7) Sadaqah (Charity): Apart from paying zakah, which is obligatory, one should also pay optional sadaqah in Ramadan according to his best ability. It is reported in authentic ahadith that the Holy Prophet (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) used to pay special attention in Ramadan to look after the poor and to help them financially. Therefore, a Muslim should give as much money in sadaqah as he can afford.

Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) says:

"And whatsoever you spend of anything (in Allah's Cause), He will replace it.'' (34:39)

"And whatever you spend in good, it is for yourselves, when you spend not except seeking Allah's Countenance. And whatever you spend in good, it will be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.'' (2:272)

"And whatever you spend in good, surely Allah knows it well.'' (2:273)

“O you who believe! Spend of that with which We have provided for you, before a Day comes when there will be no bargaining, nor friendship, nor intercession. And it is the disbelievers who are the Zaalimoon (wrongdoers).” (2:254)

"Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah and then do not follow up what they have spent with reminders [of it] or [other] injury will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve." (2:262)

"O you who believe! Do not render in vain your Sadaqah (charity) by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men, and he does not believe in Allah, nor in the Last Day. His likeness is the likeness of a smooth rock on which is a little dust; on it falls heavy rain which leaves it bare. They are not able to do anything with what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people." (2:264)

"And the likeness of those who spend their wealth seeking Allah's Pleasure while they in their ownselves are sure and certain that Allah will reward them (for their spending in His Cause), is the likeness of a garden on a height; heavy rain falls on it and it doubles its yield of harvest. And if it does not receive heavy rain, light rain suffices it. And Allah is All-Seer of (knows well) what you do." (2:265)

“O you who believe! Spend of the good things which you have (legally) earned, and of that which We have produced from the earth for you, and do not aim at that which is bad to spend from it, (though) you would not accept it save if you close your eyes and tolerate therein. And know that Allaah is Rich (Free of all needs), and Worthy of all praise.” (2:267)

“Believe in Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad), and spend of that whereof He has made you trustees. And such of you as believe and spend (in Allaah’s way), theirs will be a great reward.” (57:7)

The Excellence of Spending out Charity during Ramadaan

Ibn `Abbas (رضي الله عنهما) reported: The Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) was the most generous of the men; and he was the most generous during the month of Ramadan when Hadhrat Jibreel (عليه السلام) visited him every night and recited the Qur'an to him. During this period, the generosity of Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) waxed faster than the rain bearing wind.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

This Hadith induces us to do two good things frequently and with full preparation in the month of Ramadan. First, benevolence and generosity so that people get maximum time for worship and reduce their mundane affairs during this month. Second, recitation of the Qur'an and Mudarsah, (reading and hearing the Qur'an from one another) as is done by two Huffaadh in this manner. The reason for the stress on the Qur'an is that the Qur'an and the month of Ramadan are closely linked with each other. The Qur'an was revealed in this month.

Umm ul Mu'mineen Hadhrat `Aa'ishah (رضي الله عنها) reported: When the last ten nights (of Ramadan) would begin, the Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) would keep awake at night (for prayer and devotion), awaken his family and prepare himself to be more diligent in worship.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

The entire month of Ramadan is a spring season for virtues, worship and obedience of Allah, but its last ten days are the peak of this season of worship. Therefore, one must strive hard in the last ten days and nights of this month to follow the practice of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم), to seek the Pleasure of Allah and to attain the benefits of Lailat-ul-Qadr, which occurs during this period. The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) used to make special arrangement for observing I`tikaf, and we must also follow this practice of his.

Virtues Of Sadaqah (Charity)

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) said: The Messenger of Allaah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “Whoever gives charity equal to a date from good (halal) earnings – for Allaah does not accept anything but that which is good – Allaah will take it in His right hand and tend it for the one who gave it as any one of you tends his foal, until it becomes like a mountain.” [al-Bukhaari, 1344; Muslim, 1014]

`Adi bin Hatim (رضي الله عنه) reported: Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said, "Protect yourself from Hell-fire even by giving a piece of date as charity.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

According to one's resource capacity, one can win the pleasure of Allah even by spending a small quantity of wealth in His way.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allaah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “Allaah (سبحانه وتعالى) said: ‘Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.’” [al-Bukhaari, 5073; Muslim, 993]

Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) reported: Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) 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-Bukhaari, 1374; Muslim, 1010]

`Abdullah ibn `Amr ibn Al-`as (رضي الله عنه) reported: A man asked Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم), "Which act in Islam is the best?'' He (صلي الله عليه وسلم) replied, "To feed (the poor and the needy) and to greet those whom you know and those you do not know.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

`Abdullah bin `Amr bin Al-`as (رضي الله عنه) reported: the Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) 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 on the verity of the promise made for it, will enter Jannah.'' [Al-Bukhari]

