Allah The Exalted instructs His Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, to enjoin his Ummah (Muslim nation) to practise goodness and make it their intrinsic quality and moral characteristic. He Says (what means): {Take what is given freely, enjoin what is good} [Qur’an 7:199] The prominent scholar of Tafseer (exegesis) Ibn Sa‘di said:
“Saying {enjoin what is good} includes every good word, beautiful deed and perfect morals towards relatives and strangers. Be keen on goodness to people through teaching knowledge, enjoining good such as maintaining ties of kinship, dutifulness to parents, reconciling people, offering some useful advice or a right opinion, co-operation in righteousness and piety, and forbidding evil or guiding to obtain an interest, whether religious or worldly.” [Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan fi Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan]
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, informed us that: “Every act of goodness is a charity.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Thus, you are rewarded for every act of goodness you perform. Many texts came to show us different kinds of good deeds. For example, Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said:
“There is a (compulsory) charity to be given for every joint of the human body (as a sign of gratitude to Allah) every day the sun rises. To judge justly between two persons is regarded as a charity. To help a man concerning his riding animal by helping him to ride it or by lifting his luggage on to it is also regarded as a charity, and (saying) a good word is also a charity. Every step taken on one’s way to offer the obligatory prayer (in the mosque) is also a charity. To remove a harmful thing from the way is also a charity.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The good deeds mentioned by the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, include deeds with general benefit, such as reconciling people and helping a man concerning his riding animal by helping him to ride it by lifting his luggage onto it. Saying good words which includes greeting and responding to a person who sneezes, removing a harmful thing from the pathways, enjoining good, forbidding evil, aiding the needy, helping the deaf to hear and the weak sighted to see and guiding the blind are some other good deeds that come under the same category. Other acts whose benefit does not transcend the one who does them, include utterances of glorification of Allah The Almighty, utterances proclaiming His greatness, praise and professing His oneness, walking to prayers and praying the two Rak‘ahs (units of prayer) of Dhuha (mid-morning prayer). [Jaami‘ Al-‘Uloom wal Hikam]
Among the types of charity is what was mentioned in the Hadith of Ibn ‘Umar that a man came to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and said:
“‘O Messenger of Allah, who are the dearest people to Allah and the dearest deeds to Allah?’ The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, replied: ‘The dearest among people to Allah is the one who is most beneficial to people, and the dearest of deeds to Allah is to bring happiness to a fellow Muslim, or relieve him of distress, or pay off his debt or stave away hunger from him. It is better for me to walk with my Muslim brother in his time of need than to stay secluded in this mosque of Madinah for a month. Whoever holds back his anger, Allah will cover his faults and whoever suppresses his fury while being able to execute it, Allah will fill his heart with satisfaction on the Day of Judgment. Whoever walks with his brother in need until he establishes that for him, Allah will establish his feet firmly on the day when all feet would slip.” [At-Tabaraani] [Al-Albaani: Hasan]
It was narrated on the authority of Abu Jurayy al-Hujaymi, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: “I came to the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, we are a people living in the desert, teach us something with which Allah The Almighty and Exalted may benefit us?’ He said: ‘Do not hold in contempt any act of goodness even if it is pouring water from your cup into the container of one seeking water and even talking to your brother with a cheerful countenance.’” [Ahmad] [Al-Albaani: Saheeh]
Among other types of charity is paying the rights to their owners. Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “‘Six are the rights of a Muslim over another Muslim.’ It was said to him, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what are these?’ Thereupon he said: ‘When you meet him, offer him greetings; when he invites you to a feast accept it. When he seeks your counsel, give it to him, and when he sneezes and says: All praise is due to Allah, you say Yarhamuk Allah (may Allah show mercy to you); and when he falls ill visit him; and when he dies follow his bier.’” [Muslim]Al-Baraa’ ibn ‘Aazib, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, ordered them to do seven things (including): “To accept invitations, to help the oppressed and to fulfil the oaths.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Besides, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, added that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said on the same occasion: “Help the oppressed (sorrowful) and guide those who have lost their way.” [Abu Daawood]
Giving respite for the insolvent is another act of goodness. It was narrated on the authority of Sulaymaan ibn Buraydah, may Allah have mercy upon him, that his father said, I heard the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, saying:
“Whoever gives respite to an insolvent person, will receive a reward as if he has spent this amount in charity for every day he delays.” Then, I heard him saying: ‘Whoever gives respite to an insolvent person, will receive a reward as if he has spent double this amount in charity for every day he delays.’ He said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I heard you saying, ‘Whoever gives respite to an insolvent person, will receive a reward as if he has spent this amount in charity for every day he delays’ then, I heard you saying, ‘Whoever gives respite to an insolvent person, will receive a reward as if he has spent double this amount in charity for every day he delays?’ He said: ‘He will receive a reward as if he has spent this amount in charity for every day before the debt is due. When the debt is due, he will receive a reward as if he has spent double this amount in charity for every day he delays.’” [Ahmad]
