It was the habit of ‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) that whenever a beggar asked her for something and made du‘aa for her (as is the habit of many beggars), she would give the beggar whatever he had asked for, and she would also return the du‘aa of the beggar. Hence, someone asked her, “Why do you give the beggar what he asks for and also make du‘aa for him?”
‘Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) responded, “If I give the beggar wealth and he gives me du‘aa, then what he has given me is in reality more valuable than what I gave him. Hence, I will owe him for his favour. I therefore return his du‘aa with a similar du‘aa, so that I will not be indebted to him (for his du‘aa), and thereafter give him whatever he asks for. In this manner, I ensure that I receive the full reward of my sadaqah.”
(Al-Mafaateeh fi Sharhil Masaabeeh vol. 2, pg. 553)
Lessons:
1. The pious friends of Allah Ta‘ala understood the value of du‘aa. Hence, they did not regard any person’s du‘aa as trivial or insignificant, as one does not know whose du‘aa may gain acceptance in the court of Allah Ta‘ala.
2. Instead of viewing beggars as a nuisance, we should view them as a means of earning both du‘aas and the pleasure of Allah Ta‘ala. We should thank Allah Ta‘ala for sending the beggar to us, instead of us having to go out in search of a person to whom we could give sadaqah.