بِسْم الله الرحمن الرحيم
9-2-1438H
سلامى = Bone / Joint
The Main Idea of the Hadith: Showing gratitude to Allah for creating the human being in a perfect shape.
And this Hadith is similar to the main idea of the previous Hadith with regards to the broad meaning of Sadaqah (Charity); but the difference is that the type of Sadaqah in the last Hadith is limited to the person, whereas it is transitive in this Hadith (i.e. it extends to the community). Both Hadiths thus complete one another.
Why did Imam An-Nawawi choose to place this Hadith along with the previous Hadith although they both discuss Sadaqah (Charity)?
1) To emphasize the importance of Sadaqah in Islam.
2) This could also be due to the influence of Imam Muslim over Imam An-Nawawi, as he used to write commentaries of Sahih Muslim, where charity was emphasized a lot.
-> This Hadith calls for the unity of Muslims and mentions the causes of the unity of hearts and efforts, which in the end will produce harmony and brotherly love in the Muslim Society.
"كل سلامى من الناس عليه صدقة كل يوم تطلع فيه الشمس"
On every Sulamah, in people, there is a Sadaqah (Charity), each day the sun rises
The Prophet ﷺ begins reminding us of the Greatness of Allah in creating the human being. One cannot help but be amazed by this creation, which Allah mentioned in the Qur'an in Surah At-Tin [95:4]
"Verily, We created man of the best stature (mould),"
And in Surah Al-Mu'minoon [23:12-14]:
"And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth)."
"Thereafter We made him (the offspring of Adam) as a Nutfah (mixed drops of the male and female sexual discharge) (and lodged it) in a safe lodging (womb of the woman)."
"Then We made the Nutfah into a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood), then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators."
The Plural of "سلامى" is "سلاميات"
Some said that the origin of the word refers to the hoof of the camel, whereas others said was used to refer to the small bones in the palm, fingers, hands, and feet, then it came to be referred to the bones of the entire body.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِنَّهُ خُلِقَ كُلُّ إِنْسَانٍ مِنْ بَنِي آدَمَ عَلَى سِتِّينَ وَثَلاَثِمَائَةِ مَفْصِلٍ فَمَنْ كَبَّرَ اللَّهَ وَحَمِدَ اللَّهَ وَهَلَّلَ اللَّهَ وَسَبَّحَ اللَّهَ وَاسْتَغْفَرَ اللَّهَ وَعَزَلَ حَجَرًا عَنْ طَرِيقِ النَّاسِ أَوْ شَوْكَةً أَوْ عَظْمًا عَنْ طَرِيقِ النَّاسِ وَأَمَرَ بِمَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ نَهَى عَنْ مُنْكَرٍ عَدَدَ تِلْكَ السِّتِّينَ وَالثَّلاَثِمِائَةِ السُّلاَمَى فَإِنَّهُ يَمْشِي يَوْمَئِذٍ وَقَدْ زَحْزَحَ نَفْسَهُ عَنِ النَّارِ " . قَالَ أَبُو تَوْبَةَ وَرُبَّمَا قَالَ " يُمْسِي "
"Every one of the children of Adam has been created with three hundred and sixty joints; so he who declares the Glory of Allah, praises Allah, declares Allah to be One, Glorifies Allah, and seeks forgiveness from Allah, and removes stone, or thorn, or bone from people's path, and enjoins what is good and forbids from evil, to the number of those three hundred and sixty joints, will walk that day having saved himself from the Fire.
Abu Taubah said: "Perhaps he said: 'Will reach the evening.'" [Sahih Muslim #1007]
Bones give the body its shape, strengthen it, and give it the flexibility to move. Most people do not realize or even stop to think about the importance of bones; only those who are deprived from using them are the ones who realizes their importance. In Surah Adh-Dhariyat [51:21]:
"And also in your ownselves. Will you not then see?"
And in Surah Al-Infitar [82:6-8]
"O man! What has made you careless concerning your Lord, the Most Generous?"
"Who created you, fashioned you perfectly, and gave you due proportion;"
"In whatever form He willed, He put you together."
We should show thankfulness to Allah. Gratitude is divided into two types:
1) Obligatory Gratitude
The person performs the obligations and refrains from prohibitons; he does not use his bones in disobedience to Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ said in a part of a longer Hadith:
فَيُمْسِكُ عَنِ الشَّرِّ، فَإِنَّهُ لَهُ صَدَقَةٌ "...."
"...Then he should refrain from doing evil, for that will be considered for Him as a Sadaqa (charity)" [Bukhari #6022]
2) Recommended Gratitude
This is performing recommended deeds and refraining from disliked actions.
The Prophet ﷺ is the perfect example of this:
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ يُصَلِّي حَتَّى تَوَرَّمَتْ قَدَمَاهُ فَقِيلَ لَهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ غَفَرَ لَكَ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِكَ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ . قَالَ " أَفَلاَ أَكُونُ عَبْدًا شَكُورًا "
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to pray until his feet became swollen. It was said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, Allah has forgiven you your past and future sins.’ He said: ‘Should I not be a thankful slave?’” [Ibn Majah]
The Prophet ﷺ mentioned a specific type of gratitude in this Hadith: To thank Allah for these bones by paying Sadaqah (Charity).
