Noor Garden

“A Kind Word Is Charity” – Hadith for Kids

Good speech · Ages 5–11

This hadith teaches children that a kind word is a charity. Saying "thank you", "well done", "are you okay?" or "As-salamu alaykum" is a gift that anyone can give, even without money. Kind words make people feel loved and help them, and Allah writes a reward for every good word we say.

Start learning this hadith

The hadith

وَالْكَلِمَةُ الطَّيِّبَةُ صَدَقَةٌ

(part of a longer hadith)

A kind word is a charity.

Narrated by: Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him)
Source: Sahih al-Bukhari 2989; Sahih Muslim 1009
Grade: Sahih (agreed upon)

What it teaches

Nice words like "thank you" and "well done" are charity that anyone can give.

A little story to help understand it

This is an illustrative example we wrote to explain the meaning. It is not part of the hadith.

Maryam's class had a spelling test, and her friend Sumaya got many words wrong. Sumaya looked sad and hid her paper. Maryam remembered that a kind word is charity. She sat next to her and said, "You worked really hard. Shall we practise together tomorrow?" Sumaya nodded and smiled a little. The next week, Sumaya did much better and thanked Maryam. Maryam realised that her few kind words had given her friend courage. "Words can be like presents," she told her mother that evening.

Try it today

Say three kind words today, like "Great job!" or "Thank you!"

Mini quiz

What is a kind word?

  1. A charity
  2. A secret
  3. A joke
Show the answer

Answer: A charity (A)

Questions parents ask

Is this hadith authentic?

Yes. It is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari 2989; Sahih Muslim 1009. Grade: Sahih (agreed upon). It was narrated by Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him). The words shown here are part of a longer hadith.

How can kids practice it?

Say three kind words today, like "Great job!" or "Thank you!" Keep a "kind words jar": every time someone says a kind word, drop in a paper star and count them at the end of the week.

What are some examples of kind words?

Examples include: As-salamu alaykum, thank you, JazakAllahu khayran, well done, I'm sorry, can I help you?, and gentle advice. Any good word said to please Allah is charity.

More hadith to learn

Say Good or Stay Silentمَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ …Sahih al-Bukhari 6018; Sahih Muslim 47; Nawawi's 40 Hadith #15Manners of Eatingيَا غُلاَمُ، سَمِّ اللَّهَ، وَكُلْ بِيَمِينِكَ، وَكُلْ …Sahih al-Bukhari 5376; Sahih Muslim 2022

← All 15 hadith for kids

Last reviewed: 2026-10-09 · Sources & Method