Charity or Snake

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “The wealthy man who has not paid the rights of others from his wealth, will have his treasure become a snake on Doomsday, which will chase him with open mouth. Then a voice will be heard, ‘Catch hold of your wealth which you had concealed, and I am unconcerned with this.’ When he will see that there is no escape, he will put his hand in its mouth, and it will bite him as a bull eats grass.” [Bukhaari]

Wealth, from which the rights of poor and needy people are not met, becomes the cause of its owner’s punishment and disgrace. A person may lie in this world and say that he doesn’t have any money with which to help others, but such concealed wealth is like a snake hiding in its hole waiting to bite him. This wealth will be turned into a living snake on the Day of Judgement and it will chase to attack and bite its owner.

The next time Shaytaan or your Nafs try to prevent you from giving to those who have rights upon your wealth, ask yourself what’s preferable: Putting your hand in your pocket now, or having it bitten off by a snake later as a bull bites grass?