Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah

Sayyiduna Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Every day on which the sun rises, it is obligatory for every soul to give charity.” I said: O Messenger of Allah! How can I give charity when I have no wealth? He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “(Charity is not only spending wealth, rather) these are also forms of charity: saying «الله أكبر», saying «سبحان الله», saying «اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ», saying «لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّـهُ», saying «استغفر الله», enjoining good, forbidding evil, removing a thorn, stone, or bone from people’s pathways, guiding a blind person, enabling the deaf and mute to understand, guiding a needy person who seeks direction, rushing to help a distressed person who calls for help, and giving full support to a weak person. These are forms of charity, through which you can give charity on your own behalf. And there is also reward in having intercourse with your wife.” Sayyiduna Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: Is there reward in fulfilling sexual desire? He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Tell me, if you had a son, he grew up and you hoped for good from him, but he died, would you be patient over his death expecting reward?” I said: Yes. He (peace and blessings be upon him) asked: “Did you create him?” I said: No, Allah created him. He (peace and blessings be upon him) asked: “Did you guide him?” I said: No, Allah guided him. He (peace and blessings be upon him) asked: “Did you provide for him?” I said: No, Allah provided for him. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “In the same way, use your (private part) for what is lawful and avoid what is unlawful. If Allah wills, He will keep him alive, and if He wills, He will cause him to die, and you will receive reward.”