Charity is the wealth given to the poor for the pleasure of the Lord Almighty. Giving alms in the way of Allah is not a personal perfection of man because wealth and life are all gifts from the same Creator and Master.
Allah has bestowed favors on His servant that He may increase his wealth many times and give it without reckoning.
What is the Meaning of charity in Islam?
Definition of Charity in Islam
Charity is obligatory for every Muslim, although there is a difference in its nature. It is not necessary that every person spend his wealth and he will get the reward of charity and alms, but there is a vast meaning in charity and alms.
Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) said that giving charity to every Muslim is obligatory. The Companions asked: O Prophet of Allah! In which there is no ability (so what should he do)? He said He should work for his benefit and give alms. The Companions asked:
What if it can’t? He said: Help the oppressed needy. The Companions asked: What if you can’t do that? He said: If he does good deeds and refrains from evil deeds, then this is the charity for him. Therefore, every person should give as much as possible, in whatever case he can afford.
Giving charity is a human trait.
When Allah Almighty created the earth, it began to move. Then Allah created the mountains and placed them on the planet so that they remained. The angels were amazed. Allah also said that iron is more important in this universe than these mountains.
They said: O Lord! Is there anything more substantial than iron in the universe you have created? He said: Yes! There is fire, they said: My Lord! Is there anything in your creation that is more powerful than fire? Allah Almighty said: Yes! There is water.
Then they said: Ya Allah! What is it that defeats water in this universe? Lord said: Air Asked: Is any creature more complex than air? He said: Yes, he is a human being. They give alms in such a way that no creature knows about it.
Charity and our society
Nowadays, in our society, this moral disease is very common. Other people are given a lot of favors and often given charity, but their poor and deserving relatives are completely ignored. The reasons for this are not solid but are often due to malice, suspicion, and egoism.
For example, if a poor relative speaks against a wealthy relative, disagrees with him, or even says something about that rich relative, the rich relative is offended.
This shows that we will give alms to those whom we are pleased with and not to those on whom Islam commands us to spend.
It is as if we want to make the poor needy and benevolent by giving charity. That is why we reject the poor relative who does not meet our standards, no matter how deserving he may be. Charitable benign benevolent crossword clue.
Charity given with the intention of fame and hypocrisy will not be acceptable in the sight of Allah Almighty but will become a disaster. Any good deed done to show off to others or for personal display will not be accepted. The first person to be thrown into Hell will be a hypocritical benefactor who used to spend his wealth to show off to the people.
We should never think that people should call us rich or benefactors when we spend money or do good deeds. Doing so destroys the good deeds and causes them to suffer the consequences.
Giving charity increases wealth.
Giving alms never reduces wealth but increases it immensely, and Allah Almighty also raises the ranks of those who give alms.
According to Islam’s teachings, giving alms for the sake of Allah Almighty is rewarding. Degrees are also raised, wealth is blessed immensely, and help is provided in occult ways.
Importance of Charity in Islam
- Islam places great emphasis on strengthening social relations. Cooperation and support are of paramount importance in creating mutual love in society. That is why Islam emphasizes the great virtue of helping people in need and helping people in need.
- Hazrat Abdullah bin Omar says that Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) said: Whoever responds to the needs of his (Muslim) brother, Allah will respond to his needs, and whoever solves the worldly problem of a Muslim, Lord will solve one of his problems on the Day of Qayamat.
- Narrated by Hazrat Zayd bin Thabit. Until then, If Allah helps a servant, it means that the servant keeps helping the creatures. (helps) his (Muslim) brother’s work.
- From this ahaadeeth, it is clear how great it is to help others. Chaos, uncertainty, and selfishness are on the rise in our society today because we have stopped considering the pain of others as our pain and are now sharing their pain. Indifference is increasing in our society; no one in the neighborhood knows who lived and who died.
Charity Importance in Hadith
Hazrat Abo Horaira (RA) narrates that Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) said: A businessman used to give loans to people. When he saw someone with a narrow hand, he would say to his servants: Forgive him; maybe Allah will forgive us. So Allah forgave him.
When he died, Allah Almighty asked: Did you do any good? The man replied: No, but I had a servant and used to lend to people. When I used to send this servant to collect the loan, I would instruct him to take it quickly, leave it where there was difficulty, and forgive; maybe Allah would also forgive us. Allah Almighty said to him: I have forgiven you.
Conclusion
We should not give charity in such a way that the person being given charity feels humiliated at that time, because in this day and age, we also help others so that the person raises his head in the whole society.
FAQ:
Q: Can I use my Zakat funds to help the less fortunate in my community?
- A: Yes, zakat funds can be used to help the less fortunate in your community. It is recommended that you give the zakat to an authorized agent, who will then distribute it to those in need.
Q: Can I perform additional charity acts besides zakat?
- A: It is recommended to perform additional charity acts or sadaqah outside of your zakat obligation. This includes giving secretly, feeding people experiencing poverty, or donating to charitable causes.
Q: How can I ensure my charity effectively reaches needy people?
- A: To ensure effective charity, it is recommended to follow Islamic guidelines, consult with knowledgeable individuals, and donate to trustworthy organizations or agents. Additionally, giving with a generous heart is also crucial.
Q: Can I perform charity acts like volunteering, donating to a charity, or attending fundraisers during zakat? A:
- Yes, during zakat, you can perform various charity acts, such as volunteering, donating to a charity, or attending fundraisers. These acts can be performed alongside or instead of your zakat obligation.
Q: Can I waive my zakat obligation if I cannot afford it?
- A: In Islam, the zakat obligation cannot be waived. However, if you find it challenging to fulfill your zakat obligation, increasing your wealth in line with your means is recommended. Alternatively, you can perform sadaqah acts or fast during Ramadan to increase your charitable acts.