Abu Umamah (رضي الله عنه) reported: Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said, "O son of Adam, if you spend the surplus, it will be better for you; and if you retain it, it will be bad for you. You will not be reprimanded for keeping what is enough for your need. Begin with those who are your dependents, and the upper hand (i.e., the one that spends in the way of Allah) is better than the lower hand (i.e., the one that receives charity.)'' [Muslim]

Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) reported: Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said, "Wealth is not diminished by giving (in charity). Allah augments the honour of one who forgives; and one who displays humbleness towards another seeking the pleasure of Allah, Allah exalts him in ranks.'' [Muslim]

Abu Kabshah `Amr bin Sa`d (رضي الله عنه) reported: Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said, "I swear by Allah for three (qualities) which I am going to tell you about. Remember them well:

(1) The wealth of a man will not diminish by Sadaqah (charity).

(2) Allah augments the honour of a man who endures an oppression patiently.

(3) He who opens a gate of begging, Allah opens a gate of poverty (or he said a word similar to it).''

He (صلي الله عليه وسلم) also said, "Remember well what I am going to tell you: The world is for four kinds of people. (1) One upon whom Allah has bestowed wealth and knowledge and so he fears his Rubb in respect to them, joins the ties of blood relationship and acknowledges the Rights of Allah on him (and fulfills them); this type will have the best position (in Jannah). (2) One upon whom Allah has conferred knowledge but no wealth, and he is sincere in his intention and says: `Had I possessed wealth, I would have acted like so-and-so.' If that is his intention, his reward is the same as that of the other. (3) One whom Allah has given wealth but no knowledge and he squanders his wealth ignorantly, does not fear Allah in respect to it, does not discharge the obligations of kinship and does not acknowledge the Rights of Allah. Such a person will be in the worst position (in the Hereafter). (4) One upon whom Allah has bestowed neither wealth nor knowledge and he says: `Had I possessed wealth, I would have acted like so-and-so (i.e., he would squander his wealth).' If this is his intention, both will have equal sin.'' [At-Tirmidhi]

Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) saying: "The case of a miserly man and a generous man who gives in charity is similar to that of two persons who are clad in armour from their breasts up to their collar bones. When the generous man gives in charity, his armour expands so much as to cover his fingertips and toes. When the miser intends to spend something the armour contracts and every ring of it sticks to the place where it is (sinks into his flesh). He tries to loosen it but it does not expand.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) reported: The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said, "While a man was walking through a barren land, he heard a voice coming out of a cloud saying: `Irrigate the garden of so-and-so.' Thereupon the cloud drifted in a certain direction and discharged its water over a rocky plain. The streamlets flowed into a channel. This man followed the channel until it reached a garden and he saw the owner of the garden standing in its center, working with his spade spreading the water (changing the course of the water). He asked him: "O slave of Allah, what is your name?'' He told his name, which was the same that he heard from the cloud. The owner of the garden then asked him: "O slave of Allah, why did you ask my name?'' He replied: "I heard a voice from a cloud which poured down this water saying: `Irrigate the garden of so-and-so.' I would like to know what do you do with it.'' He said: "Now that you asked me, I will tell you. I estimate the produce of the garden and distribute one-third of it in charity, I spend one-third on myself and my family and invest one-third back into the garden.'' [Muslim]

Abu Dharr (رضي الله عنه) reported: The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said, "In the morning, charity is due on every joint bone of the body of everyone of you. Every utterance of Allah's Glorification (i.e., saying Subhan Allah) is an act of charity, and every utterance of His Praise (i.e., saying Al-hamdu lillah) is an act of charity and every utterance of declaration of His Greatness (i.e., saying La ilaha illAllah) is an act of charity; and enjoining M`aruf (good) is an act of charity, and forbidding Munkar (evil) is an act of charity, and two Rak`ah Duha prayers which one performs in the forenoon is equal to all this (in reward).'' [Muslim]

Asma' bint Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنها) reported: Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said to me, "Do not hoard; otherwise, Allah will withhold from you.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

If we accumulate wealth in a miserly fashion and avoid spending it in the way of Allah (سبحانه وتعالى), He will also restrain the flow of His bounty to us.

