The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) clarified some forms of spending and put them in order according to the most obligatory ones in case numerous channels of spending crowd together, starting with the most important and then the next in importance. He stated that the money that brings one the highest reward for spending is the money that a Muslim spends on his dependents, like his wife and children, followed by spending on the mount that is prepared for war in the cause of Allah, then spending on one's friends and companions if they are fighters in the cause of Allah.
- Arranging the channels of spending in order according to their merit in the way mentioned, and this order should be observed in case of numerous options.
- Demonstrating that providing for one's dependents takes priority in terms of merit over other forms of spending.
- Spending on Jihad in the cause of Allah, like preparing equipment and men for Jihad, is from the greatest channels of spending.
- It was said: "In the cause of Allah" refers to every act of obedience, like Hajj, for instance.
صحيح مسلم (2/ 691) (994). كنوز رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (5/ 315). شرح رياض الصالحين، لابن عثيمين (3/ 156). نزهة المتقين شرح رياض الصالحين، لمجموعة من الباحثين (1/ 291). بهجة الناظرين شرح رياض الصالحين، لسليم الهلالي (1/ 374).