Question

Is the following report reliable?

Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“The example of a miser and the one who spends is the example of two men chain-mail from their chest to their collar bones. When the spender spends, his shirt expands over his body until it covers his fingertips and [becomes so long that it] obliterates his footsteps. As for the miser, when he wants to spend anything, every link remains in its place. He tries to loosen it but it will not get loose”

Answer

Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim (rahimahumallah) have recorded this narration on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu). The narration is therefore authentic.

(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 1444 and Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1021)

‘Allamah Khattabi (rahimahullah) explains, a person who spends is like one who dons a loose chain mail. It covers his entire body and serves its purpose of protecting him from the enemy. Similarly when a generous person wants to spend, and wants to give charity, he happily does so and spends graciously.

On the contrary, when a miser wants to spend, his chest contracts, his hands close and he does not find it in him to spend.

(Fathul Bari, under Hadith: 1444)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar

Checked by: Mawlana Haroon Abasoomar