English Translation

Abd al-Malik ibn Amr told us, Ali — meaning Ibn al-Mubarak — told us, from Yahya, from Zayd ibn Sallam, from Abu Sallam: Abu Dharr said: "Upon every soul, on every day the sun rises, there is a charity due from it upon itself." I said: "O Messenger of Allah, from where shall I give charity when we have no wealth?" He said: "Because among the doors of charity are: saying Allah is Greatest, and Glory be to Allah, and Praise be to Allah, and there is no god but Allah, and I seek Allah's forgiveness; and enjoining good, and forbidding evil; and removing a thorn from people's path, or a bone, or a stone; and guiding the blind; and making the deaf and the mute hear until they understand; and directing one who seeks direction to something he needs whose location you know; and hastening with the strength of your legs to the anguished one who cries for help; and lifting with the strength of your arms alongside the weak — all of that is among the doors of charity from you upon yourself; and you have reward in your intimacy with your wife." Abu Dharr said: "How can I have reward in satisfying my desire?" The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do you see, if you had a child who grew up and you hoped for good from him, and then he died, would you not count that as a reward?" I said: "Yes." He said: "Did you create him?" I said: "Rather, Allah created him." He said: "Did you guide him?" I said: "Rather, Allah guided him." He said: "Do you provide for him?" I said: "Rather, Allah provided for him." He said: "Likewise, so place it in what is lawful for you and avoid what is unlawful for you; for if Allah wills He gives it life, and if He wills He causes it to die, and you have reward."