The Hadith
Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Some of the companions of the Messenger of Allah said to the Prophet:
“O Messenger of Allah, the wealthy have taken all the rewards. They pray as we pray, they fast as we fast, and they give charity from their excess wealth.”
The Prophet said:
“Has Allah not given you things with which you can give charity?
Every glorification of Allah (Subhan Allah) is charity.
Every declaration of His greatness (Allahu Akbar) is charity.
Every praise of Him (Alhamdulillah) is charity.
Every declaration of His oneness (La ilaha illa Allah) is charity.
Enjoining good is charity.
Forbidding evil is charity.
And in the sexual act of one of you there is charity.”
They said: “O Messenger of Allah, when one of us fulfills his desire, will he have a reward for that?”
He said:
“Do you not see that if he were to place it in what is unlawful he would have a sin?
Likewise, if he places it in what is lawful he will have a reward.”
Reference
Reported by Muslim.
Explanation (From Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan)
In this hadith some of the companions complained that the wealthy companions were receiving more reward because they were able to give charity from their wealth.
The Prophet explained that charity is not limited to giving money.
Acts of remembrance such as glorifying Allah, praising Him, declaring His greatness, and affirming His oneness are all forms of charity.
The Prophet also mentioned that commanding good and forbidding evil are acts of charity.
He then explained that even fulfilling one’s lawful marital desire can be a source of reward.
When the companions were surprised by this, the Prophet clarified that if a person were to fulfill that desire in an unlawful way he would receive sin. Therefore, fulfilling it in a lawful manner brings reward.
This hadith shows that many everyday actions can become acts of charity when they are done according to what Allah has permitted.
References
The Explanation of Imam an-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith: Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan. Dar Makkah International.
Verified on 2026-10-21 against: The Explanation of Imam an-Nawawi’s 40 Hadith (Shaykh Salih al-Fawzan), Hadith 25.