It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that a man said: O Messenger of Allah! Which charity is the best? The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Your charity when you are healthy and greedy, hoping for life and fearing poverty, and do not delay so much that when the soul reaches the throat, you begin to say: Give this much to so-and-so, give that much to so-and-so, whereas at that time the wealth has already become the property of others.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: The best charity is that which is given after fulfilling one's own need, and when spending, begin with those whose maintenance is your responsibility, and the upper hand is better than the lower hand. Mu'ammar says: I asked Ayyub, what is the meaning of "an zahr ghina"? He said: That which is more than your need and sufficiency.

(Second chain) It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: The best charity is that which is given after fulfilling one's own need, and the upper hand is better than the lower hand. Start spending on those who are under your care. Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked: Who are the people under one's care? He said: Your wife, who says, "Feed me and provide for me, otherwise divorce me"; your servant, who says, "Feed me first, then take work from me"; and your daughter, who says, "If you do not fulfill my needs yourself, then to whom will you hand me over?"

Sayyiduna Hakim bin Hizam (may Allah be pleased with him) has also narrated a similar hadith from the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family).

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, who says: I asked, "O Messenger of Allah! Which charity is the most virtuous?" The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The charity given by a person of little means through his own hard work is the best, and begin (spending) with those whose maintenance is your responsibility."