Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports, “On one occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) instructed that a goat be slaughtered and it (i.e. its meat) be distributed among the neighbours. I thus slaughtered a goat and distributed it between the neighbours. (However,) I took the forearm to (the home of) Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and the portion of the goat which he liked the most was the forearm.  

“When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came (to his home), Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) said, ‘Nothing (i.e. no portion of the goat) has remained with us except for the forearm.’ Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “(No, rather) the entire goat has remained, except for the forearm (i.e. the reward of the entire goat remains for us by Allah Ta‘ala, except for the forearm, as the forearm was not given in sadaqah).” (Musnad Bazzaar – Majma‘uz Zawaaid #4661 and Sunan Tirmizi #2470)

In this hadeeth, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) taught the Ummah that the material bounties of this world are not permanent and will not remain. We will either use them until they are finished, or we will pass away, after which we will lose them. However, in contrast to this are the rewards that lie in store for us in the Hereafter. When a person comes before Allah Ta‘ala on the Day of Qiyaamah, then it is these everlasting rewards that will benefit him and assist him. Thus, when giving anything in sadaqah, we should not feel that we have lost the item or wealth, but should realize that we have actually secured it in the account of the Aakhirah.

The contrast between the material of this world, which is transient and temporary, and the bounties and rewards of the Hereafter, which are everlasting and permanent, is also mentioned in the Quraan Majeed. Allah Ta‘ala says, “Whatever is with you (from the material of this world) will perish, and what is with Allah (i.e. the rewards and bounties in store for us in the Hereafter) will last.” (Surah Nahl v96)

Hence, instead of man hankering after this material world which is temporary and transient, the greater effort and concern of man should be to acquire the bounties and rewards of the Hereafter.

From this hadeeth, we also see the extent to which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) extended kindness to his neighbours. Since the rights of neighbours are greatly emphasized in Islam, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) showed such consideration and kindness to his neighbours that he slaughtered a goat specifically for distributing among the neighbours.

It should be borne in mind that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) did not often acquire meat to consume and enjoy. However, on the occasion when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) acquired meat, then the portion of the goat that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) liked the most was the forearm (the portion from the elbow until the hoof i.e. the shank).

The commentators of hadeeth mention that among the reasons why Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) preferred the forearm is that it cooks quickly, digests quickly and he found it enjoyable and tasty. (Jam‘ul Wasaa-il vol. 2 pg. 182 and 192)

May Allah Ta‘ala bless us all to have concern for our Aakhirah and to uphold the rights of our neighbours, aameen.