Virtues of Sadaqah (Charity)

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#16 [Permalink] Posted on 21st August 2014 09:56

(3) Anyone who recognises that wealth is a bounty and blessing that Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has decreed to bestow upon some and not upon others will realise that wealth is a true trial and test. He will realise that it comes from Allaah سبحانه وتعالى and, therefore, he should try his best to use it in a way that is a form of thanksgiving, gratitude and worship of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى . In the Qur'an, in a beautiful fashion, Allaah سبحانه وتعالى reminds the believer of this truth. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى says,

"And give them [your slaves seeking freedom] something out of the wealth which Allaah has bestowed upon you." [Sooratun-Noor, 24:33]

Allaah سبحانه وتعالى also says,

"Believe in Allah and His Messenger and spend out of that in which He has made you successors. For those who have believed among you and spent, there will be a great reward." [Sooratul-Hadeed, 57:7]

In reality, the wealth that Allaah سبحانه وتعالى gives a person is a trial while the poverty that a person experiences is also a trial. Sometimes, the test of "having" is much more difficult than the test of "not having." When one is a have-not, one may not have many options available to him save to remain patient and put one's hope in Allaah سبحانه وتعالى to make thing better. However, when one has wealth, many doors of disobedience to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى can be opened for him. Hence, this can be a very difficult trial. He may only be successful in such a trial if he has some training that develops within him the proper discipline and self-control. This training should remind him of where that wealth came from in the first place - from Allaah سبحانه وتعالى - and what a wonderful bounty it is, reminding him that many people are without that bounty. This will make him realise how important it is for him to use that wealth in a proper manner. This training and development of will power is provided for him in the obligation of Zakah.

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#17 [Permalink] Posted on 26th August 2014 10:07

(4) Zakah is also a strong reminder that wealth is a blessing from Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. A wealthy person sees around him and throughout the world the kind of misery and destitution that, if Allaah سبحانه وتعالى willed, he himself could be experiencing. This should develop a very strong feeling of humility and gratitude toward Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. Perhaps this is a part of the meaning behind the verse of the Qur'an,

"Verily, your Wali (Protector or Helper) is Allah, His Messenger, and those who have believed - those who establish prayer and give zakah, and they bow [in worship]." (Sooratul Maa'ida, 5:55)

Indeed, the believer should be activel seeking means by which he can thank Allaah سبحانه وتعالى for the bounties He has given him. This feeling should drive him to perform more and more good deeds. The beautiful paradox of this is that if the Zakah has this effect on him and he grows more thankful to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى, Allaah سبحانه وتعالى will in turn give him ever more blessings in this life and in the Hereafter. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى says,

"And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favour]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.' "" (Soorah Ibraaheem, 14:7)

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#18 [Permalink] Posted on 27th August 2014 10:02

(5) This act of worship highlights a fact discussed earlier concerning the scope of purification of the soul. Purification does not deal simply with one's interaction with his Lord سبحانه وتعالى (if one can somehow compartmentalise that and remove it from all other interactions) but it also deals with one's interaction with the other believers in particular and the rest of humanity in general.

Via the Zakah, one directly fulfills the needs of others. But it is done as an act of worship of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. The basis by which one should interact with others is, once again, the worship of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى and the attempt to purify oneself. One interacts with others not on some secular basis or some philosophical view of human rights. Instead, one interacts with others based on a much stronger and moving foundation: on the basis of how Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has instructed one to interact with others. In this way, that interaction actually becomes a form of worship, pleasing to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى and aiding in the purification of one's soul.

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#19 [Permalink] Posted on 28th August 2014 09:57

(6) A corollary to the previous point is that one of the beneficial aspects of the importance Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has placed on the Zakah (and charity in general) and one of its many positive effects on the soul is that it develops within the soul a desire to sacrifice and assist others for the sake of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. The true believer cultivates in his heart the joy of giving for the sake of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى, recognising how pleased Allaah سبحانه وتعالى is with such a deed. It is not simply a matter of removing the disease of selfishness, the ill amassing of wealth and the harms of egotism from one's heart. It is more than that. It is the replacement of those possible feelings with the feeling that a believer should sacrifice and work for others as a means of getting closer to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. This feeling should be so strong that even the one who has nothing or very little will want to sacrifice and give to get closer to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى describes such believers when He said,

"They give them preference over themselves, even though they were in need of that. And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, such are they who will be the successful." (Sooratul Hashr, 59:9)

Hence, the feeling of not just thinking about oneself but of going out and doing good for others as an act of worship of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى is embedded in the heart and soul of the true believer.

