Islam is the religion which stresses on the universal brotherhood among its believers. This brotherhood encourages social justice, equality, compassion, unity, and sharing. In a world where the wealth is not equally distributed, Islam inspirits charity to help increase equity among the people.
An interesting point is that charity is not only about helping someone financially; any help or even a kind word is counted as charity in Islam. Kindness is loved by Allah Subhana Wa Ta’ala and He wants His creations to be kind to each other.
The Prophet (P.B.U.H) said,
“Charity is obligatory every day on every joint of a human being. If one helps a person in matters concerning his riding animal by helping him to ride it or by lifting his luggage on to it, all this will be regarded charity. A good word, and every step one takes to offer the compulsory congregational prayer, is regarded as charity; and guiding somebody on the road is regarded as charity.” [Bukhari]
The receiver of the charity is benefactor but did you know the person giving it is also rewarded with benefits? Here are a few of the rewards for a person who gives charity with a pure intention:
- Charity does not reduce wealth, rather increases it: Although when we take out some amount from our wealth, we seem to have a drop in our riches. But, in the long run, the exact opposite is true. A person who gives charity will receive wealth in unexpected ways and is likely to experience an increase in his overall wealth.
“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, 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.” [Qur’an, 2:261]
- Charity expiates sins: Human beings make mistakes and fall for sins, sometimes knowingly while at other times without realization. Charity is an act which helps us atone for our sins.
Allah loves His creations and encourages unity, compassion, and equity among them, hence, He made charity a way to get one’s sins forgiven.
“Charity extinguishes the sins like water extinguishes a fire.” [Ibn Majah]
Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said,
“Protect yourself from hell-fire even by giving a piece of date as charity.” [Bokhari and Muslim]
- Charity helps against hardships: This life is a test and we all are bound to be tested with hardships. But, no matter what, we do not like these tough times. To lower the magnitude of these, Allah has given us a solution: charity. Charity helps alleviate them.
Prophet of Allah (P.B.U.H) said:
“Give charity without a delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.” [Tirmidhi]
It is not only the hardships of this world that the charity protects us from but also, on the Day of Judgment, when we will be made to answer for our actions, charity will help us. In shaa Allah.
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