Being kind to animals is an act of goodness. Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said:
“While a man was walking, he felt thirsty and went down a well and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, ‘This (dog) is suffering from extreme thirst like I was.’ So he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and gave water to the dog. Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him.’ The people asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?’ He replied: ‘Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate being.’” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Moreover, Allah The Almighty facilitates charity as He considers desisting from doing mischief to people a sort of charity that can be performed by man. Thus, if he does not do good, he should not do evil. This is supported by the Hadith (narration) of Abu Tharr, may Allah be pleased with him, who narrated,
“I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, which of the deeds is the best?’ He (the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) replied: ‘Belief in Allah and Jihaad (striving) in His cause.’ I again asked, ‘Who is the slave whose emancipation is the best?’ He replied: ‘One who is the most precious for his master and whose price is the highest.’ I said, ‘If I cannot afford to do it?’ He replied: ‘Help an artisan or make anything for the unskilled (labourer).’ I (Abu Tharr) said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, you see that I am helpless in doing some of these deeds.’ He replied: ‘Desist from doing mischief to people. That is your charity for yourself.’” [Muslim]
The righteous predecessors set the greatest examples in doing acts of goodness. Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq, may Allah be pleased with him, after assuming the caliphate, used to go everyday to a house in the outskirts of Madinah where an old blind woman resided. He would cook her food and clean her house. She did not know who he was. He used to compete with ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, in serving people. When ‘Umar assumed the caliphate, he used to acquaint himself with the conditions of the Muslims. He found a widow with her orphans crying because of hunger. He immediately went to Bayt Al-Maal (the Muslim treasury), carried some food on his back, cooked it for them and stayed with them till they ate and laughed.
Among the remarkable things mentioned about ‘Ali Zayn al-‘Aabideen, may Allah have mercy upon him, is that some of the people of Madinah did not know from where their means of sustenance came to them. When he died, they stopped getting the supplies that they used to get every night. While they were washing his body may Allah have mercy upon him they found marks on his back due to the heavy sacks he used to carry at night to the houses of widows. [Siyar A‘laam An-Nubalaa’]
‘Abdullaah ibn al-Mubaarak, may Allah have mercy upon him, used to spend his money on jurists. He used to take upon himself the costs of Haj for anyone who wanted to perform Haj from among the people of Marv. He also used to pay people’s debts provided that the creditor did not inform the debtor of his name. [Siyar A‘laam An-Nubalaa’]
We also believe that Allah The Almighty rewards any doer of good even if he did not intend to draw closer to Allah The Almighty. Al-Hasan, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked, “If a man asks another for money while he hates him, so he gives it to him only out of shyness, will he be rewarded?” He said: “This is a good deed and good deeds are rewarded.” Moreover, Ibn Seereen, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked about a man who follows a funeral not out of hope for the reward of Allah The Almighty but only out of shyness of the family of the deceased, will he receive a reward? He replied, “One reward? Rather, he will receive two rewards, one for praying on his Muslim brother and the other for maintaining ties with the family of the deceased.” [Jaami’ Al- ‘Uloom wal Hikam]
Therefore, let us hasten to do good deeds. ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “Do not abandon good deeds because of the ingratitude of the ungrateful. Perhaps, the thankful would thank you as many times as the ingratitude of the ungrateful.” Al-Maawardi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
“Whoever is capable of performing a good deed, should hasten to it out of fear of missing it or inability to perform it. He should know that it is among the opportunities of his lifetime and the crowning achievement of his abilities. He should not be reluctant out of confidence regarding his ability to do it. There have been many people who were confident of their abilities, then they lost them and regretted. Many depended upon a status that was gone, leaving nothing but shame. al-‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘An act of goodness is not complete except with three qualities; hastening to it, considering it small and hiding it. If you hasten to it, you make it faultless. If you consider it small, you increase its value and if you hide it, you make it perfect.’”
Do not hesitate to help your fellow Muslim even if this affects your time and effort. Trust that your Creator will reward you with goodness, satisfy your needs, alleviate your worries, remove your distress and bless your sustenance. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Whoever fulfills the needs of his brother, Allah will fulfil his needs.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “Whoever seeks to recover the right of his Muslim brother will be rewarded a charity for every step.”
