Every Tasbih Is Charity: Hadith 25 of an-Nawawi

What if you want the reward of charity but have little money to give? Some of the poorer Companions felt exactly that, and they brought their worry to the Prophet ﷺ. His answer is Hadith 25 of Imam an-Nawawi’s collection: every tasbih is charity, and so is every takbir, every word of praise, every la ilaha illallah, and much more. Here is the hadith, what the scholars say about it, and how to fill your day with charity that costs nothing.

The hadith

Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that some of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to him:

Imam an-Nawawi gives it as Hadith 25 of his 40 Hadith.

What “every tasbih is charity” means

The Encyclopedia of Translated Prophetic Hadiths (HadeethEnc) explains that the poorer Companions were not complaining about the rich. They wanted the same reward and could not give money, so the Prophet ﷺ guided them to kinds of charity they could afford:

• Words of remembrance: إِنَّ بِكُلِّ تَسْبِيحَةٍ صَدَقَةً وَكُلِّ تَكْبِيرَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَكُلِّ تَحْمِيدَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَكُلِّ تَهْلِيلَةٍ صَدَقَةٌ. Every SubhanAllah, Allahu Akbar, Alhamdulillah and La ilaha illallah counts as charity.
• Enjoining good and forbidding evil are each charity too.
• Lawful intimacy with one’s spouse: HadeethEnc explains this as a man’s intercourse with his wife. When the Companions were surprised, the Prophet ﷺ answered with an analogy: if it would be a sin when done in a forbidden way, then done lawfully it brings a reward.

HadeethEnc quotes Imam an-Nawawi: this shows that permissible actions can become acts of obedience through sincere intentions, such as fulfilling the rights of one’s wife and treating her kindly, hoping for a righteous child, and keeping both spouses chaste. Among the other benefits it lists: the Companions competed in good deeds, the doors of good are many, and Islam is easy, since every Muslim can find something to do in obedience to Allah. On intention, see actions are judged by intentions.

No good deed is too small

The Quran reminds us that even the smallest good is seen and counted:

Reflection: what stands out to me is how the Companions turned envy into ambition. They did not resent the wealthy or ask for their money; they asked how they could earn the same reward. The answer opened doors that are open to all of us, rich or poor, every day: the tongue, a kind word of advice, and the ordinary parts of family life when they are done for Allah.

How to put it into practice

The hadith does not set a number, so these are suggestions:

• Fill small gaps with dhikr, such as waiting, walking or driving. See four heavy phrases of dhikr.
• Enjoin good gently: a reminder about the prayer, or a word that stops a wrong, given with kindness.
• Bring intention into ordinary life. Before work, a meal or time with your family, intend it for Allah.
• Remember your family: spending on them is also charity; see providing for your family.

Key lessons

• Every tasbih, takbir, tahmid and tahlil is charity.
• Enjoining good and forbidding evil are charity too.
• Lawful acts can earn reward when done with a good intention.
• No one is shut out of good deeds; the doors of charity are open to all.

Questions people ask

A question to reflect on: which ordinary part of your day could become charity tomorrow, simply by the intention you bring to it?

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