Such an attitude was found among the Companions رضي الله عنهم of the Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم and the Sharee'ah explained how even those not blessed with wealth may also share in the experience of giving and developing that attitude in their hearts. Imam al-Bukhari رحمه الله and Imam Muslim رحمه الله record,

"Charity is obligatory upon every Muslim." It was said, "What if someone does not have the means?" The Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم said, "Let him work with his two hands, thus benefiting himself and giving charity." It was then said, "What do you say if he cannot do that?" He answered, "Then he should help one in need." Again it was said to him, "What if he cannot do that?" He replied, "Let him order virtues or goodness." It was said, "What about if he does not do that?" He answered, "He should then abstain from evil, and that will be charity on his behalf."

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#20 [Permalink] Posted on 1st September 2014 09:37

(7) A great disease that Zakah can cure is the insatiable desire for more. This desire is found in virtually all humans and needs to be controlled and resisted. The Messenger of Allaah صلي الله عليه وسلم said,

"If the son of Adam is given a valley filled with gold, he would love to have a second one. And if he were given two valleys, he would desire a third. Nothing will fill the stomach of the son of Adam except dirt, while Allaah returns to whoever repents [to Him]." [1]

Allaah سبحانه وتعالى also states mankind's love for wealth in the verse,

"And indeed he is, in love of wealth, intense." (Sooratul 'Aadiyaat, 100:8)

Notes

[1] Saheeh al-Bukhari

[2] Purification of the Soul

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#21 [Permalink] Posted on 2nd September 2014 09:46

(8) Another important point related to Zakah has to do with the attitude towards wealth in Islam and what is of true value and worth. Islam makes it clear that wealth in itself is neither necessarily good nor evil. Problems occur when the means to attain it and how it is used are abused; however, in itself it is neutral. This is a very important point for the health of the soul. This is because mankind is naturally inclined to loving wealth and wanting to possess at least some wealth. Indeed, Allaah سبحانه وتعالى says,

"Beautified for men is the love of things they covet; women, children, much of gold and silver (wealth), branded beautiful horses, cattle and well-tilled land. This is the pleasure of the present world's life; but Allah has the excellent return (Paradise with flowing rivers, etc.) with Him." (Soorah Aali 'Imraan, 3:14)

One of the problems with many of the other supposed paths of purification of the soul that were discussed earlier (in particular, Christianity and Buddhism) is that their views of wealth were completely impractical and, most important, not consistent with the natural make-up of humans. Hence, the soul would either have to revolt against a path that it was claiming to recognise as true or would have to continually live with an internal struggle that could lead to other diseases of the soul, such as doubt and misgivings.

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#22 [Permalink] Posted on 3rd September 2014 10:14

(9) Closely related to the previous point, Zakah reminds all and sundry that the real goal in life is not the amassing of wealth or becoming rich. Indeed, that it not necessarily even a goal in itself. That is a subgoal only if it can be achieved without sacrificing the more important aspects of life and only if it can be used in the proper means. Shaykh Sulaiman Nadwi رحمه الله wrote,

"In the sight of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم poverty and destitution did not mean dishonour or humiliation, neither were riches and wealth equated with honour and dignity. Only virtue and piety were the criteria for reverence and superiority."

Indeed, Allaah سبحانه و تعالى says in the Qur'aan,

"Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa [1]." (Sooratul Hujuraat, 49:13)

Unfortunately, even Muslim societies today are afflicted with this disease of evaluating a person according to the car he drives, the degree he has and how often he buys new furniture for his house. If a person does not have the finer material things in life, he is worth nothing in the eyes of many Muslims today, even if he is the most pious of all the people. [2] [3]

Notes:

[1] See: Fear Allaah wherever you are (Taqwa) - http://www.muftisays.com/forums/12-virtues/7703-fear-allah-wherever-you-are-taqwa.html

[2] Indeed, some students who came from overseas to the United States are too ashamed to go home if they cannot complete their degrees. They would prefer to stay in the United States by any means and take the most menial of jobs to avoid going home and having to face the shame and dishonour of their families. This author has personally witnessed this for people coming from one of the poorest countries in the world, Bangladesh. In some cases, the person himself found the true Islaam and became a dedicated Muslim in the United States but this fact meant nothing to his friends and family back home.

