Charity is an act through which a Muslim shows his good feelings and compassion for other Muslims and it is the real identity of a true Muslim who puts his trust in his Supreme Lord. If a Muslim feels the pain of his Muslim brother, and likes the same comfortable and good life for others which he likes for his own self then it is a natural reaction to give in charity and ease others’ sufferings and difficulties.
The word Sadaqah (charity) is refer to all acts that bring benefit or joy to others, but mostly is used to refer to charitable giving in Allah’s way. Feeding and supporting the poor, needy, orphans, relatives and travelers as well as spending in the way of Allah are all acts of charity in Islam. Sadaqah is completely a voluntary charity of any amount which can be given at any time. It can be used for any project or program which is of benefit to people.
Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) was the most generous of people that the history has witnessed. He used to give in Allah’s way with his own hands. If asked for anything, he never refused. If he had nothing to give at that time, he would borrow from his companions and pay them later.
The benefits of giving in Allah’s way:
The proofs and evidences from the Holy Quran and Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) points out the importance of this act of worship and remind us to give in Allah’s Cause in order to receive His countless Mercy, Favors and Bounties both in this world and in the Hereafter.
There are many benefits of charitable giving and the followings are some of them in the lights of Quran and Sunnah:
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Be charitable, your money will never be wasted:
Allah blesses acts of almsgiving and charity and makes them the cause of increase in wealth rather than decrease in it. Those who give in charity Allah will provide for them better than what they spend. Allah (SWT) says:
“The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears (grains of corn), and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.” (Al-Baqarah 2:261).
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Give from lawful sources and receive countless reward:
Allah does not accept anything but that which is good – but the Most Merciful takes it in His Right Hand, even if it is a date, and it flourishes in the Hand of the Most Gracious until it becomes bigger than a mountain. A little amount of charity given out of sincerity is a source of immense reward. Allah says:
“Allah will destroy Riba (usury) and will give increase for Sadaqat (deeds of charity, alms, etc.)” (Al-Baqarah 2:276).
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Angles pray for those who give in charity:
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Every day two angels come down (from the heaven) and one of them says, ‘O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your Cause,’ and the other (angel) says, ‘O Allah! Destroy every miser.’” (Al-Bukhari 1442).
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It expiates sins:
The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“The charity extinguishes sins like water extinguishes fire.” (At-Tirmidhi 2616).
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Charity protects you from Hell-fire:
The gist of the matter is that whatever is on hand, to give from it in charity. The poor should give from his scanty possession, and the rich from his plentiful wealth. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“Protect yourselves from the Fire, even with half of a date.” (Al-Bukhari 1413).
This means protection from the Hell-fire and admission into Paradise is not specific to the rich or the wealthy. The poor also might achieve the rank of generous benevolence, by means of their spending even ordinary things, with a good intention.
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It is a ransom from the Hell-fire:
The Prophet (PBUH) narrated the story of Zachariah (AS) in lengthy Hadith in which he mentioned that Zachariah (AS) commanded his people with five commandments of Allah and the following is one of them:
“Allah commanded you to give charity. The parable of that is a man captured by his enemies, tying his hands to his neck, and they come to him to beat his neck. Then he said: ‘I can ransom myself from you with a little or a lot.’ So he ransom himself from them.” (At-Tirmidhi 2863).
Conclusion:
Spending in Allah’s Cause is a sign of one’s true and sincere faith, strength of trust in his Lord and hope for great rewards both in this worldly life and in the Hereafter. Besides the above-mentioned benefits and virtues, it has many other benefits, which a Muslim longs for. One should not be afraid of poverty. He must spend for sake of Allah. It is Satan that frightens us with poverty, and beautifies for us miserliness and stinginess. Almighty Allah says:
“Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allah is All-Encompassing and All-Knowing.” (Al-Baqarah 2:268).
He who gives in charity should follow these matters:
- Sincerity in giving charity.
- He should give in charity from his lawful earnings.
- He must hope for reward from his Lord both in this world and in the Hereafter.
- He should not follow his charity with harm and reminding.
May Allah guide us to His Right Path and forgive our sins both inwardly and outwardly. Ameen
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