Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "There is a Sadaqa to be given for every joint of the human body; and for every day on which the sun rises there is a reward of a Sadaqa (i.e. charitable gift) for the one who establishes justice among people."
The Comprehensive Nature of Charity
This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (2707) reveals two profound dimensions of sadaqah (charity). First, the Prophet ﷺ teaches that every joint in the human body requires its due charity - meaning each joint's proper use in obedience to Allah constitutes charity. The scholars count 360 joints in the human body, indicating the continuous opportunity for daily worship.
The Daily Charity of Justice
The second part establishes that with every sunrise, establishing justice among people earns one the reward of charity. Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explains in Fath al-Bari that this includes judging fairly, reconciling disputing parties, and preventing oppression.
Al-Qurtubi emphasizes that this justice encompasses all relationships - between ruler and ruled, merchant and customer, husband and wife. The "reward of sadaqah" means Allah grants the same spiritual recompense as if one had given physical charity.
Scholarly Commentary on "Peacemaking"
Imam al-Nawawi comments that this hadith elevates peacemaking to the highest form of charity, as it preserves social harmony and prevents bloodshed. The daily renewal of this reward indicates that maintaining justice requires constant vigilance and effort.
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali notes in Jami' al-Ulum wal-Hikam that the combination of physical charity (through joint worship) and social charity (through justice) completes a Muslim's spiritual and communal responsibilities, fulfilling both individual and collective obligations to Allah.