What is the legitimate ruling of this Sadaqah? The Scholars divided regarding specifying the ruling of this:
1) Some Scholars deem it obligatory because the word "على" implies obligation.
2) Other Scholars say it implies a strong recommendation.
3) Other Scholars say it implies both obligatory and recommended at the same time; some acts of charity are obligatory while others are recommended.
Whatever the ruling is, it is a duty for us to thank Allah.
Some people think that gratitude is only done by tongue. This is not enough, as mentioned in the Hadith; it should be done by both action and tongue. And this charity should not be done just once, it should be done on a daily basis.
No one can pay for 360 bones daily, so the Prophet ﷺ gives us a way out, by giving us different types of non-financial Sadaqah as an alternative.
And if one performs this type of Sadaqah daily, it will strengthen ones Faith.
If you notice, almost all the types of Charity listed include helping one another. Allah said in Surah Al-Maa'idah [5:2]:
"وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ"
"And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression."
1)" تعدل بين اثنين صدقة"
To solve a dispute justly between two people is a Charity (Sadaqah)
To reconcile between people and judge between them justly is a Charity. The Qur'an and Sunnah encourages such an act of charity, as Allah says in Surah Al-Anfal [8:1]:
"They ask you (O Muhammad ﷺ) about the spoils of war. Say: "The spoils are for Allah and the Messenger." So fear Allah and adjust all matters of difference among you, and obey Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad ﷺ), if you are believers."
This can take many forms, such as reconciling between man and wife, or two groups of people.
عَنْ سَهْلِ بْنِ سَعْدٍ ـ رضى الله عنه أَنَّ أَهْلَ، قُبَاءٍ اقْتَتَلُوا حَتَّى تَرَامَوْا بِالْحِجَارَةِ، فَأُخْبِرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِذَلِكَ فَقَالَ " اذْهَبُوا بِنَا نُصْلِحُ بَيْنَهُمْ "
Narrated Sahl bin Sa`d رضي الله عنه: Once the people of Quba fought with each other till they threw stones on each other. When Allah's Messenger ﷺ was informed about it, he said, "Let us go to bring about a reconciliation between them." [Bukhari #2693]
The matter is so great that the Prophet ﷺ permitted lying in such cases, as he said:
لَيْسَ بِالْكَاذِبِ مَنْ أَصْلَحَ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ فَقَالَ خَيْرًا أَوْ نَمَى خَيْرًا ""
"One who brings peace between people is not a liar, he says something good, or reports something good." [At-Tirmithi #1938]
You should have patience or the ability to solve problems with wisdom, otherwise you may make things worse: not anyone can do this job.
If there exist people who reconciliate between others, it will create harmony and love in the Muslim society. Allah promised those who do that with great rewards, as in Surah An-Nisa [4:114]:
"There is no good in most of their secret talks save (in) him who orders Sadaqah (charity in Allah's Cause), or Ma'ruf (Islamic Monotheism and all the good and righteous deeds which Allah has ordained), or conciliation between mankind, and he who does this, seeking the good Pleasure of Allah, We shall give him a great reward."
You use your mouth and mind when you reconciliate between others, thus paying charity of these bones.
2) "و تعين الرجل في دابته فتحمله عليها أو ترفع له عليها متاعة صدقة"
And to help a man with his mount, lifting him into it or hoisting up his belongings into it, is a charity (Sadaqah)
Helping each other is necessary, because no one can do all his work alone. This is the Sunnah which Allah has placed on earth. Allah commanded Muslims in Surah Al-Maa'idah [5:2]:
"وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ ۖ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ"
"And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression."
Helping one another has benefits:
-> The one who helps will get reward
-> You are facilitating in removing hardship
-> It achieves harmony and love in the Muslim Society
Do not wait for a person to ask you to help him, you be the one who takes the initiative.
This charity includes the limbs of your hands and feet, so you are thus paying the charity of your hands and feet.
3) "و الكلمة الطيبة صدقة"
And a good word is a charity
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر، فليقل خيرًا، أو ليصمت"
"He who believes in Allah and the Last Day must either speak good or remain silent." [Muslim].
Speaking good takes various forms:
1) Remembering Allah
In Surah Fatir [35:10]:
"Whosoever desires honour, power and glory then to Allah belong all honour, power and glory [and one can get honour, power and glory only by obeying and worshipping Allah (Alone)]. To Him ascend (all) the goodly words, and the righteous deeds exalt it (the goodly words i.e. the goodly words are not accepted by Allah unless and until they are followed by good deeds), but those who plot evils, theirs will be severe torment. And the plotting of such will perish."
2) Greeting one another
In Surah An-Nisa [4:86]:
"When you are greeted with a greeting, greet in return with what is better than it, or (at least) return it equally. Certainly, Allah is Ever a Careful Account Taker of all things."
3) Calling people to good
In Surah Fussilat [41:33]:
"And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."
4) Enjoining righteousness and forbidding evil
In Surah Aal-Imran [3:104]:
"Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islam), enjoining Al-Ma'ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful."
