Hadith 5153

Ibn 'Abbas spoke about the ayat, "Give your relatives theirdue, and the very poor and travellers" (17:
26), and said, "Hebegins by commanding the most pressing of the obligatory dues and He directsus to the best action if we have any money. He says: 'Give your relativestheir due, and the very poor and travellers.' He also teaches us what wecan say if we have nothing. He says, 'But if you do turn away from them,seeking the mercy you hope for from your Lord, then speak to them with wordsthat bring them ease' (17:28) in the form of an excellent promise. Thingsare as they are, but they might change if Allah wills. 'Do not keep yourhand chained to your neck' and not give anything, 'but do not extendit either to its full extent' and give all you have, 'so that yousit there blamed' as those who come to you later and find you have nothingwill blame you, 'and destitute.' (17:29)" He said, "The person towhom you have given everything has made you destitute."