Charity - The Rewards of Charity
That is why the Prophet, peace be upon him, said in his sermon about women on the day of Eid: "Give alms, you women folk, for I have been shown that you will be the majority of the inhabitants of hell.” (Agreed upon)1
In Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim, it is narrated: "Protect yourselves from Hell-fire even with half a date"2
"Protect yourselves from the Fire, even with half a date."
Charity extinguishes the misfortune of sin. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said to Mu'adh3, may Allah be pleased with him: "Shall I not guide you to the gateways of what is good? Fasting is a protection, and charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire,"
(Tirmidhi)4
Charity guards against evil, wards off calamities, preserve wealth, brings sustenance, brings joy to the heart, instills trust in Allah and good expectations of Him, purifies the soul, nurtures it, endears the servant to his Lord, covers up all flaws, increases life span, protects from the torment of the grave, provides shade on the Day of Judgment, intercedes with Allah the Exalted, eases the hardships of this world and the Hereafter, and invites one to all forms of righteousness. Therefore, do not be reluctant to give charity.
It is a protection between the servant and the Hellfire, and the sincere one who is engaged in it will seek shade by it on the Day of Judgment and will be called from the gate of charity. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "Those who give sadaqah will be invited to enter by the gate of sadaqah”.1
Charity lifts afflictions and relieves sorrows with the permission of Allah. Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "Charity and acts of kindness have a remarkable effect in repelling afflictions, warding off the evil eye, and the evil of envy. This has been experienced by nations in the past and present, and it suffices as evidence. The eye, envy, and harm can hardly affect a benefactor who gives charity. Even if they do affect him, he is treated with kindness, support, and assistance, and he will have a praiseworthy outcome. So, the benevolent one who gives charity is protected by his kindness and charity, has a defense and a strong fortress from Allah."2
Ibn al-Qayyim also said: "Indeed, charity has a remarkable effect in repelling various types of afflictions, even if it is given by a sinner, an oppressor, or even a disbeliever. Indeed, Allah Almighty repels various types of afflictions through it. This is a known matter among people, both the specific and the general, and it is widespread throughout the entire earth because they have witnessed it."1
Whenever a person gives charity sincerely, their heart expands and their chest is relieved by it. Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said: "Even if charity had only this benefit alone, the slave should be befitting by it to increase and hasten towards it. Allah Almighty says:
As for those who had settled in the city and ˹embraced˺ the faith before ˹the arrival of˺ the emigrants, they love whoever immigrates to them, never having a desire in their hearts for whatever ˹of the gains˺ is given to the emigrants. They give the immigrants preference over themselves even though they may be in need. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be successful.”
(Surah Al-Hashr : Ayat 9)"2
References
1 Narrated by Al-Bukhari in the Book of Zakat, Chapter on Zakat for Relatives, Hadith No. 1462, and by Muslim in the Book of Zakat, Chapter on the Virtue of Spending and Giving Charity to Relatives, Spouse, Children, and Parents, Even if They Are Polytheists, Hadith No. 1000, from the narration of Zainab, the wife of Abdullah bin Mas'ud, may Allah have mercy on them
2 Narrated by Al-Bukhari in the Book of Zakat, Chapter on Beware of the Fire, Even with Half a Date and a Small Amount of Charity, Hadith No. 1417, and by Muslim in the Book of Zakat, Chapter on Encouragement to Give Charity, Even with Half a Date or a Good Word, as It Acts as a Barrier from the Fire, Hadith No. 1016, from the narration of Adi bin Hatim, may Allah have mercy on him
3 He is Abu AbdurRahman Mu'adh ibn Jabal ibn Amr Al-Khazraji Al-Ansari, one of the seventy Companions who witnessed the Treaty of Al-Aqaba from the Ansar. He passed away in the year 18 AH. Refer to Al-Isti'ab fi Ma'rifat Al-Ashab (1402/3).
4 Book of Faith, Chapter on the Prohibition of Praying During Prohibited Times, Hadith No.
2616.
1 Narrated by Al-Bukhari in the Book of Fasting, Chapter on the Gate of Paradise for the Fasting People, Hadith No. 3666, and by Muslim in the Book of Zakat, Chapter on Collecting Charity and Acts of Kindness, Hadith No. 1027, from the narration of Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him.
2 Bada'i al-Fawa'id (242/2)
1 Al-Wabil al-Sayyib (p. 31)
2 Al-Wabil al-Sayyib (p. 33)
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