and said, “Allah has revealed: ‘You will never attain righteousness until you spend of that which you love.’ The dearest of my wealth to me is Bayraḥā.” Bayraḥā was a well-kept orchard near the Prophet’s Mosque; the Messenger of Allah ﷺ would visit it and drink its sweet, fresh water—a feature that naturally endears such a place to its owner. Abū Ṭalḥah went on: “The property I love most is Bayraḥā, and I now donate it for the sake of Allah and His Messenger. Dispose of it, Messenger of Allah, wherever you see fit.”

The Prophet ﷺ exclaimed, “Bakh, bakh! A profitable asset—truly profitable!” Then he said, “I think you should give it to your relatives.” So Abū Ṭalḥah distributed it among his kin. The point is that the Companions raced one another to acts of goodness.

Abū Dharr then asked, “If a man cannot find such a slave—that is, the one most valued by his owners and highest in price—what should he do?” The Prophet replied, “Help a skilled worker, or assist someone inept.” In other words, do a kindness for someone capable, or aid a person who is clumsy and does not know how; give him support and assistance. This too counts as charity and as a righteous deed.

Abū Dharr said, “And if I cannot even do that?” He answered, “Then keep your harm away from people; that is a charity you give to yourself.” This is the bare minimum: that a person restrain his own evil so others are safe from him. Allah is the One who grants success.