Ramadan 3–2–1: Day Twenty-Four— Numerous Ways to Give Charity

Charity is not just by wealth, these deeds are also considered charitable…

It’s the twenty-fourth day of Ramadan, Alhamdulillah we’ve come this far. Sadly, the blessed month is gradually coming to an end. We don’t know if this will be our last Ramadan on Earth. Let’s fervently ask Allah to forgive our misdeeds and ask Him to accept our deeds in this blessed month. I hope you have a heavy heart and feel sorry for Ramadan’s departure. There’s really no time in the year like Ramadan. This is why we’d miss her when she’s gone.

The companions of the Prophet, Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam were so eager to execute good acts and charitable deeds. They had a very strong desire for goodness and only sought the pleasure of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala. They had poor people among them who became sad when they could not afford to donate their money to charity. Then Allah’s Apostle Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam gave them alternative ways to do charity.

Owing to their burning desire for thawab — rewards, they complained to the prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam about this shortcoming of theirs. They had this strong will to spend their wealth in the cause of Allah like the rich ones among them. However, Allah enriches whom He wills and impoverishes whom He chooses. This situation led to the duo scenario shared as evidenced below…

Let’s extract a few lessons from these hadith in Ramadan 3–2–1:

3 Derivable Lessons

• Each of the phrases of dhikr you utter such as tahmid, tahlil, and tasbih is counted for you as an act of charity. Every step you take to the musallah or masjid is counted for you as a charitable deed. This is just like a steal, easy acts huge rewards.
• We are encouraged to perform the acts of enjoining good and prohibiting evil. When we do this, we earn rewards and contribute to the well-being of society.
• Islam calls for and encourages its followers to build a caring society, where members care for one another, and support themselves. These concepts need to be promoted at home, in the masjid, in the media, and in every possible way.

2 Pieces of Evidence

Abu Dharr, radiyallahu ‘anhu, reported that some of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, said to him: “O Messenger of Allah, the rich have taken away all the rewards. They observe the prayer as we do, and they keep the fasts as we do, and they give sadaqah (charity) from their surplus riches.” Upon this he (the Prophet) said: “Has Allah not prescribed for you (a course) by following which you can also do sadaqah? Verily in every tasbih (i.e. saying Subhanallah) there is a sadaqah, every takbir (i.e. saying Allahu Akbar) is a sadaqah, every tahmid (i.e. saying Alhamdulillah) is a sadaqah, every tahlil (i.e. saying Lailaha illallah) is a sadaqah, enjoining of good is a sadaqah, forbidding of evil is a sadaqah, and having sexual intercourse with your wife is a sadaqah. They (the Companions) said: “O Messenger of Allah, is there reward for him who satisfies his sexual passion among us?” He said: “Tell me, if he were to devote it to something forbidden, would it not be a sin on his part? Similarly, if he were to devote it to something lawful, he should have a reward.” — [Muslim]

In another narration, the Prophet Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam also said:

Abu Hurairah, radiyallahu ‘anhu, reported that the Messenger of Allah , Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam, said : “On every person’s joints or small bones (i.e. fingers and toes), there is sadaqah (charity) every day the sun rises. Doing justice between two people is sadaqah; assisting a man to mount his animal, or lifting up his belongings onto it is sadaqah; a good word is sadaqah; every step you take towards prayer is sadaqah; and removing harmful things from pathways is sadaqah.” — [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

1 Rhetorical Question

This is a good opportunity for you to harness rewards without breaking the bank. So what’s stopping you from cashing out enormously?

That’s it for today and I hope you find it beneficial. Catch you tomorrow by the mercy of Allah. And until then, keep striving to be the best version of yourself. As Salamu Alaykum! Waramatullahi!! Wabarakatu!!!

Yaumus Sabt 24th Ramadan 1444H // Saturday 15th April 2023.