Abu Dharr is reported as saying, "Your putting some of the water from your bucket in your brother's bucket is sadaqa. Your removing stones. thorns and bones from people's path is sadaqa. Your guiding a man in a place where there are no guides is sadaqa."
Commentary on the Hadith of Abu Dharr
This noble narration from the esteemed companion Abu Dharr al-Ghifari (may Allah be pleased with him) illuminates the vast scope of charity (sadaqa) in Islam. It demonstrates that sadaqa encompasses far more than material giving, extending to acts of kindness, assistance, and removing harm from the path of believers.
The First Act: Sharing Water
"Your putting some of the water from your bucket in your brother's bucket is sadaqa." In an arid land where water is life, this simple act carries profound meaning. The scholars explain this signifies helping others with what one possesses, even if it seems insignificant. It fosters brotherhood, relieves hardship, and embodies the Prophetic teaching that "even meeting your brother with a cheerful face is charity."
The Second Act: Clearing the Path
"Your removing stones, thorns and bones from people's path is sadaqa." This is a clear injunction to remove harm (darar) from the road, an act so beloved to Allah that it can be a cause for forgiveness of sins. Imam Nawawi comments that this includes any object that could injure people or animals, whether Muslim or not. It is a practical manifestation of faith that benefits the entire community.
The Third Act: Providing Guidance
"Your guiding a man in a place where there are no guides is sadaqa." This final example elevates intellectual and social assistance to the rank of worship. Guiding someone who is lost, whether on a physical journey or in matters of knowledge and religion, is a form of sadaqa. Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani states that this includes directing others to good and warning them from evil, fulfilling the communal obligation (fard kifayah) of enjoining good.
Conclusion & Spiritual Import
This hadith, found in Imam Bukhari's "Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 891", teaches us that every good deed (khayr) can be sadaqa. It expands the concept of charity to include every action that benefits another creation of Allah, making the path to righteousness accessible to all, regardless of their wealth. It calls upon the believer to be a source of ease and benefit for others in all circumstances, thereby drawing nearer to the Almighty.