Why such virtue?
You may be interested in knowing the reason behind this virtue. Read what the Prophet said: “Charity given to a poor person is charity, but charity given to a relative is two things, charity and upholding the ties of kinship.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The eminent scholar Al-Munaawi said, “It involves two rewards, unlike spending on strangers which has only one reward. The Hadeeth also includes an explicit indication that the action may combine the reward of two actions for it achieves their aims. So, its doer will receive all the rewards that are mentioned about them out of the pure generosity and kindness of Allah The Almighty.” [Faydh Al-Qadeer]
The most deserving of relatives (of one’s charity)
If you would like to know more about who are the most deserving of charity among your relatives, they are divided into two categories:
First: the orphan, because Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {But he has not broken through the difficult pass. And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass? It is the freeing of a slave. Or feeding on a day of severe hunger. An orphan of near relationship.} [Quran 90:11-15], meaning, an orphan who has a close relationship with you. Spending on orphan relatives takes precedence over spending on others if their need is equal because relatives are more deserving of your goodness. [Mustafa Al-‘Adawi; Silsilat At-Tafseer]
As-Sayyid Murtadha said, “This is encouragement for giving precedence to the needy among relatives over strangers.” [Mahaasin At-Ta’weel]
Second: the relative who harbors a grudge against you and dislikes you. The Prophet said: “The best charity is that given to a relative who does not like you.” [Ahmad; Al-Albaani: Saheeh]
The wisdom behind this is that it implies a way of forcing the soul to humble itself before its enemies. It is better in reward than that which is spent on a stranger for he (the relative) is the most deserving of good deeds. [Faydh Al-Qadeer]
Others who are like relatives:
1- Neighbors. Allah The Almighty has recommended observing kindness to them with His Exalted Saying: {The neighbor who is near of kin, and the neighbor who is a stranger.} [Quran 5:36]
2- Friends and companions for the sake of Allah The Almighty for the Messenger of Allah said: “The best dinars which a man can spend are a dinar which he spends on his children, a dinar which he spends on his riding beast for the sake of Allah, and a dinar which he spends on his companions for the sake of Allah The Almighty.” [At-Tayaalisi; Al-Albaani: Saheeh]
Doing good deeds towards your relatives is in no way limited to charity as some may believe. Rather, it includes various aspects of life. The best action one can do for his relatives is calling them (to Allah The Almighty), giving them sincere advice and teaching them beneficial knowledge of the worldly life and the Hereafter. This is because religious texts have enjoined preferring and giving them precedence over others.
In conclusion:
This is a good transaction with your Lord with which you can receive the reward twice as long as the buyer in this transaction is your Lord The Almighty. Be certain that it will be profitable for you. You may, moreover, recite the saying of Allah The Almighty (which means): {Indeed, those who recite the Book of Allah and establish prayer and spend [in His cause] out of what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, [can] expect a profit that will never perish - that He may give them in full their rewards and increase for them of His bounty. Indeed, He is Forgiving and Appreciative.} [Quran 35:29-30]
So, hasten to take part in it and spend in charity. Mujaahid said, “O Son of Adam! It is the most appropriate place in which you can put your efforts and earnings. Do not spend on so and so and leave your relatives and your kin.” [Ad-Durr Al-Manthoor]