Khabab Abu Aqi (ra) and His Sa’ of Dates for the Prophetﷺ

The Prophetﷺ encouraged contributions for the expedition of Tabuk. Uthman ibn Affan (ra) came forward several times and gave much (from hundreds of camels with their saddles to a thousand dinars). Khabab Abu Aqil (ra) was an Ansari Companion who wasn’t wealthy but loved the Prophetﷺ  dearly. He worked throughout the night labouring hard watering trees earning for himself a measure of dates. He gave half to his family who had nothing else to eat in the house and the other half he took to the Prophetﷺ. Khabab’s (ra) contribution was so little compared to others who had given much more that he felt acutely embarrassed.

In the courtyard of the Prophet’sﷺ Mosque sat a pile of dates and the hypocrites watched, winking at each other mockingly at Khabab’s (ra) meagre offering. But when The Prophetﷺ saw his Companion heﷺ was happy that Khabab (ra) had given what he could, upon which heﷺ increased the quantity of Khabab’s contribution by ordering his Companions, saying: “Scatter the dates of Abu Aqil over the entire pile,” which they did accordingly [Bukhari].

This life is not a competition for amassing wealth that leaves the poor disadvantaged. Rather it is a competition to purify hearts and to rush forward to do good deeds for Allah’s pleasure. So the poor can match or even outdo the wealthiest in this competition. 

Khabab (ra) worked hard to be able to contribute his own share when another might have all too easily assumed that they had too little to give to make a difference. Yet the difference in our wealth or our even abilities are all relative when hearts are big and intentions sincere; so that to give from what little we have renders us no different to the wealthiest of people’s offerings, in Allah’s(swt) eyes. 

Our rizq is fixed by Allah, but it’s how we strive for it and use it that matters. Through this incident the Prophetﷺ taught that in Islam having true, sincere intentions is what is ultimately measured and counts. Thus, despite Khabab’s (ra) small contribution, his good intention was no less rewarded or important than those who gave greater contributions. 🌙

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