Charity - Quran, Hadees
Assalam alaikoum
I wonder if there are any conditions we have to consider before giving our money to someone else.
Like;
Are we supposed to know that person personally ?
Are we supposed to make sure he really needs the money ? What i mean is, sometimes people (Muslims we just met online) may ask us for money, help. Some of them say as sadaqa, some say as lending money. So we cant be sure if he/she says truth or no
In short words, when someone says ''I am Muslim, i need help'' are we supposed to help and dont think about rest, Allah wil accept it anyway ?
Charity is a form of doing justice. There is obligatory Charity (Zakaat) and voluntary(Sadaqaat). The deed of Zakaat is different from that of Sadaqat. Its obligatory to understand the difference. Intention, halaal act/source of income of giver matters here. But, by helping the truly needy in society, we show solidarity with poor, and help spread the blessings we receive, thus thanking Almighty, better. Also note, one can give sadaqaat to a disbeliever also. Even animal is worthy of a charitable act/assistance. Charity takes a wider meaning, not just monetary..
Whom to Give :
"They ask you, [O Muhammad], what they should spend. Say, "Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveler. And whatever you do of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it." [
Quran 2:215]
"And among them are some who criticize you concerning the [distribution of] charities. If they are given from them, they approve; but if they are not given from them, at once they become angry.If only they had been satisfied with what Allah and His Messenger gave them and said, "Sufficient for us is Allah ; Allah will give us of His bounty, and [so will] His Messenger; indeed, we are desirous toward Allah ," [it would have been better for them]. Zakah expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakah] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the [stranded] traveler - an obligation [imposed] by Allah . And Allah is Knowing and Wise." [
Quran 9:58-60]
Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah ] from that which you love. And whatever you spend - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it. [Quran 3:92]
Not upon you, [O Muhammad], is [responsibility for] their guidance, but Allah guides whom He wills. And whatever good you [believers] spend is for yourselves, and you do not spend except seeking the countenance of Allah . And whatever you spend of good - it will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.[Charity is] for the poor who have been restricted for the cause of Allah , unable to move about in the land. An ignorant [person] would think them self-sufficient because of their restraint, but you will know them by their [characteristic] sign. They do not ask people persistently [or at all]. And whatever you spend of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.Those who spend their wealth [in Allah 's way] by night and by day, secretly and publicly - they will have their reward with their Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.
[Quran 2:272-2:274]
*Translation: Sahih International*
Ata Al-Khurasani said that the Ayah 2:272-274 means,
"You give away charity for the sake of Allah. Therefore, you will not be asked about the deeds (or wickedness) of those who receive it.'
Charity/help, some more Hadith:
Prophet
was asked: "But what happens if he has nothing to give?". Prophet replied: "If he has nothing, he must do a work with his hand by which he obtains something and benefits himself and gives alms with the remainder". The man asked: "But what happens if he is not able to do the work?". Prophet replied: "Then he should assist the needy and the oppressed". He was asked: "What happens if he is not able to assist the needy and the oppressed". Prophet replied: "Then he should exhort people to do good". Another question: "And if he cannot?". Prophet replied: "Then let him withhold himself from doing harm to people for verily that is as alms and charity for him" [Tirmidhi]
“Removing from the road that which is harmful is charity. ” [Bukhari]
“No wealth (of a servant of Allah) is decreased because of charity.” [Tirmidhi]
“Man should give alms for each of his joints for each of God’s day. Doing justice betweentwo people is charity; and asisting a man upon his beast, and lifting his baggage is charity;and pure, comforting words are charity; every step you take to the mosque is charity, andremoving that which is an inconvenience to wayfarers, such as thorns and stones, is a charity.” [Bukhari]
“Every good act is charity.” In another narration it is said: “Your smiling in your brother'sface is charity; and your exhorting man to virtuous deeds is charity; and your prohibiting theforbidden is charity; and your showing men the road, in the land in which they lose it, ischarity; and your assisting the blind is charity.” [Tirmidhi]
“Shall I not inform you of a better act than fasting, alms, and prayers? Making peace betweenone another: enmity and malice tear up heavenly rewards by the roots.” [Tirmidhi]
“The angels asked, "O God! Is there anything of Your creation stronger than rocks?" Godsaid, "Yes; iron is stronger than rocks, for it breaks them." The angels said, "O Lord! Is thereanything of Your creation stornger than iron?" God said, "Yes; fire is stronger than iron, for itmelts it." And the angels said, O defender! Is there anything of Your creation stronger thanfire?" God said, "Yes; water overcomes fire; it kills it and makes it cold." Then the angelssaid, "O Lord! Is there anything of Your creation stronger than water?" God said, "Yes; windovercomes water: it agitates it and puts it in motion." They said, "O our cherisher! Is thereanything in Your creation stronger than wind?" God said, "Yes, the children of Adam, givingalms; that is, those who give with their right hands and conceal if from their left, theyovercome all." [Tirmidhi]
'When one of you is poor, he starts with himself. If anything is left, he spends it on his dependants. If anything is (still left) then on his relatives, and then, if more is left, he spends it here and there.'
'The best of alms-giving is that which springs from the heart and is uttered by the lips to soften the wounds of the injured. To enjoin good and forbid evil is also a charity and an act of alms-giving.'
There is a saying "We know how to make money, we dont know whom to spend on". Given the times we are in, nobody likes to be on receiving end of cheat. If a person appears from nowhere and seeks help, the help we provide, depends on nature of help being requested, and first impression made on us. The help we can provide also depends on our ability to fulfill the need, without weakening ourselves. When choosing, a person closer to us should be given preference. Does not mean, however treat every stranger in the strangest possible way! That also reminds me of a time approved rule, a wayfarer and traveler should not be shown closed door.
Hope these also help.
Note: Interestingly, I have read a collection of Hadees compiled for Russians, supposedly by Russian Leo Tolstoy. It has quite a lot of hadees related to Charity. Does someone here have something more to share on this?
