Every person’s every joint must perform a charity every day the sun comes up: to act justly between two people is a charity; to help a man with his mount, lifting him onto it or hoisting up his belongings onto it is a charity; a good word is a charity; every step you take to prayers is a charity; and removing a harmful thing from the road is a charity.
Allah has provided us with His great blessings for this purpose. A Muslim shall pray for every blessing. The movement of our body and our actions shall perform charity. It could be done by settling differences between two individuals who are disputing. Speaking good is also a charity. “Actions are judged by intentions”. Helping a person for loading and unloading his burden is also a charity, removing an obstacle from the path is a charity.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "It is also charity to utter a good word." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
<aside> 💡 To be charitable is not the prerogative of the rich alone. This Hadith teaches the Muslims the broader meaning of charity, that charity does not only refer to giving financial aid to a needy person, but concern for fellow beings at all times is also deemed as charity. Muslims should socially responsible by caring for the needs of others around them. Therefore, the important teaching of this Hadith is that every act done with the intention of pleasing God is considered a charity, and that worship is not only restricted to observing salat or sawm etc.
</aside>
Markscheme Answers:
Some examples of how the teachings of the Hadith can be put into action are given in the Hadith itself. Some other examples of its application in life could be as follows:
• Greeting others with a smile;
• Giving good advice to someone, perhaps even uniting two siblings or friends after an argument;
• Feeding a hungry person;
• Adopting a child or visiting an orphanage etc.
Social responsibility is the essence of this Hadith and Muslims can practise it by greeting others with a smile, giving correct advice when asked, feeding the hungry. Candidates can give personal examples of how to practise the teaching of this Hadith and all valid responses should be duly credited.
By practising charity Muslims can put into action the teachings of this Hadith. Examples of this can be removing say a banana peel from the pathway which may prevent someone from slipping, giving honest advice when it is sought, donating old clothes to charitable organisations, sharing one’s iftaar with a poor person. the list is endless. Candidates are free to give other examples and all valid responses need to be credited.
In response to this part of the question, a range of answers could be given to show how the teachings of this hadith could be put into action. From enquiring after someone’s health, to speaking a word of kindness to someone, to giving good and honest advice when one’s opinion is sought, etc.
We shall perform charity in our every action as helping others, taking their burdens, smiling and speaking good. Deciding matters among those who are fighting. Once a companion of the Holy Prophet(s) placed a wooden log on the road so that the travellers could rest on it, another companion put it aside thinking that any one could be hurt, both had a good intention
<aside> 💡 Social responsibility is the essence of this Hadith and Muslims can practise it by greeting others with a smile, giving correct advice when asked, removing say a banana peel from the pathway which may prevent someone from slipping, donating old clothes to charitable organisations, or sharing one’s iftaar with a poor person.
</aside>