excerpts from fazail e sadqat
Allah says in Quran.....
(People) ask you what they should spend (as Sadaqah). "Tell (them) what they can spare". (i.e.) what is in excess of their requirements). (al-baqarah: 219)
What does this mean....
Wealth is meant to be spent; whatever is left over, after meeting personal requirements, should be spent as Sadaqah. Ibne Abbas Radhiallaho anho has said that, after meeting the requirements of one’s family the balance becomes ‘Afv’ which means that it is to be spent as Sadaqah. Abu Umamah Radhiallaho anho has reported
Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam as saying, "O men, give what you can spare for charity, this is good for you; if you hold it back, it will be bad for you. You are not to blame for keeping back just enough for your own requirements; begin by spending on those who are dependant on you. The upper hand (which gives) is better than the lower hand (which is stretched out for accepting alms)".
Ataa Rahmathullah alaihe is quoted as having said that ‘Afv’ means wealth in excess of actual needs. (Durre Manthur). Abu Sae’ed Khudri Radhiallaho anho has said that once Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam said that when a person has an extra conveyance he should give it to someone who has none, and whoever has provision in excess should give the excess to those who do not have any. Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam said this so emphatically that we thought no one would have any right over his own property in excess of his actual needs. (Abu Dawood).
In fact the highest virtue lies only in giving away everything that is over and above one’s legitimate requirements; nothing is to be hoarded. Certain Ulama have said that ‘Afv’ means "What is convenient"; one should spend as Sadaqah what can be spared with convenience and ease, so that no hardship or distress is caused to oneself afterwards. Also that no dependant should be deprived of his or her legitimate rights (which is a responsibility of the spender), due to which the latter may get into trouble on the Day of Judgement.
It is narrated that Ibne Abbas Radhiallaho anho said, "Some people used to give so much Sadaqah that nothing would be left with themselves, even for eating, and they would be compelled to look for Sadaqah from others. It was for this reason that the above Ayat was revealed".
Abu Sae’ed Khudri Radhiallaho anho has said that Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam, seeing the very poor condition of a person just arrived in the Masjid, asked the people to give him clothes as Sadaqah.
Plenty of these were contributed , Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam gave two garments out of these to the poor man. Later, once again Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam persuaded people to donate as Sadaqah. That poor man also gave one garment out of the two, whereupon Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam showed his displeasure and returned the piece to him. (Durre Manthur).
The Glorious Qur’an does invite us to give in charity, in spite of our own requirements, but this is for such people who can do it cheerfully, because the importance of ‘Akhirah’ prevails over worldly requirements in their minds.
http://www.islamicbulletin.org/free_downloads/resources/fazail_sadaqat.pdf