this Hadith in Silsilat al-Sahihah (3/264).
Explanation:
- Shaytan's Efforts to Prevent Charity:
- Shaytan exerts immense effort to prevent a person from giving charity by invoking fear of poverty and greed.
- The Hadith illustrates that it takes effort to overcome this influence, symbolized by the imagery of "freeing charity from seventy jaws of Shaytan."
- Why Does Shaytan Oppose Charity?
- Shaytan's objective is to make believers stingy, withholding wealth that could benefit others and earn them Allah’s pleasure.
- Charity disrupts Shaytan’s plans by diminishing selfishness and increasing good deeds that draw a person closer to Paradise.
Conclusion:
The struggle to give charity is real because Shaytan actively tries to block it. However, overcoming this resistance and giving for Allah’s pleasure brings immense rewards. When a believer donates despite this struggle, they not only gain Allah’s favor but also defeat Shaytan’s intentions.This Hadith is a powerful reminder to be consistent in giving charity and resisting the whispers of Shaytan.