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The Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, ordered that the poor be given, even if it is something small
The one asking has a right, as Allah Says (what means):
«And from their properties was [given] the right of the [needy] petitioner and the deprived.»
[Quran: 51:19]
Allah also Says (what means):
«And those within whose wealth is a known right, for the petitioner and the deprived.»
[Quran: 70: 24-25]
As-Si`di (a scholar) said
“‘And from their properties was [given] the right.’ both obligatory and recommended. ‘For the petitioner and the deprived,’ meaning, for those who are needy that also ask from people, as well as those who do not ask.”
That is why the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, urged that people give, even if it is something slight. `Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Bujayd (a scholar) narrated from his grandmother, Umm Bujayd )she was one of the women who gave allegiance to the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam,) that she said:
“O Messenger of Allah, a poor person comes to my door, but I do not find anything to give him.” So the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “If you only have a burnt hoof to give him, then give it to him in his hand.”
The reason that the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said
“[A] burnt hoof,” is to emphasize the importance of giving the needy anything possible, meaning, do not allow him to leave without anything, and give him anything possible, even if you find something belittled like a burnt hoof, give it to him
In a narration from `Amr ibn Mu`aath Al-Ansaari (a scholar) who said that a beggar came to their door, so his grandmother, Hawwaa’, said to him, “Feed him dates.” They said: “We do not have any.” She said: “Give him Saweeq (wheat and barley soup).” They said: “You are so strange; as if we can feed him what we do not possess.” She said:
“I heard Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, say: ‘To not turn the one asking back, even if the only thing you give him is a burnt hoof.’”
