Sulaiman b. ‘Amir reported God’s messenger as saying,
“Sadaqa given to a poor man is just sadaqa, but when given to a relative it serves a double purpose, being both sadaqa and a connecting link.”
Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i, Ibn Majah and Darimi transmitted it.
Abu Huraira asked God’s messenger what kind of sadaqa was most excellent and he replied,
“What a man with little property can afford to give; and begin with those for whom you are responsible.”
Abu Huraira said that when a man came to the Prophet saying that he had a dinar, he told him to spend it on himself.
He said that he had another, and he told him to spend it on his children.
He said that he had another, and he told him to spend it on his wife.
He said that he had another, and he told him to spend it on his servant.
He said he had another and he replied, “You know best ."