Abu Dharr (رضي الله عنه) reported that some of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said to him: "O Messenger of Allah, the rich have taken away all the rewards. They observe the prayer as we do, and they keep the fasts as we do, and they give sadaqah (charity) from their surplus riches." Upon this he (the Prophet - صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: "Has Allah not prescribed for you (a course) by following which you can also do sadaqah? Verily in every tasbih (i.e. saying Subhanallah) there is a sadaqah, every takbir (i.e. saying Allahu Akbar) is a sadaqah, every tahmid (i.e. saying Alhamdulillah) is a sadaqah, every tahlil (i.e. saying Lailaha illallah) is a sadaqah, enjoining of good is a sadaqah, forbidding of evil is a sadaqah, and having sexual intercourse with your wife is a sadaqah." They (the Companions - رضي الله معهم) said: "O Messenger of Allah, is there reward for him who satisfies his sexual passion among us?" He (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: "Tell me, if he were to devote it to something forbidden, would it not be a sin on his part? Similarly, if he were to devote it to something lawful, he should have a reward." [Muslim]

Ibn Mas`ud (رضي الله عنه) reported: The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said, "Envy is permitted only in two cases: A man whom Allah gives wealth, and he disposes of it rightfully, and a man to whom Allah gives knowledge which he applies and teaches it.'' [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Envy in the Hadith means "Ghibtah'' the equivalent of which does not exist in English language. What it means is that you wish to enjoy things which others have, such as wealth and knowledge, without wishing that they should be deprived of them to your exclusive benefit. You admire Allah's Blessing over a person and wish to be favoured with it too.

The prohibited form of envy is known as 'Hasad.' It means resentment at the condition of a man enjoying some Divine favour, and to wish it to be finished. Hasad is a corrosive disease of moral nature which snatches away man's peace of mind. It is forbidden because it wipes out one's good deeds. It is mentioned in a hadith: Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه) said: The Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said, "Beware of envy because envy consumes (destroys) the virtues just as the fire consumes the firewood,'' or he said "grass.''
[Abu Dawud]

Jabir (رضي الله عنه) reported: Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) never said `no' to anyone who asked him for anything.
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

This Hadith illustrates the refined morals, sublimity of soul and the generosity of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم). Had somebody asked him of something, provided it was in his possession, he would never say `no' to him.

What one has given in charity will by no means be wasted, for he will doubtlessly find its reward with Allah on the Day of Resurrection (provided his intention was purely for the sake of Allah).

There are six conditions governing the acceptance, in the sight of Allah, of spending in His way. These are:

1. Spend from halaal (lawful) belongings.
2. Spend according to the prescribed practice (Sunnah).
3. Spend in a proper place.
4. Do not remind of the favour after having done it.
5. Do nothing to insult the reciever.
6. Spend with sincerity of intention, exclusively for the good
pleasure of Allah Almighty, never doing it for the sake of name
and fame. [Ma'ariful Qur'an]

"The deeds are considered by the intentions, and a person will get the reward according to his intention."

In every righteous deed, one should seek only the Pleasure of Allah; otherwise, it will not be accepted by Allah.

Charity to non-Muslims

It is permissible to give charity – other than the obligatory charity (zakaah etc.) – to poor non-Muslims, especially if they are relatives, on condition that they do not belong to people who are in a state of war against us and have not committed acts of aggression that would preclude our treating them kindly.

Imaam al-Shaafi'ee (رحمه الله) said: “There is nothing wrong with giving charity to a non-muslim as a nafl (supererogatory) action, but he has no right to charity from the obligatory (zakaah). Allaah praised people who, as He says ‘… they give food, inspite of their love for it (or for the love of Him), to the Miskeen (the poor), the orphan, and the captive’ [al-Insaan 76:8].” (Kitaab al-Umm)

Giving charity to poor Muslims is preferable and more befitting, because spending on them helps them to obey Allaah, and it helps them in both their worldly and spiritual affairs. This helps to strengthen the bonds among Muslims, especially nowadays when the poor among the Muslims far outnumber the rich. And Allaah is the One Whose help we seek.

However, 'Zakaah' cannot be given to non-Muslims.

There is scholarly consensus (ijma`) that zakat cannot be given to non-Muslims, as mentioned by Ibn al-Mundhir, Kasani, Ibn Qudama, Buhuti, and others.

Muwaffaq Ibn Qudama, a great Hanbali Imam, says in his Mughni:
"We do not know of any difference of opinion among the people of knowledge (ahl al-`ilm) that zakat on wealth cannot be given to a kaafir." Ibn al-Mundhir said, "There is consensus of all those whose positions we know from the people of knowledge that a non-Muslim (dhimmi) cannot be given any zakat."

This is because the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said to Mu`adh (رضي الله عنه) [reported by Bukhari 1365, Muslim 26-27, and elsewhere], "Tell them that they are obliged to give a charity (i.e. zakat) that is taken from their rich and given to their poor."

The Prophet Muhammad (صلي الله عليه وسلم) specified the Muslims as giving it to their poor, just as he specified that it is only obligatory on their rich. [Ibn Qudama, al-Mughni, 2.1774] See: Zakat cannot be given to non-Muslims

» Posted by Seifeddine-M on 9th August 2011

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