Jabir (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu’ alayhi wa sallam) said: “If a Muslim plants a tree, whatever is eaten from it is charity from him and whatever is stolen is charity and whatever is subtracted from it is charity.” [Muslim] Another narration says: “If a Muslim plants a tree, or sows (seeds) a field and men and beasts and birds eat from it, all of it is charity from him.” [Riyadus-Saliheen]
Commentary:
1- This Hadeeth highlights the importance of gardening and agriculture.
2- It is worth pointing out that if someone patiently bears the loss that he suffers due to pilferage (theft) of his produce, he is rewarded for it.
Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (Rahimahullaah) said: “There is abundant good in planting and sowing. In them is a religious benefit as well as a worldly interest.
As for the worldly interest, the produce of the plant will benefit the planter and the whole country. All people will benefit from it by buying its fruits and seeds and eating from it. In this way there will be growth in goodness in the community, contrary to the wealth which would be put in safe boxes, where no one can benefit from it.
As for religious benefits: if birds, chickens, pigeons, and so forth eat from it, even one seed of it; it is considered as a Sadaqah for the person who planted it, whether he intended it or not. Even if the person didn’t think of it when he was planting or sowing, still it will be considered as a Sadaqah for him.
More wondrous than that, if a thief steals a date fruit from someone’s garden or palm tree, it will be written as a reward for the owner/ planter. Even though the owner may know the thief and take him to court, Allaah (Ta’ala) has written a Sadaqah for him by this theft till the Day of Judgment.
Moreover, if any beasts or creatures of the earth eat of that plant, it is Sadaqah for him. Accordingly, the Hadeeth indicates that the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) encouraged planting and sowing because in them are abundant worldly and religious benefits.
3- The Hadeeth highlights a variety of ways to do good, and whatever the people benefit from that good, will be a charity for the owner of that good. He will be rewarded for it whether he intended that or not.
This is like the Statement of Allaah in Surat An-Nisaa’ (4:114):
لَّا خَيْرَ فِى كَثِيرٍ مِّن نَّجْوَىٰهُمْ إِلَّا مَنْ أَمَرَ بِصَدَقَةٍ أَوْ مَعْرُوفٍ أَوْ إِصْلَٰحٍۭ بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِۚ وَمَن يَفْعَلْ ذَٰلِكَ ٱبْتِغَآءَ مَرْضَاتِ ٱللَّهِ فَسَوْفَ نُؤْتِيهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيمًا
“There is no good in most of their secret talks save (in) him who orders Sadaqah (charity in Allaah’s Cause), or Ma’roof (Islamic Monotheism and all the good and righteous deeds which Allaah has ordained), or conciliation between mankind, and he who does this, seeking the good Pleasure of Allaah, We shall give him a great reward.”
Allaah (Ta’ala) has mentioned these matters in which there is good, whether one intended to do it or not of ordering Sadaqah or conciliation between people, which are good (Ma’roof). If one intends with his action to seek the good pleasure of Allaah and to see the Face of Allaah, then he will be given a great reward.
4- If people get benefit from utilities and services (interests), that will be good for its owner, even if he did not intend that. And if he intended it, he will be increased in goodness and Allaah will grant him an abundant and great reward out of His Grace.” [End quote]
Sources:
Riyadus-Saliheen by Darussalam
Sharh Riyadus-Saliheen by Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen
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