بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Giving charity is a sign of a good Muslim. Charity is testament of true faith and devotion. A true believer gives a lot of charity. Charity is the best and most beloved thing to Allah. There is a special gate to Paradise exclusively for those who spend their wealth for the sake of Allah.
As Muslims we are to give charity day and night, secretly and publicly.
Generally charity is recommended to be given secretly, as it is more likely to be sincere and pure, no show off and avoid hurting the feelings of other people.
Charity helps purify our soul and remove our greed.
Charity shouldn't be considered a burden to you but rather a gift from Allah that you are blessed to be able to share with others. What you give does not decrease your wealth. In fact, Allah promised to replace it for you, and Allah will bless the remaining wealth and make it useful for you.
The reward of charity is increased by manifold.
Not everyone has wealth but that doesn't mean poor people cannot give charity, and enjoy the great reward.
Out of the mercy of Allah, charity is not just financial but also every act of goodness, physical or spiritual, tangible or less tangible things like knowledge, position, reputation, the well-being of those we love, the regard of those who can help us, etc.
You give something that you value greatly, something that you love. It is unselfishness that Allah demands, and there is no act of unselfishness, however small or intangible, but is well within the knowledge of God.
Narrated by Abu Dharr, may Allah be pleased with him, who reported that Allah’s Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,
The least form of charity is charity to yourself, by being a good person, doing good deeds and abstaining from doing bad deeds. It is a daily obligation in Islam that can be practiced by each and everyone.
Charity should be made a lifelong practice by each and everyone of us. Charity begins at home. Charity to relatives has double reward. Two relatives have priority--orphan and relative who has a hidden hostility towards you. This is a great way to soften one's hearts. Kindness begets kindness.
Charity should also be given to friends, neighbors, students of knowledge, just cause and for matters of public interest.
Generosity is the key for most of the closed hearts.
In the conquest of Makkah, there was a man called "Safwan Ibn Umia". That man ran away after making all possible means in keeping the people of Islam and after making conspiracies to kill the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace. Later on, the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, forgave him and he came back asking the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, to give him the time of two months to think about Islam and the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "You can take four months, not just two". In spite of being a disbeliever, he accompanied the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, in the Hunain and Al Ta'if conquests. In Al Ta'if, while the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, was dividing the booties of the war, he noticed that man looking longingly to a vast land in which a large number of cattle were flocking. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, asked him, "Do you like it?" The man eagerly answered "Yes." The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "It is for you then." Safwan said, "Only a prophet could behave as generously as you have. I believe that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Prophet."
Remember you can be easily the one who is need but by the Grace of Allah you are not in need, but in a position to help others who are in need. So reach out for them. We need each other for support and sharing. No one can stand alone. At times of calamities and difficulties, sometimes all people need is a caring hand. So, grab this opportunity to be that helping and caring hand.
May Allah remove our selfishness and stinginess, make us among the generous and means of bringing happiness to hearts of people. Ameen.
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum
Dear Friends
I pray that you are well.
Giving charity is a sign of a good Muslim. Charity is testament of true faith and devotion. A true believer gives a lot of charity. Charity is the best and most beloved thing to Allah. There is a special gate to Paradise exclusively for those who spend their wealth for the sake of Allah.
As Muslims we are to give charity day and night, secretly and publicly.
ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُم بِٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:274]
Those who spend their wealth [in Allah's way] by night and by day, secretly and publicly - they will have their reward with their Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.
قُل لِّعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ يُقِيمُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِىَ يَوْمٌ لَّا بَيْعٌ فِيهِ وَلَا خِلَـٰلٌ[Qur'an Ibrahim 14:31]
[O Muhammad], tell My servants who have believed to establish prayer and spend from what We have provided them, secretly and publicly, before a Day comes in which there will be no exchange, nor any friendships.
Generally charity is recommended to be given secretly, as it is more likely to be sincere and pure, no show off and avoid hurting the feelings of other people.
إِن تُبْدُوا۟ ٱلصَّدَقَـٰتِ فَنِعِمَّا هِىَ ۖ وَإِن تُخْفُوهَا وَتُؤْتُوهَا ٱلْفُقَرَآءَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ ۚ وَيُكَفِّرُ عَنكُم مِّن سَيِّـَٔاتِكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:271]
If you disclose your charitable expenditures, they are good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you, and He will remove from you some of your misdeeds [thereby]. And Allah, with what you do, is [fully] Acquainted.
Charity helps purify our soul and remove our greed.
فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ مَا ٱسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَٱسْمَعُوا۟ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ وَأَنفِقُوا۟ خَيْرًا لِّأَنفُسِكُمْ ۗ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ[Qur'an At-Taghabun 64:16]
So fear Allah as much as you are able and listen and obey and spend [in the way of Allah]; it is better for your selves. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.
Charity shouldn't be considered a burden to you but rather a gift from Allah that you are blessed to be able to share with others. What you give does not decrease your wealth. In fact, Allah promised to replace it for you, and Allah will bless the remaining wealth and make it useful for you.
