Abu Huraira said that when God’s messenger was brought food he asked whether it was a present or sadaqa, and if he was informed that it was sadaqa he told his companions to eat, but did not eat himself; if however he was informed that it was a present he put in his hand and ate along with them.
‘Abd al-Muttalib b. Rabi'a reported God’s messenger as saying,
“These sadaqat are only people’s impurities,* and they are not lawful for Muhammad or Muhammad’s family.”
‘A’isha said that three sunnas concerned Barira.* One was that she became free and was given her choice regarding her husband. God’s messenger said,
"The right of inheritance from an emancipated slave belongs to the one who set him free.”*
God’s messenger once came in when the pot was boiling with meat in it, and he was presented with some of the bread and condiments which were in the house.
He asked, “Did I not see a pot containing meat?” and was told, “Yes, but that is meat which was given as sadaqa to Barira and you do not eat the sadaqa.”
He replied, “It is sadaqa for her and a gift to us.” ***
(Bukhari and Muslim.)
* A slave-woman whom 'A’isha bought and set free.
** The context shows that these words are said to have been spoken in connection with Barira.
*** This is the part of the tradition which makes it relevant in this chapter, as it declares that one who may not lawfully receive sadaqa may accept as a gift sadaqa which has been received by one who may lawfully receive it.
Abu Huraira told that al-Hasan b. 'All took one of the dates of the sadaqa and put it in his mouth, whereupon the Prophet said, “Leave it alone, leave it alone,” in order that he might throw it away. He then said,
“Do you not know that we* do not eat the sadaqa?’
(Bukhari and Muslim.)
* The pronoun includes the Prophet and his family, al Hasan being his grandson. The idea is more definitely expressed in 'Abd al-Muttalib's tradition.
