Sharh · explanationclick to expand
Allah, Exalted is He, decreed that all acts of goodness a person performs to fulfill his own rights over himself in terms of worship, and the rights of others in terms of acts of kindness, should be counted as Sadaqah (i.e., charity) as an expression of gratitude to Allah, Exalted is He, for health and wellbeing. In this hadeeth, the Prophet ﷺ stated that there is a (compulsory) Sadaqah to be given for every joint of the human body (as a sign of gratitude to Allah, Exalted is He) every day the sun rises, by performing acts of obedience and righteous deeds every day. This is done by using these joints in performing acts of obedience and worship. The bone structure of the human body is one of the greatest blessings bestowed by Allah, Exalted is He, upon His servant. Therefore, one should offer Sadaqah for each joint in his body to express gratitude to Allah, Exalted is He, for such a blessing. However, it is not incumbent to do so; it is adequate for a person to carry out the obligations and avoid the prohibitions. Afterward, the Prophet ﷺ listed some acts of obedience that are counted as Sadaqah, which one may perform to express gratitude to Allah, Exalted is He, for the blessing of his joints. He ﷺ stated: “To judge justly between two persons is regarded as Sadaqah,” or reconcile between disputing people. Reconciliation is a good act, yet if he knew that one of them was rightfully entitled to the disputed item or right, he must establish justice. Another example of Sadaqah is to help a man concerning his riding animal, or any other means of transportation, by helping him ride it or by lifting his luggage on to it. The Arabic word used in the hadeeth is Akheeh, lit., his brother, and it refers to one’s fellow Muslims in general, since all Muslims are brothers in faith. A Muslim is required to wish for his fellow Muslims what he wishes for himself, and exchange with them acts of kindness and charity. Another example listed in the hadeeth is good speech, in fulfillment of the rights of Allah, Exalted is He, such as Tasbeeh (i.e., saying 'SubhaanAllaah,’ Glory be to Allah), Takbeer (i.e., saying ‘Allaahu Akbar,’ Allah is the Greatest), and Tahleel (i.e., saying 'La ilaahaillaAllaah,’ none is worthy of worship but Allah), or in fulfillment of people’s rights such as embodying good morals in one’s interactions with people. Another example is every step taken on one's way to offer the compulsory prayer (in the mosque), regardless of the distance, and to remove harmful objects from the people’s way. It was narrated on the authority of AbooDharr(may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: “… and two Rak‘ahs which one prays in the forenoon will suffice.” [Muslim]. This means that performing the Duhaa prayer is sufficient asSadaqah for each joint, because the prayer is performed by the whole body and it incorporates all the listed acts of Sadaqah and more. The hadeeth underlines the numerosity of the acts of goodness and obedience that count as Sadaqah devoted to Allah, Exalted is He. It urges Muslims to perform acts of obedience regularly. It also underlines the grace of Allah, Exalted is He, conferred upon His servants by guiding them to perform righteous deeds and then rewarding them for them. .