قُلْ إِنَّ رَبِّى يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِهِۦ وَيَقْدِرُ لَهُۥ ۚ وَمَآ أَنفَقْتُم مِّن شَىْءٍ فَهُوَ يُخْلِفُهُۥ ۖ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ[Qur'an Saba 34:39]
Say, "Indeed, my Lord extends provision for whom He wills of His servants and restricts [it] for him. But whatever thing you spend [in His cause] - He will compensate it; and He is the best of providers."
The reward of charity is increased by manifold.
إِنَّ ٱلْمُصَّدِّقِينَ وَٱلْمُصَّدِّقَـٰتِ وَأَقْرَضُوا۟ ٱللَّـهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا يُضَـٰعَفُ لَهُمْ وَلَهُمْ أَجْرٌ كَرِيمٌ[Qur'an Hadid 57:18]
Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity and [they who] have loaned Allah a goodly loan - it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward.
مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّـهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنۢبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِى كُلِّ سُنۢبُلَةٍ مِّا۟ئَةُ حَبَّةٍ ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ يُضَـٰعِفُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّـهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:261]
The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.
Not everyone has wealth but that doesn't mean poor people cannot give charity, and enjoy the great reward.
Out of the mercy of Allah, charity is not just financial but also every act of goodness, physical or spiritual, tangible or less tangible things like knowledge, position, reputation, the well-being of those we love, the regard of those who can help us, etc.
You give something that you value greatly, something that you love. It is unselfishness that Allah demands, and there is no act of unselfishness, however small or intangible, but is well within the knowledge of God.
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَنفِقُوا۟ مِن طَيِّبَـٰتِ مَا كَسَبْتُمْ وَمِمَّآ أَخْرَجْنَا لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَلَا تَيَمَّمُوا۟ ٱلْخَبِيثَ مِنْهُ تُنفِقُونَ وَلَسْتُم بِـَٔاخِذِيهِ إِلَّآ أَن تُغْمِضُوا۟ فِيهِ ۚ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّـهَ غَنِىٌّ حَمِيدٌ[Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:267]
O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective therefrom, spending [from that] while you would not take it [yourself] except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.
لَن تَنَالُوا۟ ٱلْبِرَّ حَتَّىٰ تُنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ ۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِن شَىْءٍ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّـهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌ[Qur'an AleImran 3:92]
Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah] from that which you love. And whatever you spend - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.
Narrated by Abu Dharr, may Allah be pleased with him, who reported that Allah’s Messenger, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,
Your smile to your brother is a charity for you, and your enjoining piety and forbidding evil is a charity. Your guiding one who is lost on the land is a charity for you. Your leading the blind is a charity for you. Your removing from the thoroughfare a stone, a thorn or a bone is for you a charity. And, your filling with your bucket the bucket of your brother is a charity for you.[Tirmidhi]
The least form of charity is charity to yourself, by being a good person, doing good deeds and abstaining from doing bad deeds. It is a daily obligation in Islam that can be practiced by each and everyone.
Charity should be made a lifelong practice by each and everyone of us. Charity begins at home. Charity to relatives has double reward. Two relatives have priority--orphan and relative who has a hidden hostility towards you. This is a great way to soften one's hearts. Kindness begets kindness.
وَلَا تَسْتَوِى ٱلْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا ٱلسَّيِّئَةُ ۚ ٱدْفَعْ بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا ٱلَّذِى بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُۥ عَدَٰوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُۥ وَلِىٌّ حَمِيمٌ[Qur'an Fussilat 41:34]
And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.
Charity should also be given to friends, neighbors, students of knowledge, just cause and for matters of public interest.
Generosity is the key for most of the closed hearts.
In the conquest of Makkah, there was a man called "Safwan Ibn Umia". That man ran away after making all possible means in keeping the people of Islam and after making conspiracies to kill the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace. Later on, the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, forgave him and he came back asking the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, to give him the time of two months to think about Islam and the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "You can take four months, not just two". In spite of being a disbeliever, he accompanied the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, in the Hunain and Al Ta'if conquests. In Al Ta'if, while the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, was dividing the booties of the war, he noticed that man looking longingly to a vast land in which a large number of cattle were flocking. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, asked him, "Do you like it?" The man eagerly answered "Yes." The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "It is for you then." Safwan said, "Only a prophet could behave as generously as you have. I believe that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Prophet."
Remember you can be easily the one who is need but by the Grace of Allah you are not in need, but in a position to help others who are in need. So reach out for them. We need each other for support and sharing. No one can stand alone. At times of calamities and difficulties, sometimes all people need is a caring hand. So, grab this opportunity to be that helping and caring hand.
Whoever relieves a believer of some of the distress of this world, Allah will relieve him of some of the distress of the Day of Resurrection. Whoever makes things easier for one who is suffering hardship, Allah will make things easier for him in this world and in the Hereafter. Whoever conceals a Muslim’s faults, Allah will conceal his faults in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah will help a person so long as he helps his brother.[Muslim]
May Allah remove our selfishness and stinginess, make us among the generous and means of bringing happiness to hearts of people. Ameen.
Please don't forget us in your night prayers. Jazakallahu khairan.
And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam
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