and guide one seeking something to the place where you know it to be; hasten with the full strength of your legs to a distressed person calling for help; and exert the full strength of your arms in helping the weak. All of this is among the avenues of charity that you give on your own behalf. You are also rewarded for marital intercourse with your wife.” Abū Dharr said, “How can I be rewarded for fulfilling my desire?” He said, “Suppose you had a child who reached maturity and from whom you hoped for good, then he died—would you seek reward for him?” I said, “Yes.” He said, “Did you create him?” He said, “Rather, Allah created him.” He said, “Did you guide him?” He said, “Rather, Allah guided him.” He said, “Did you provide for him?” He said, “Rather, Allah provided for him.” He said, “Then likewise, place it in what is lawful and keep it away from what is forbidden. If Allah wills, He will give him life, and if He wills, He will cause him to die; and you will have your reward.”

Imām Aḥmad recorded it (5/168): ʿAbd al-Malik ibn ʿAmr narrated to us; ʿAlī—that is, Ibn Mubārak—narrated to us, from Yaḥyā, from Zayd ibn Salām, from Abū Salām, who said: Abū Dharr said, “Upon every soul...” This is how it appears in the original: he did not attribute it to the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Apparently, something was omitted by the copyist, as indicated by the context. This is an authentic chain of transmission; all its narrators are trustworthy narrators of Muslim. Ibn Ḥibbān and al-Nasāʾī also narrated it, as indicated by the notation in al-Muntakhab (2/535). And Allah knows best.

It has another, shorter route with the wording: “Your smile in the face of your brother is charity.” It has already preceded. Abū Dharr also narrated another hadith, saying: “I asked the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, ‘Which deed is best?’ He said, ‘Faith in Allah and striving in His cause.’ I said, ‘Which slaves are best to set free?’ He said, ‘Those most expensive in price and most precious to their owners.’ I said, ‘What if I cannot do that?’ He said, ‘Assist a skilled worker, or make something for one who lacks the skill.’ I said, ‘What if I cannot do that?’ He said, ‘Refrain from harming people, for that is a charity you give on your own behalf.’”

Al-Bukhārī recorded it (3/117), as did al-Adab al-Mufrad (34, 46), Muslim (1/62), and Aḥmad (5/150, 171), from Abū Marāwiḥ, from him. Al-Nasāʾī also recorded its first sentence (2/57).