Appointment of Supervising Sadaqat

There is a tradition in the hadith from Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal in which it states that Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) bin Ubadah relates that the Holy Prophet (sa) appointed him to supervise the funds of Sadaqat [charities] belonging to a particular tribe. The Holy Prophet (sa) advised him to always fear Allah the Almighty lest on the Day of Judgement, he appeared in a state laden with a camel which was bleating. Hazrat Sa‘d (ra) replied, “O Prophet (sa) of Allah, then entrust this responsibility to someone else” and so, the Holy Prophet (sa) did not assign this duty to him.

(Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 7, p. 473, Musnad Sa‘d bin Ubadah, Hadith 22828, Alamul Kutub, Beirut, 1998)

Thus, one who is entrusted with the supervision of something has to ensure that they grant the due rights to everyone, establish justice and not display even a hint of dishonesty. Failing to do this is a grave sin and one will be held accountable on the Day of Judgement.