Is it more virtuous to continue giving monthly charity from the money saved for marriage, or to keep this money for marriage and avoid burdening one's family?
Charity is among the best deeds, but a person must start with themselves, then with those they are responsible for, based on the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "Begin with yourself and give charity to it. If anything remains, then for your family. If anything remains from your family, then for your relatives. If anything remains from your relatives, then so and so." And his saying: "The best charity – or the best of charity – is that given when one is wealthy. The upper hand is better than the lower hand. And begin with those whom you support."
If it is possible to combine charity with saving money for a need, that is preferable. Otherwise, saving money for a need is more appropriate, especially if your brother will give charity on your behalf. However, if you find strength in reliance [on Allah] and certainty, such that you would not regret giving charity, then give charity and rely on Allah. Scholars have reconciled "the best charity is that given when one is wealthy" and "the effort of one who has little" by explaining that the virtue varies depending on individuals, the strength of reliance, and the weakness of certainty.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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