Hadith 41

Al-Adab Al-Mufrad

Book 9: Being a master

Chapter 99

A man's maintenance of his slave and servant is

بَابُ نَفَقَةُ الرَّجُلِ عَلَى عَبْدِهِ وَخَادِمِهِ صَدَقَةٌ

Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 196
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، قَالَ‏:‏ حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ عَاصِمِ بْنِ بَهْدَلَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالَ‏:‏ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ خَيْرُ الصَّدَقَةِ مَا بَقَّى غِنًى، وَالْيَدُ الْعُلْيَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْيَدِ السُّفْلَى، وَابْدَأْ بِمَنْ تَعُولُ، تَقُولُ امْرَأَتُكَ‏:‏ أَنْفِقْ عَلَيَّ أَوْ طَلِّقْنِي، وَيَقُولُ مَمْلُوكُكَ‏:‏ أَنْفِقْ عَلَيَّ أَوْ بِعْنِي، وَيَقُولُ وَلَدُكَ‏:‏ إِلَى مَنْ تَكِلُنَا‏.‏
Abu Hurayra reported that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "The best sadaqa is that which leaves you free of want. The upper hand is better than the lower hand. Begin with those you look after. Your wife says, 'Spend on me or divorce me.' Your slave says, 'Spend on me or sell me.' Your child asks, 'On whom can we rely?'"