AbūHurairah and Hakim ibn Hizam (may Allah be pleased with them) report that the Holy Messenger (may Allah bless and greet him) said, “The best charity is that which leaves a man contented and you should make a beginning from those whose care is your responsibility.”
(Bukhari, Muslim)
Charity is a benevolent act, most liked by Allah the Exalted. The charity which is given out at a time when one is healthy and has his own problems to attend to, has great value.
Here, the Messenger of Allah ﷺprovides the believers with a measure to make the charity best. Having contentment while giving out one’s wealth in charity means that there should be no second thought after spending something in charity. Also, while giving out something in charity one should be careful that he is not making himself destitute and thus in need of charity from others. Or that he should be so firm that his poverty does not strain his heart.
AbūBakr Siddique brought all his wealth to the Messenger ﷺthat nothing but God and His Messenger remained at his home. But he remained quite contented. Yet everyone is not Abū Bakr, and Islam demands only that which he can cheerfully part with leaving himself solvent, and in any case there should be no strain on the heart otherwise the charity will lose all its merit. Another point is that only after meeting the needs of his dependents, charity is extended to others. It always begins from home.