[2] Purification of the Soul

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#23 [Permalink] Posted on 4th September 2014 11:09

(10) As a corollary to this last point, the Zakah frees oneself the overwhelming desire to "keep up with the Jones," which is so predominant in the world today. When one pays the Zakah, it makes him realise that he does not need all of the material goods in this world, in particular he does not necessarily need what everybody is purchasing simply because it is the latest fad. This type of consumption for show and competition with others leads to a great deal of waste. When one is filled with the spirit of Zakah, he realises that such wealth has a much more important purpose and can be much more beneficial for the individual.

Instead of buying what others buy in order to keep up with them, the individual realises that that wealth would be better used if given for charitable contributions for the poor, for Jihaad, for spreading the faith and so forth. The individual will be happy with that decision for his wealth even if others may look down upon him because he does not have the latest goods that they are all purchasing simply to impress each other.

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#24 [Permalink] Posted on 5th September 2014 10:20

(11) Zakah is also a reminder that humans are in need of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى while Allaah سبحانه وتعالى is not in need of them or their wealth in any way whatsoever. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has clearly reminded all of the believers:

"Behold! You are those who are called to spend in the Cause of Allah, yet among you are some who are niggardly. And whoever is niggardly, it is only at the expense of his ownself. But Allah is Rich (Free of all wants), and you (mankind) are poor. And if you turn away (from Islam and the obedience of Allah), He will exchange you for some other people, and they will not be your likes. " (Soorah Muhammad, 47:38)

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#25 [Permalink] Posted on 9th September 2014 11:25

(12) Once again, the evil disease of kibr (arrogance and pride) is dealt a heavy blow by the actualisation and understanding of Zakah. First, the fact that Allaah requires a person to pay Zakah reminds the person that the wealth he has is, in reality, not really his. He is like a caretaker. Furthermore, it reminds him that his "greatness" is not the source of his wealth; instead, the true source of that wealth was actually Allaah who, if He had willed, would not have bestowed that wealth on him in the first place. Hence, the believer should become humbled and give the Zakah and other charity willfully and and happily. He will not become like Qaaroon who said,

"He said, 'I was only given it because of knowledge I have.' Did he not know that Allah had destroyed before him of generations those who were greater than him in power and greater in accumulation [of wealth]? But the criminals, about their sins, will not be asked." (Sooratul Qasas, 28:78)

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#26 [Permalink] Posted on 10th September 2014 12:42

(13) Another dangerous disease for the soul is that of stinginess, greed and covetousness. In fact, if one can overcome this tendency in the soul and control it properly, he will have accomplished a great thing. He will have accomplished something that can definitely set him on the path of true purification and success. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى says in two places in the Qur'aan,

"And those saved from the covetousness of their own souls, then they are the successful ones." (Sooratul Hashr, 59:9 and Soorah at-Taghaabun, 64:16)

This disease can be overcome by training oneself to sacrifice, making oneself realise that it is not the material things of this world that one is striving for and making oneself realise that giving up something in this life does not mean the end of the world. One can give and still be just as happy as before giving - indeed, the joy that can come from giving will make the person even happier than if he had not given. The person does not have to live in fear of losing the worldly possessions that are so dear to him - so dear to him because he gives them a weight and importance that is more than they deserve.

However, until someone gives up some of his wealth, he may never realise this fact. If he is always stingy and never willing to give what he possesses, he may convince himself that this is the only way to behave, for he believes that disaster and want will be his plight. Hence, he must be forced at some time to give up some of his wealth so that he will realise that giving up some of one's wealth is not that bad. Indeed, he will realise that it is not bad at all. He will realise that he gave up something for the sake of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى and, Allaah سبحانه وتعالى willing, a feeling will overcome him that will make him understand some of the reality related to wealth. It is the obligatory Zakah that forces him to take that first step and experience that feeling that he perhaps never imagined could have been the result of sacrificing some of the wealth that he loves so dearly. As this feeling permeates his soul even more deeply when he gives the Zakah year after year - and witnesses no loss to his happiness due to giving up some of his wealth - the diseases of miserliness and stinginess will be removed from his heart and he will be on the path of the truly successful.

