Giving Alms To Family Members

عَنْ الزُّهْرِيِّ قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي سَعِيدُ بْنُ الْمُسَيَّبِ أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ أَبَا هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَنْ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ خَيْرُ الصَّدَقَةِ مَا كَانَ عَنْ ظَهْرِ غِنًى وَابْدَأْ بِمَنْ تَعُولُ 

From Az Zuhriy said, it was reported to me by Sa'id bin Al Musayyab that he heard Abu Hurairah RA from the Prophet SAW saying, "The best charity is that which is beyond need (which is enough for one's needs). So start giving to  your dependents".

(HR Bukhari No: 1337)

Status: Sahih Hadith 

Learnings:

1. Giving charity or giving to others is a noble practice that is required of every Muslim. 

2. One of the things that bring happiness in a family is mutual responsibility. One of the responsibilities of the head of the family is to provide basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter.  Giving to family members is a charity. 

3. Giving charity or giving is best after fulfilling the rights and responsibilities of the family.  Allah SWT said: 

وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنْفِقُونَ قُلِ الْعَفْوَ 

“And they ask you what they should spend. Say: "The excess (beyond needs)."

(QS. Al Baqarah: 219). 

Al 'afwu in the verse above means that charity is beyond the basic needs 

(Ibn Katsir, 2: 145). 

4. Charity or giving to the family first is preferred because the reward is greater than charity (giving) to others. 

قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ صَدَقَتُكَ عَلَى الْمِسْكِينِ صَدَقَةٌ وَعَلَى ذِي الْقُرْبَى الرَّحِمِ ثِنْتَانِ صَدَقَةٌ وَصِلَةٌ 

The Prophet SAW said: "Your charity to the poor is worth one charity, while your charity to your relatives is worth two, namely; (1) charity and (2) connecting the ties."

(Musnad Ahmad No: 17197)

Isnad Hasan 

So start giving to family members first, including parents and close relatives, especially when we know that there are members of our family who are affected by their recent economic situation.