The Forty Hadiths of al-Nawawi
On the authority of Abu Dharr, may Allah be pleased with him, also:
That some people from the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,
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 surplus wealth."
He said,
"Has Allah not provided you with that which you may give in charity?
Indeed, every glorification of Allah (tasbih) is a charity,
Every declaration of His greatness (takbir) is a charity,
Every declaration of His praise (tahmid) is a charity,
Every declaration of His oneness (tahlil) is a charity,
Enjoining good is a charity,
And forbidding evil is a charity,
And in the intimate act of one of you there is a charity."
They asked, "O Messenger of Allah,
Does one of us satisfy his desire and have a reward in it?"
He said,
"Do you see that if he were to place it in a forbidden act,
Would he not bear a sin?
Likewise, if he places it in the lawful,
He shall have a reward."
Narrated by Muslim.
This hadith demonstrates the vastness of the bounty of Allah the Exalted,
And that the doors to reward are not limited to wealth alone.
For the remembrance of Allah,
Enjoining good and forbidding evil,
And a good word,
And even the marital relationship when accompanied by a righteous intention,
Are all charities for which the Muslim is rewarded.
Thus, the hadith instills hope in the souls of all,
And teaches that superiority in the sight of Allah
Is attained through sincerity and righteous deeds,
Not through wealth or poverty,
And that the Muslim is able to acquire good deeds
In every moment of his life.