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#27 [Permalink] Posted on 11th September 2014 12:05

(14) The institution of Zakah not only helps the purify the wealth, it also helps in the purification of the poor recipients of Zakah. It can be instrumental in the removal of the deadly spiritual diseases of envy and hatred from the hearts of the poor toward the rich. When the rich help the poor and give the obligatory Zakah and any additional charity that is the result of the spirit developed in them through Zakah, this generates love between the rich and the poor. The rich are not leaving the poor behind but they are concerned about them and willing to take care of them as part of their responsibility to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى.

It is also an opportunity for the poor to give thanks to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. The poor receive some wealth that Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has obligated for them to receive. The commandment of Zakah shows that the poor are not despised nor are they to be forgotten. When their cases are sincere, they are to be helped and assisted. Their poverty is not their destined plight necessarily due to their own lack of effort, as the Protestant ethic may lead one to conclude.

Finally, the Zakah that the poor person receives is a reminder to the poor that the real distributor of wealth and the real owner of wealth is Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. Hence, the poor person also has to realise that Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has decreed for him his current situation and he must react to his situation in a way that is pleasing to Allaah سبحانه وتعالى. He cannot resort to stealing or violence nor should he curse his situation. Instead, he should be patient, work according to the laws of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى to improve his situation and realise that there is, Allaah willing, some good in the situation he is in even though from a worldly point of view it may look very bleak.

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#28 [Permalink] Posted on 12th September 2014 12:45

(15) Islahi makes an interesting point, stating, "Wherever a person invests his money, experience bears witness that his heart too dwells there. Seen in this light it becomes evident that on spending his wealth in the way of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى, his heart too will dwell with Allaah سبحانه وتعالى since it is with Him that he has done business and his wealth lies with Him."

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#29 [Permalink] Posted on 15th September 2014 09:52

With respect to Zakaah, Allaah سبحانه وتعالى explicitly discusses some matters that must be avoided on the part of the giver. If one does not avoid these matters, the benefits of Zakaah will be effaced and, hence, the act may have no positive effect on the soul. Although every act may have some negating factors (such as praying only to be seen by others), the negating factors related to Zakaah and charity are very prominent and common. Therefore, it is a must that they be discussed here.

Allaah سبحانه وتعالى explicitly shows that the act of giving Zakaah must be free of any show and of any harassing or bothering of the one who receives the charity. Obviously, any act of worship must be done solely for the sake of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى for it to be acceptable. This is true for Zakaah and all other acts of worship. The problem in particular with Zakaah and charity is that the person may have thought that he is giving away the wealth solely for the sake of Allaah سبحانه وتعالى but then he ignorantly gives it away or follows it up with such deeds that render the act fruitless. Hence, Allaah سبحانه وتعالى says in the Qur'aan,

"Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allah, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. Kind words and forgiving of faults are better than Sadaqah (charity) followed by injury. And Allah is Rich (Free of all wants) and He is Most-Forbearing. 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." (Sooratul Baqarah, 2:262-264)

The irony in such an act of harming the one who accepts a person's Zakaah is that the Zakaah one is giving is actually a right of the poor person. Allaah سبحانه وتعالى has given the poor person that right. Hence, the one with wealth is not doing the poor person any favour out of his own choice. Indeed, the poor person is doing the rich person a favour by accepting his Zakaah. He is accepting from the richer person that payment that will purify the wealth person's wealth and soul. Hence, the giver should actually be thankful to the poorer person for accepting his Zakaah. (There have actually been times in the history of Islaam where the wealth of the state was so great that nobody was willing to accept other people's Zakaah. Hence, one should be grateful when he finds somebody who is willing to take his Zakaah.)

Furthermore, the believer must be willing to give of those things that are beloved to him and those things that are from permissible sources. When paying the Zakaah or giving charity in general, he should not give away wealth and items that have no meaning or value to him. When doing this, in essence, he is not sacrificing anything and has not really fulfilled the purpose behind these acts. In fact, Allaah سبحانه وتعالى says,

"By no means shall you attain righteousness, unless you spend (in Allah's Cause) of that which you love; and whatever of good you spend, Allah knows it well." (Soorah Aali 'Imraan, 3:92)

Allaah سبحانه وتعالى also says,

"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 Allah is Rich (Free of all wants), and Worthy of all praise." (Sooratul Baqarah, 2:267)

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Virtues of Sadaqah (Charity)

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