‘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.”
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.
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.
