and thereby benefit himself and give charity. This is evidence that earning a living is obligatory. If he is unable to do so, he should help someone in need through physical effort; if he cannot, then through his speech. If he does not do that, he should refrain from evil. The first two involve wealth, whether already possessed or newly earned; the next two involve bodily effort, whether with one’s hands or one’s tongue.

In Sahīh Muslim, Abū Dharr reports that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Each morning, charity is due for every joint in each of you. Every saying of ‘Glory be to Allah’ is charity; every saying of ‘Praise be to Allah’ is charity; every saying of ‘There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah’ is charity; and every saying of ‘Allah is the Greatest’ is charity. Enjoining good is charity, and forbidding evil is charity. Two units of prayer performed in the forenoon suffice for all of that.”

In this hadith, he counted the four utterances, enjoining good, and forbidding evil as charity. Two units of the forenoon prayer suffice.

It also reports from him:

“Some of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, ‘Messenger of Allah, the wealthy have taken all the rewards. They pray as we pray and fast as we fast, but they also give charity from their surplus wealth.’

“He replied, ‘Has Allah not given you something with which to give charity? Every saying of “Glory be to Allah” is charity; every saying of “Allah is the Greatest” is charity; every saying of “Praise be to Allah” is charity; and every saying of “There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah” is charity. Enjoining good is charity, and forbidding evil is charity. And when any of you has sexual intercourse, that too is charity.’

“They said, ‘Messenger of Allah, can one of us satisfy his desire and be rewarded for it?’

“He replied: