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WAYS OF CHARITY

142

“Charity is incumbent upon every Muslim. He was asked: ‘What if a person has nothing?’ He answered: ‘Then he should work with his hands to his own benefit and also give charity.’ He was asked: ‘What if he is unable to work?’ The Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, replied: ‘Then he should help someone who is needy and poor.’ He was asked: ‘What if he is unable to do even that?’ The Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, replied: ‘Then he should encourage others to do good.’ The Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, was asked: ‘What if he lacks that also?’ He replied: ‘Then he should restrain himself from doing evil, that too is charity.’"

Bukhari and Muslim with a chain up to Abu Musa Ash'ari who related that the Prophet, praise and peace be upon him, said this.