5) Interceding on people's behalf with the authority (if they have a right to achieve what they need)
In Surah An-Nisaa [4:85]:
"Whosoever intercedes for a good cause will have the reward thereof, and whosoever intercedes for an evil cause will have a share in its burden. And Allah is Ever All-Able to do (and also an All-Witness to) everything."
6) Educating others in the their religion
The Prophet ﷺ said:
" نَضَّرَ اللَّهُ امْرَأً سَمِعَ مِنَّا حَدِيثًا فَحَفِظَهُ حَتَّى يُبَلِّغَهُ "
"May Allah brighten a man who hears a tradition from us, gets it by heart and passes it on to others." [Abu Dawud #3660]
7) Supplicating for your Muslim Brothers
In Surah Al-Hashr [59:10]:
"And those who came after them say: "Our Lord! Forgive us and our brethren who have preceded us in Faith, and put not in our hearts any hatred against those who have believed. Our Lord! You are indeed full of kindness, Most Merciful."
8) Making an unhappy person happy by saying a good word.
The result that comes out of this good word is great. In Surah Ibrahim [14:24]:
"See you not how Allah sets forth a parable? - A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e. very high)."
4) "و كل خطوة تمشيها إلى الصلاة صدقة"
And every step that you take towards the prayer is a charity
This is a personal, limited Sadaqah. This shows the importance of congregational prayer - you are rewarded for every step to prayer.
Abdullah رضي الله عنه said:
"مَا مِنْ رَجُلٍ يَتَطَهَّرُ فَيُحْسِنُ الطُّهُورَ فَيَعْمِدُ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ فَيُصَلِّي فِيهِ فَمَا يَخْطُو خَطْوَةً إِلاَّ رَفَعَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِهَا دَرَجَةً وَحَطَّ عَنْهُ بِهَا خَطِيئَةً "
"There is no man who purifies himself and does it well, and comes to the mosque and prays there, but for every step that he takes, Allah raises him in status one degree thereby, and takes away one of his sins." [Ibn Majah #777]
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"مَنْ غَدَا إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ وَرَاحَ أَعَدَّ اللَّهُ لَهُ نُزُلَهُ مِنْ الْجَنَّةِ كُلَّمَا غَدَا أَوْ رَاحَ"
Whoever goes to the mosque in the morning and evening, then Allah will prepare for him a place in Paradise for every morning and evening. [Bukhari #631]
You use your leg and feet bones for this type of charity.
5) "و تميط الأذى عن الطريق صدقة"
And removing a harmful object from the road is a charity
This is a transitive charity.
Even if you go to the supermarket and see something on the floor, pick it up and put it back on the shelf, and you will be rewarded for it. Nowadays when Muslims see harmful things, they say it is not our business. Others say it is degrading; their pride prevents them from bending down and picking it up. This act you deem degrading, is great in the sight of Allah, and is a part of faith.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"الإيمان بضع وسبعون، أو بضع وستون شعبة: فأفضلها قول لا إله إلا الله، وأدناها إماطة الأذى عن الطريق، والحياء شعبة من الإيمان"
"Eeman has over seventy branches - or over sixty branches - the uppermost of which is the declaration: 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah'; and the least of which is the removal of harmful object from the road, and modesty is a branch of Eeman." [Agreed upon]
If Muslims abide by this, our streets will be the cleanest streets in the world. Now it's not a matter of getting others to pick up, but not to throw in the first place.
This kind of charity may save someones life. If there is a rock or nail, and you remove it, you are preventing accidents. This shows us the comprehensiveness of Islam, it cares about the tiny details of our life. No other religion in the world covers such tiny detail.
If removing harm from the tangible way is considered a charity, then removing harm from the moral, sensible way is even more important.
All these charities brings out humility and modesty in the heart of a person and dismisses pride and arrogance. If you want to get rid of arrogance in your heart, perform these types of charity in your daily life.
There is an addition to the Hadith in another narration:
"ويجزئ من ذلك ركعتان يركعهما من الضحى"
And the two Rak'ah of Duha prayers which one performs in the forenoon is equal to all this (in reward.) [Muslim #150]
When you pray, you are using all the bones in your body. Therefore Duha prayer takes the place of all these types of charity and the 360 joints.
Why specifically the Duha Prayer?
1) The Hadith mentions, "كل يوم تطلع فيه الشمس" "Each day when the sun rises...."
The time in which such prayer should be performed is when the sun rises.
2) The Raatibah are there to make up the shortages in the obligatory prayers. But at Duha time, there are no obligatory prayers with it to mend shortages.
This should be done daily, as the charity is incumbent on you daily.
Duha begins 10 to 15 minutes after the sunrises and ends 10 to 15 minutes before the Thuhr Prayer.
The least you can pray is 2 Rak'ah, and there is no maximum limit.
We should show gratitude to Allah for every joint and bone in our body by performing acts of non-financial charity every day. And you see the Generosity of Allah, in that you will be rewarded for even your gratitude of these bones, as well as benefit the society.
But know that no matter how much acts of charity you do in gratitude, you will never thank Him as He deserves.
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