Do not be reluctant to alleviate the worry of a person, offer help to rescue him, pay a debt on his behalf, lend him money, protect his chastity, keep him company, secretly supplicate for him and offer every help in righteousness or support in goodness. All of these are deeds by which the love of Allah The Almighty is attained and His pleasure is won. Let us remember the Hadith in which the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “By the One in whose hand is my soul, there is no slave performing an act with the intent of attaining the reward of Allah except that I will hold his hand on the Day of Judgment to enter Paradise.” [Ibn Hibbaan] [Al-Albaani: Hasan]
We ask Allah The Almighty to enable us to benefit others, to make us keys to goodness, locks to evil and to use us in obeying Him.
Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/
The virtues of charity
Charity has a great significance in Islam; it is one of the clearest indications and most truthful signs of the sincerity of one’s faith, as souls were created to love money and strive to save it. If someone spends his money and contradicts his instinct, then this is a proof that he has a good faith and a sound belief.
Regarding this, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam (may Allah exalt his mention), said: “…and charity is a proof” ; which means it is proof of sound faith – that is, if he intends it for the sake of Allah, The Almighty, and not for showing off or for enhancing one’s reputation.
This is why many texts show the virtues of charity and spending for the sake of Allah, The Almighty, and urge the Muslim to give charity, seeking the reward from Allah, The Almighty.
One of the specific characteristics of the righteous servants of Allah, The Almighty, is spending on the poor and the needy; Allah, The Almighty, Says (what means): {Indeed, they were before that doers of good. They used to sleep but little of the night. And in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness. And from their properties was [given] the right of the [needy] petitioner and the deprived.} [Qur’an 51:16-19]
Allah, The Exalted, has promised – and He is the Generous Who does not break His promise – to compensate those who spend for His Sake. Allah Says (what means): {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].} [Qur’an 34:39]
Allah also promised to multiply their rewards many times; Allah, The Almighty, Says (What means): {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.} [Qur’an 2:245]
Giving money is one of the types of Jihaad (striving in the cause of Allah, The Almighty); rather, Jihaad with one’s own money precedes Jihaad with one’s own self in all the verses that mentioned Jihaad except in one place in the Qur’an.
Also, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Fight the polytheists with your wealth, yourselves, and your tongues.” [Abu Daawood]
There are many Ahadith (narrations) in the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) which encourage giving charity and clarify that its reward is a comfort to the eye of the believers and a delight to their hearts. These Ahadith mention that charity is one of the best acts of worship that is beloved to Allah, The Almighty.
Ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “The most beloved acts of worship to Allah are: happiness that you bring to a believer’s heart, relieving his distress, paying off his debt or driving away his hunger.” [Al-Bayhaqi] [Al-Albaani: Hasan]
Charity elevates its giver to the highest rank; the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “This worldly life is for four categories of people: a man to whom Allah has given wealth and knowledge, so he fears his Lord, maintains ties of kinship with this money, and he knows the rights of Allah regarding it, this one is truly in the best rank ...” [At-Tirmithi]
Charity protects its giver from calamities and misfortunes, and saves him from distress and hardship; the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Performing good deeds protects from bad ends and calamities, and those who act righteously in this world will be the good people in the Hereafter.” [Al-Haakim] [Al-Albaani: Saheeh]
Consider this Hadith which signifies the multiplied reward of charity: The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “No one gives charity out of his honest earning –and Allah accepts only what is from lawful earning – but The Most Merciful accepts it with His right hand even if it is only a date, and then fosters it as one of you fosters a colt or a young she-camel, till it becomes like a mountain or even greater.” [Muslim]
Charity extinguishes sins, and expiates evil deeds; the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire.” [At-Tirmithi]
It is one of the greatest causes for attaining blessings in money, the increase of provision, and compensation from Allah, The Almighty, with what is best. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Allah The Almighty Says, ‘O son of Adam, spend and I will spend on you.” [Muslim]
It is also protection from the punishment of Allah; the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Protect yourselves from the Fire, by giving in charity even half a date.” [Al-Bukhari]
Spending in charity is an indication of the sincerity of one’s faith, strength of certitude, and having good expectations from the Lord of the Worlds. Besides, it has many other virtues which make the believer look forward to the reward of Allah, The Almighty, and overlook the whispers of the devil who frightens him with poverty, and beautifies for him stinginess and miserliness. Allah, The Almighty, Says (what means): {Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing} [Qur’an 2:268]
We ask Allah, The Almighty, to enable us to spend for His Sake, and to protect us from being stingy, for He is able to do all things.
Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/
The excellence of generosity
Generosity is a virtuous trait that every Muslim should strive to attain. As for the believer who closely adheres to the teachings of Islam, kindness and giving from what he has become part of his good character.
Generosity is the opposite of stinginess, as stinginess is a disease of the heart. The Muslim should avoid this bad quality, for it is a source of corruption. The Muslim’s faith and righteous deeds purify his heart, so his hands should be outstretched, giving to those who are in need.
A generous man will share what he has with others, thinking about other people as he thinks of himself. He benefits by helping others and solving their problems. He makes people happy and prevents them from doing wrong, which is often a direct result of poverty. This is a great service to society, and there are some people who spend their life in this service, establishing valuable foundations which remain after them such as hospitals, libraries, etc.
Whatever is given for Allah’s Sake will never decrease one’s wealth in the slightest; rather, it will bless, purify and increase it, as the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Charity does not decrease wealth.” [Muslim]
Whatever is given in charity will be recorded with The One Who has full knowledge of all things. Allah, Almighty, Says (what means): “...And whatever you spend of good – it will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.” [Qur’an 2: 272]
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, directed the Muslims’ attention to this higher understanding of generosity when he asked ‘Aaishah, radhiallah ‘anha, what was left of the sheep they had slaughtered. She told him: “Nothing but the shoulder.” He said, “Everything except the shoulder is saved.” [At-Tirmithi]
Whatever is spent will return multiplied and Allah will increase it in this world and in the next. Allah Says (what means): “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.” [Qur’an 2: 261]
And (what means): “…But whatever thing you spend [in His cause] – He will compensate it; and He is the best of providers.” [Qur’an 34: 39]
Since noble characteristics are acquired in different ways, the Muslim works to develop virtuous traits according to Islamic guidelines. Allah Says (what means): “And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, ‘My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous.’” [Qur’an 63: 10]
Generosity is not expressed exclusively with wealth and money, but also with our time, good deeds, actions and kindness to all people. Allah Says (what means): “Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah] from that which you love...” [Qur’an 3: 92]
Allah, Almighty Says (what means): “Indeed, mankind was created anxious: when evil touches him, impatient, and when good touches him, withholding [of it]...” [Qur’an 70: 19-21]
The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Protect yourself from the Hell-fire even by giving a piece of a date as charity.’’ [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] This narration shows that a person can be generous and win the pleasure of Allah even by spending a small quantity of wealth.
Jaabir reported that the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, never said “no” to anyone who asked him for something. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
This narration illustrates the generosity of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. If somebody asked him for something, he would never say “no” to him. He would also, on occasions, resort to borrowing to meet the want of a needy person.
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Everyday two angels descend and one of them says, ‘O Allah! Compensate (more) to the person who gives (in charity)’; while the other one says, ‘O Allah! Destroy the one who withholds (charity, etc).’” [Al-Bukhari]
The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, also said: “Allah, the Exalted, Says, ‘Spend, O son of Aadam, you will also be spent upon.’” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]
According to the narration, one who spends in the way of Allah, will be duly paid. It means that Allah will enhance the provision of such a man and grant him the best recompense.
In another narration, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “There are forty kinds of virtue, the highest of which is to gift a (milch) she-goat. He who practises any of these virtues, expecting its reward (from Allah) and believing in the truth of the promise made for it, will enter Jannah (Paradise).’’ [Al-Bukhari]
A person giving charity should not render it vain by reminders of his generosity or by injury. The giver should be cheerful when asked and when giving. He should spend without being stingy or irresponsible.
Whether giving in abundance from his riches, or a small amount of his meagre means, one should give with complete satisfaction, a cheerful face and nice speech.
The Muslim who truly understands the teachings of his religion never looks down upon any charity, no matter how small it may be. He strives to do as much as he is able, while he is firm in his conviction that Allah will reward his good deeds, no matter how small, as Allah Says (what means): “On no soul does Allah place a burden greater that it can bear …” [Qur’an 2: 286]
He also responds to the words of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam: “Protect yourselves from the Fire even if it is with half a date.” [Al-Bukhari]
Islam teaches the Muslims to be constructive, beneficial members of their societies; always helping those who are deprived and destitute to the best of their abilities. Every good deed is described as an act of charity, as the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Every Muslim must give charity.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, what if he cannot do that?” He said, “Then let him help one who is in desperate need.” He said, “Then let him do good, and refrain from doing evil, and that will be an act of charity on his part.” [Al-Bukhari & Muslim]
Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/
Makkah
