Shama-il Tirmidhi Chapter 47, Hadith Number 13 (338).
Commentary
Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam also commanded Sayyidina Bilaal Radiyallahu ‘Anhu to do this. Sayyidina Abu Hurayrah Radiyallahu. ‘Anhu says Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wasallam once saw a heap of dates by Sayyidina Bilaal Radiyallahu ‘Anhu. Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu’Alayhi Wasallam asked what is this. He replied: ‘I have kept it for my future needs’. Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said: ‘Do you not fear that because of this, tomorrow on the day of qiyaamah, the smoke of jahannam will reach you’. After this he also said. ‘Spend O Bilaal, and do not fear the Lord of the ‘Arsh, that it will become less’. Who has the strength to cover all the incidents of the generosity of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam. For his generosity it was not necessary that he possessed something. It was the general practice of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam to take a loan and spend on the needy, as is mentioned in the hadith under discussion. Sayyidina Bilaal Radiyallahu ‘Anhu was once asked: ‘What was the method of the expenditure of Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam?’. He replied: ‘Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam did not keep anything. Till the end I was responsible for handling it. It was his noble habit that when a person accepted Islaam and came to him and if he saw this person unclothed, he commanded me to clothe that person. I would obtain a loan from somewhere and purchase clothing and food for that person. Once a person from the mushrikeen (polytheists) came to me, and began saying that I have a lot of wealth, whatever loan you may need take it from me, and it is not necessary to take a loan from anyone else. I began to obtain loans from him. One day I performed wudu and as I was preparing to call out the adhaan, I saw that mushrik (polytheist) coming with a few merchants. Upon seeing me he began to say ‘O Habshi’ I replied: ‘I am present.’. He began to swear at me in a cynical manner, and asked: ‘How many days are left till the end of this month?’ I replied: ‘The month is nearly ending’. He said: ‘Four days are left. If you do not pay your loans by that time. I will make you a slave in lieu of my debt. The way you were grazing sheep before in slavery, your position will become the same’. Sayyidina Bilaal Radiyallahu ‘Anhu says: ‘Whatever becomes of a person as a result of such threats, the same overtook me.
After ‘eshaa I came in the presence of Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam and narrated the whole incident to him, then I said: ‘There is no way to pay this debt so quickly, nor do you have anything nor do I have anything I will hide away. When you pay the debt I will come out, otherwise, that mushrik will disgrace me very much’. Before the morning prayers a person came running to me and said that Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam is calling you. When I presented myself, Rasulullah Sallallahu’Alayhi Wasallam said: ‘Allah Ta’aala has made a means to pay your debt. These four camels are standing, and are laden with gifts sent by the ruler of Fadak. I paid the full debt that morning, and informed Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam that Allah Ta’aala has freed you from debts. Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam asked: ‘Is there anything left from the gifts or not?’. I replied: ‘A little is left’. Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam said: ‘Distribute it, so that I may be at ease’. The evening fell and yet there was some left. After ‘eshaa Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam inquired again, upon which I replied: ‘The needy ones did not arrive, there is still some left’. Thereupon Rasulullah Sallallahu’Alayhi Wasallarn spent the night in the masjid and did not go home. The next day after ‘eshaa he inquired again, whereupon I replied: ‘Allah Ta’aala has freed you from its responsibilities. Everything has been distributed’. Rasulullah Sallallahu’Alayhi Wasallam then thanked Allah, and went to his home. – Abu Dawud.