Authored by: Shaykh Abdul Salam bin Muhammad (May Allah Protect Him)
Narration of Hadith:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir (رضی اللہ عنہ) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Every good deed is charity.” [Bukhari]
Reference:
Bukhari 6021; see also Tuhfat al-Ashraf 2/375
"Ma'ruf" refers to any action that is recognized as good either through Islamic teachings or sound reasoning.
② Meaning of Charity (Sadaqah):
The essence of charity is that one gives from their wealth willingly to please Allah. However, this hadith clarifies that a person can attain the reward of charity not only by spending wealth but also by utilizing other God-given abilities. For example, Abu Musa al-Ash’ari narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Every Muslim is obligated to give charity.” The people asked, “What if he does not find (anything to give)?” He (ﷺ) said, “He should work with his hands to benefit himself and give in charity.” They further asked, “What if he is unable to do that?” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, “Then he should assist a needy, oppressed person.” They asked, “What if he cannot do that?” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Then he should command good.” They said, “What if he is unable to do that?” He (ﷺ) said, “Then he should refrain from evil, for that is charity for him.” [Bukhari 2022]
③ Other Forms of Charity:
Sayyiduna Abu Dharr (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Your smile in the face of your brother is charity for you, commanding good is charity, forbidding evil is charity, removing a stone, thorn, or bone from the road is charity, and pouring water from your bucket into your brother's bucket is charity.”
(Tirmidhi, Al-Birr 36; Sahih al-Tirmidhi 1594)
Narration of Hadith:
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir (رضی اللہ عنہ) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Every good deed is charity.” [Bukhari]
Reference:
Bukhari 6021; see also Tuhfat al-Ashraf 2/375
Key Insights:
① Meaning of "Ma'ruf":"Ma'ruf" refers to any action that is recognized as good either through Islamic teachings or sound reasoning.
② Meaning of Charity (Sadaqah):
The essence of charity is that one gives from their wealth willingly to please Allah. However, this hadith clarifies that a person can attain the reward of charity not only by spending wealth but also by utilizing other God-given abilities. For example, Abu Musa al-Ash’ari narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Every Muslim is obligated to give charity.” The people asked, “What if he does not find (anything to give)?” He (ﷺ) said, “He should work with his hands to benefit himself and give in charity.” They further asked, “What if he is unable to do that?” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied, “Then he should assist a needy, oppressed person.” They asked, “What if he cannot do that?” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Then he should command good.” They said, “What if he is unable to do that?” He (ﷺ) said, “Then he should refrain from evil, for that is charity for him.” [Bukhari 2022]
③ Other Forms of Charity:
Sayyiduna Abu Dharr (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Your smile in the face of your brother is charity for you, commanding good is charity, forbidding evil is charity, removing a stone, thorn, or bone from the road is charity, and pouring water from your bucket into your brother's bucket is charity.”
(Tirmidhi, Al-Birr 36; Sahih al-Tirmidhi 1594)