Riyad as-Salihin — Hadith #46667

On the authority of Abu Hurairah, may God be pleased with him, that the Messenger of God, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, said: “A man said: ‘Should I give charity?’ So he went out with his charity and placed it in the hand of a thief. They started talking: Give charity to a thief! On an adulteress, do you not give charity? So he went out with his charity and put it in my pocket The hand of a rich man, so they started talking! Tonight, alms was given to a rich man, and he said: O God, praise be to You for a thief, for an adulterer, and for a rich man! Then he came and was told: As for your charity for a thief, perhaps he will refrain from stealing, and as for the adulteress, perhaps she will refrain from her adultery, and as for the rich man, perhaps he will consider it and spend from what God has given him.” ((Narrated by Al-Bukhari in its wording, and Muslim in its meaning)).