The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم used to pray, "O Allah, keep me in the company of the poor. Let me die in poverty, raise me with the poor on the Day of Judgment."
'A'isha رضي الله عنه once asked the Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم, "O Messenger of Allah, why do you ask Allah to keep you in the company of the poor, let you die in poverty and raise you with the poor on the Day of Judgment?"
The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه و سلم replied, "The poor will enter Paradise before the rich."
Then he paused for a short while. He then advised 'A'isha رضي الله عنه, "O 'A'isha never turn a needy person away from your door. Give him something, though it be only a piece of a date. O 'A'isha, respect the poor and love them in spite of their poverty. If you bring the poor and needy closer to you, Allah will bring you closer to Himself."
[Source: Fadl al-Fuqara in al Mishkat]
