The virtue of charity in Islam is immense, as it serves as a means to expiate sins, increase blessings in wealth and life, promote social solidarity, and alleviate the suffering of the needy. Charity is one of the acts of worship that directly impacts both the individual and society, fostering cooperation and compassion. It grants the giver great rewards in this world and the hereafter. Understanding the virtue of charity helps Muslims benefit from it in their daily lives and attain immense rewards from Allah.
The Concept and Importance of Charity in Islam
Charity in Islam is not merely financial assistance but an act imbued with meanings of mercy, kindness, and strengthening community bonds. The virtue of charity manifests as a significant act of worship that purifies wealth, increases blessings, and brings goodness.
The Concept of Charity:
Charity involves giving money, effort, or any form of help to the needy with the intention of drawing closer to Allah. It can be material, such as money or food, or intangible, like kind words or advice.
The Importance of Charity in Islam:
The reward for charity is among the greatest rewards a person can attain, as it elevates one’s status and atones for sins. The virtue of charity extends to its psychological and social impact on both the giver and the recipient. Numerous hadiths state that charity blesses wealth, increases sustenance, and wards off calamities, making it a beloved act at all times. The effect of charity on the giver includes a sense of comfort and satisfaction, increased sustenance, and protection from harm, making it one of the most cherished acts to Allah.
Worldly and Hereafter Benefits of Charity
The virtue of daily charity is evident in a person’s life directly. It is not just a charitable act but a great gateway to goodness that opens doors to sustenance and protection from evils. The virtue of charity is reflected in its worldly and hereafter benefits.
Worldly Benefits of Charity:
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Increased blessings in wealth and life, as it is mentioned that charity enhances sustenance and repels harm.
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Healing from illnesses and averting calamities, as stated in the hadith, “Treat your sick with charity.”
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Improving the living standards of the poor through financial or material support.
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Bringing happiness and psychological comfort to the giver, who feels satisfaction and tranquility.
Hereafter Benefits of Charity:
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The reward for charity is immense, as it elevates one’s status and leads to forgiveness of sins, as mentioned in the Quran.
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Charity is a means of salvation on the Day of Judgment, serving as a shade for the giver on that day, reflecting its virtue in achieving salvation.
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Multiplied rewards and blessings, as the giver is recorded with great good deeds that elevate their rank in Paradise.
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The effect of charity is directly felt by the giver, granting blessings in their life, opening doors to goodness, and making them beloved among people, as confirmed by real-life experiences.
Quranic Verses and Hadiths Encouraging Charity
Islam encourages charity through Quranic verses and prophetic hadiths that affirm its great reward and virtue, making it a means to protect oneself from evils and gain Allah’s pleasure. Charity purifies wealth and increases blessings, highlighting its virtue in this world and the hereafter.
Quranic Verses on Charity:
Several Quranic verses urge charity and highlight its great status with Allah, including:
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Allah says: “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.” (Al-Baqarah: 261). This verse illustrates how Allah multiplies the reward of the giver manifold.
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Allah says: “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.” (Al-Baqarah: 271). This verse emphasizes the virtue of giving charity openly or secretly, with hidden charity being better to avoid ostentation.
Hadiths on the Virtue of Charity:
Numerous prophetic hadiths highlight the virtue of charity, encouraging it and illustrating its profound impact on the Muslim, including:
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The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire.” (Reported by Tirmidhi). This indicates that charity erases sins and atones for mistakes.
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The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Wealth does not decrease due to charity.” (Reported by Muslim). This confirms that charity does not diminish wealth but increases and blesses it, reflecting its virtue in enhancing sustenance.
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The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The best charity is that given when you are healthy and stingy.” (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim). This shows that giving charity when one feels reluctant yields greater reward than giving during abundance.
These religious evidences affirm that charity is one of the best deeds that brings a person closer to Allah and secures blessings in their life, making daily charity a means to sustain blessings and ward off harm.
The Difference Between Charity and Zakat
Some confuse zakat with charity, though there are fundamental differences. Zakat is an obligatory duty, while charity is voluntary and takes various forms.
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Zakat is Obligatory, Charity is Voluntary: Zakat is mandatory for every Muslim who meets the minimum threshold, while charity can be given in any amount without a specific limit.
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Recipients of Zakat vs. Charity: Zakat is given to specific categories mentioned in the Quran, while charity can be given to any needy person.
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Timing of Zakat vs. Charity: Zakat is paid once a year upon reaching the threshold, while charity has no specific timing and can be given daily.
The Best Times for Charity and Its Impact on Society
The virtue of daily charity increases when given at specific times, such as Ramadan or during dire need, when its impact and reward are greater. Charity also contributes to spreading goodness in society and fostering compassion among its members.
Best Times for Charity:
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During Ramadan, when good deeds are multiplied, and the inclination toward goodness is greater.
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During crises and disasters to aid those affected and in need.
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On blessed days like Fridays and the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.
Impact of Charity on Society:
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Reducing poverty and promoting social solidarity.
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Improving the living standards of the poor and needy.
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Supporting charitable initiatives, such as the Tamkeen Charitable Society, which helps the needy improve their lives through specialized programs.