The Importance of Charity

In Islam, there are many reasons why performing charity is important for practicing Muslims. The information below is quoted from the Human Appeal Inc. web site

Sadaqa is a donation given voluntarily for the sake of Allah to poor people, providing them with necessities of life.

Giving Sadaqa Is An Evidence Of Believe In Allah

If Allah blessed us with money, good health or knowledge, then we should acknowledge His blessing by sharing Allah’s gifts with those who are less fortunate. Some may need direct financial aid if they are poor and cannot meet their obligations. Others may need guidance in the form of sound sincere advice. Others may need comfort and a good word. All are forms of Sadaqa that will count in our favor.

Allah SWT said in the Quran

“Believe in Allah and His Messenger, and spend (in charity) out of the (substance) whereof He has made you heirs. For, those of you who believe and spend (in charity); for them is a great Reward”. Al-Hadeed 57 : 7

The Best Charity Is That Given Out Of What We Make And Earn:

The Prophet PBUH said :

“The best earning is that which your hands have earned; whenever a man spends on himself, or his family, children and servant, it is considered as a charity for him” Narrated by Ibn Majja.

Charity Involves Money, Effort, Knowledge And Helping Others

The Prophet PBUH said:

“There is a Sadaqa ( charity ) due on every Muslim; if he cannot give because he has no money, let him work then he can support himself and give charity; if he is unable to work, then let him help someone in need of his help; if he does not do that, let him adjoin good; if he does not do that, then he should not do evil or harm others: it will be written for him as a Sadaqa” Narrated by Ahmad,Bokhari, Muslim & Nesa’ee.

This hadith points out the importance of Sadaqa and making it as a continuous duty performed by society. That will tie the relations between the society’s individuals and unite them. The Prophet PBUH said in other Hadith that even your smile to your brother is a charity. Also, from the above mentioned Hadith we can observe that even if the person has no money he can perform the Sadaqa duty by other ways, so the poor and rich will contribute in this duty.

Give Of The Best That You Have

We were asked to give sadaqa from the best things that we have and we love.

Allah SWT said:

"O believers, never shall you attain to true piety unless you spend on others out of what you cherish yourselves; and whatever you spend - verily, God has full knowledge thereof”. Al-Imran 3 : 92.

Our Wealth Will Not Decrease If We Give In Charity

Allah promised to replace everything that we give in charity, and Allah is true to His promise.

Allah SWT said in the Quran:

“Say: Verily my Lord enlarges and restricts the Sustenance to such of His servants as He pleases: and what you spend in charity He replaces it: for He is the Best of those who grant Sustenance”. Saba 34 : 39

Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH ) emphasized this concept when He said:
“No money ever decreases because of charity”.

Sadaqa Protects The Society

As a fact, the most causes of crimes in societies is related to the poorness and needy. When the person has no enough resources of income he may try to get money illegally to safe his life. When the rich people give out their sadaqa and Zakah the poor people will become secured and satisfied and they will not to go through criminal ways to get the money.

The Sadaqa Jariya

The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:

“If a human dies, then his good deeds stop except for three: a Sadaqa Jariah (continuous charity), a beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him”. Narrated by Muslim.

The Sadaqa Jariya is a donation that its reward from Allah SWT continuous for long time. There are many funds that the Sadaqa Jariya could be paid to. Examples of these are: digging wells, building mosques, building schools and distributing the knowledge.