Hadith 2308

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that a man from the Ansar came to the Prophet (ﷺ) to ask him for help. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Do you not have anything in your house?” He said: “Yes, a piece of cloth that we wear and spread, and a bowl from which we drink water.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Bring them to me.” He brought them, and the Prophet (ﷺ) took them in his hand and said: “Who will buy these?” A man said: “I will take them for a dirham.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Who will offer more than a dirham?” He repeated this two or three times. Another man said: “I will take them for two dirhams.” The Prophet (ﷺ) gave them to him, took the two dirhams, and gave them to the Ansari. He said: “Buy food with one of them and give it to your family, and buy an axe with the other and bring it to me.” He brought it, and the Prophet (ﷺ) tied a handle to it with his hand and said: “Go, gather firewood and sell it. Do not let me see you for fifteen days.” The man went and gathered firewood and sold it. He returned having earned ten dirhams. He bought clothes with some and food with the rest. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “This is better for you than asking, which will leave a mark on your face on the Day of Resurrection. Asking is only permissible for three: one in severe poverty, one in overwhelming debt, or one with blood money to pay.” [Narrated by Abu Dawud] Ibn Majah narrated it up to the words: “On the Day of Resurrection.”