more than just a char..

• Any good deed. ”Every good deed (ma’ruf) is charity.” [Bukhari]

We learn from this hadith that whatever good action and deed is done by a Muslim, he gets a reward of sadaqah on it. The word ma’ruf stands here for every virtue and noble deed. Renunciation of evils is also a virtue (mar’uf).

• Dhikr/Remembrance of Allah. Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: Some people said to Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam): “O Messenger of Allah, the rich have taken away (all the) reward. They observe salat (prayers) as we do; and give sadaqah (charity) out of their surplus wealth.” Upon this he said, “Has Allah not prescribed for you (a course) following which you can (also) give sadaqah? In every declaration of the glorification of Allah (i.e., sayingsubhaan Allah) there is a sadaqah, and in every takbir (i.e., saying Allahu Akbar) is a sadaqah, and in every celebration of praise (saying alhamdulillah) is a sadaqah, and in every declaration that He is One (la ilaha illallah) is a sadaqah.” [Muslim]

Imam Nawawi (rahimahullah) says, “This hadith highlights two important points. Firstly, the enthusiasm of the companions of the Prophet (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) for surpassing each other in good actions. Secondly, it tells that virtue has a vast meaning in Islam and it includes every action which is done with good intention, provided it does not involve disobedience of Allah. So much so that it covers even natural activities of man which fall in the category of mubah (that which is permissible and may be omitted without fear of sin) and one is rewarded for them. Not only that, one is rewarded even for abstaining from a sin on the condition that the abstention is for the obedience of Allah. Then abstention rises to the level of an act of obedience and is rewarded likewise.”

• Good Speech. ”A good word is a charity.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

• Walking to the masjid for prayer. ”Every step that you take (towards the masjid) for prayer is a charity.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

• Removing something harmful from the road. ”Removing harmful things from the road is a charity.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

• Being just. ”Administering justice between two men is a charity.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

• Helping someone with their luggage. ”Assisting a man to mount his beast, or helping him load his luggage on it is a charity.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

• Spending on your family. ”O son of Adam, if you spend the surplus, it will be better for you; and if you retain it, it will be bad for you. You will not be reprimanded for keeping what is enough for your need. Begin with those who are your dependents, and the upper hand (i.e., the one that spends in the way of Allah) is better than the lower hand (i.e., the one that receives charity).” [Muslim]

• Assisting the needy. ”Then let him assist the needy, the aggrieved.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

• Enjoining good. ”Then he should enjoin good.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

• Abstaining from evil. ”"He should then abstain from evil, for verily, that is a charity from him.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

• Planting a tree. ”When a Muslim plants a tree, whatever is eaten from it is charity from him and whatever is stolen is charity and whatever is subtracted from it is charity.” [Muslim]

• Feeding others. A man asked Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam), “Which act in Islam is the best?” He (sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam) replied, “To feed (the poor and the needy) and to greet those whom you know and those you do not know.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

• Using any resource (time, food, knowledge) to spend on others. ”And whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah’s Cause), He will replace it.” (34:39)