- “Every joint of a person owes charity on every day when the sun rises: bringing justice between two people is charity; helping a man onto his mount, or lifting his belongings onto it, is charity; a good word is charity; every step he takes toward the prayer is charity; and removing something harmful from the road is charity.”
Al-Bukhārī recorded it (3/171/4/15), as did Muslim (3/83) and Aḥmad (2/312, 316, and 374), on the authority of Abū Hurayrah, attributed to the Prophet. In one version recorded by al-Bukhārī (3/224), it reads: “Showing the way is charity,” in place of “and removing,” and so on.
Al-Suyūṭī cited it in al-Jāmiʿ with this wording, except that he included both phrases together, then attributed it to the three aforementioned compilers. This is not sound for two reasons: first, the addition is found only in al-Bukhārī; and second, it combines two of his narrations. This gives the impression that his narration—and indeed that of all three compilers—contains both additions together, and the problem with that is clear.
The hadith has other routes in the Musnad:
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From ʿAbd Allāh ibn Lahīʿah: Abū Yūnus Sulaym ibn Jubayr, the freedman of Abū Hurayrah, narrated to us that he heard Abū Hurayrah relate it as a hadith attributed to the Prophet, with the wording: “Charity has been prescribed for every person every day ...” and so on, similarly worded. Aḥmad recorded it (2/350) through Ḥasan, from him. This is a good chain in corroborative reports.
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He recorded it (2/328–329) from al-Mubārak ibn Faḍālah, from al-Ḥasan, from Abū Hurayrah, attributed to the Prophet: “Every joint of the son of Adam is charity when he enters the morning.” This proved burdensome for the Muslims, so the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, said: “Your greeting to Allah’s servants is charity, and your removing something harmful from the road is charity.” The hadith is quoted only in part.
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He narrated it (2/395) from Khallās, from him, attributed to the Prophet, with the wording: