Charity - The Virtue of Charity

Allah has divided His creation into the rich and the poor, and their interests are fulfilled only by satiating the need of the poor. Allah has obligated giving to the poor that which fulfils their needs from the surplus wealth of the rich.

A generous believer is close to Allah and His creation, and his people. He is close to Paradise and far from the hellfire. On the other hand, a miser is distant from Allah’s creation and distant from Paradise, while being close to the hellfire. The generosity of a person endears him to his enemies but his miserliness makes him hated to even his own children.

The most beloved of creation to Allah is the one who embodies His qualities that He has not reserved for Himself. Allah is generous and loves the generous among His servants, knowledgeable and loves the knowledgeable, and merciful and loves the merciful. Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy on him, said, "The generous person who gives in charity is given by the Generous One (Allah) what others are not given; it is a reward of the same kind as his action."1

Among the best deeds of a Muslim is giving charity to the poor, those in need, and those in distress. Umar ibn Al-Khattab said, “I have been told that deeds show off to one another, so charity says: I am the best of you”.2

The guidance of the Prophet, peace be upon him, encourages kindness,charity, and striving to relieve the suffering of Muslims.

The best charity is one that meets the needs of the recipient and continues to benefit them.

The miser is prevented from doing good and restricted from acts of righteousness. They suffer from a constricted chest, a small-mindedness, tiny joy, and a multitude of worries, grief, and sadness. Their needs are seldom fulfilled, and they are hardly supported in what they seek.

So be charitable in your day, even if it is with a small amount. The best charity is the effort of the one who has little. Every morning, two angels descend, and one of them says, "O Allah, give him who spends something in place of it;” the other says, “O Allah, give him who withholds destruction.” (Agreed upon)1

Charity is a loan that is returned multiplied. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "Sadaqah (charity) does not decrease wealth." (Muslim)2. And Allah, glorified be He, says;

مَّن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يُقْرِضُ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًۭا فَيُضَـٰعِفَهُۥ لَهُۥٓ أَضْعَافًۭا كَثِيرَةًۭ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَقْبِضُ وَيَبْصُۜطُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ ٢٤٥

"Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? And it is Allah who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him, you will be returned

( Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayat  245)

Therefore, be generous to the poor with an open heart and a cheerful demeanor, having good expectations in Allah's multiplication of rewards and wealth.

1 "Al-Wabil As-Sayyib" (p. 36).

2 Ibn Khuzaymah narrated in his Sahih, in the book of Zakat, in the chapter on the virtue of charity over other deeds (95/4), hadith number (2433).

1 It is narrated by Al-Bukhari in the Book of Zakat, in the chapter on the saying of Allah: "But as for he who gives and fears Allah" (O Allah, give the spender a replacement for what he has spent), hadith number (1442). And Muslim, in the Book of Zakat, in the chapter on the spender and the withholder, hadith number (1010), from the narration of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him).

2 The Book of Goodness, Maintaining Family Ties, and Etiquette, in the chapter on the recommendation of forgiveness and humility, hadith number (2588), from the narration of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him).