Translation

Also on the authority of Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him): Some people from amongst the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), "O Messenger of Allah, the affluent have made off with the rewards; they pray as we pray, they fast as we fast, and they give [much] in charity by virtue of their wealth." He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Has not Allah made things for you to give in charity? Truly every tasbeehah [saying: 'subhan-Allah'] is a charity, and every takbeerah [saying: 'Allahu akbar'] is a charity, and every tahmeedah [saying: 'al-hamdu lillah'] is a charity, and every tahleelah [saying: 'laa ilaha illAllah'] is a charity. And commanding the good is a charity, and forbidding an evil is a charity, and in the bud`i [sexual act] of each one of you there is a charity." They said, "O Messenger of Allah, when one of us fulfils his carnal desire will he have some reward for that?" He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "Do you not see that if he were to act upon it [his desire] in an unlawful manner then he would be deserving of punishment? Likewise, if he were to act upon it in a lawful manner then he will be deserving of a reward."

Explanation

Some of the poorer Companions worried that the wealthy had surpassed them in reward by giving charity from their surplus wealth. The Prophet ﷺ taught that every tasbih (subhan Allah), takbir (Allahu akbar), tahmid (al-hamdu lillah) and tahlil (la ilaha illa Allah) is a charity, as is enjoining good, forbidding evil, and even lawful intimacy with one's spouse. Reward is therefore within everyone's reach, not only the rich.

Key Lessons

• 1Charity is far broader than giving money
• 2Every act of dhikr counts as charity
• 3Lawful acts done with the right intention are rewarded
• 4Reward is accessible to rich and poor alike

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