What is charity and to whom is it given?
Anything that a person needs, such as goods, money, or knowledge, given to the poor in order to gain Allah’s approval is called charity. Since charity includes all voluntary or obligatory aid, zakat is also called a type of charity. However, when it comes to charity, the first thing that usually comes to mind is voluntary charity. Giving charity has many benefits in this world and the hereafter. We can list these benefits as follows:
Charities atone for sins and are protective against the fire of Hell. The Prophet (PBUH) said the following on this subject:
“Give alms, even if it is with a date. Because a date satisfies hunger. Just as water extinguishes fire, it also extinguishes and eliminates sins.” “Protect yourself from the fire of Hell, even if it is with half a date. If you cannot find that either, speak sweet and nice words. (This also counts as alms).”
Charities protect their recipients from the horrors of the Day of Judgement. Our Prophet expressed this situation as follows:
“Everyone will be under the shade of his charity until the day of judgement.”
Charities also alleviate the wrath of Allah. It is stated in a hadith:
“Charity given in secret appeases the wrath of Allah, the Almighty and Majestic.”
Charities also ward off troubles and calamities. Our Prophet said:
“Charity wards off calamities.”
A person should not turn down someone who asks him for something, but should try to give him something as much as he can.
The Prophet Muhammad would personally give alms to a needy person and would not use anyone else as an intermediary…
It is more virtuous to give alms secretly. As our Prophet said:
“Three things are among the treasures of goodness. One of them is to hide the charity one gives.”
The Quran also encourages giving alms in secret:
“If you hide your charity and give it to the poor in secret, it is better for you.” (Al-Baqara, 271).
The most important benefit of giving alms secretly is that the donor is spared from showing off. In addition, the honor and dignity of the recipient is protected.
Charity should be given from lawful earnings, for the sake of Allah, without expecting anything in return or benefit. When giving charity, one should avoid ostentation and arrogance, and should give with sincere intentions. Charity can be given directly to a person, or through donations to charitable organizations.
Every Muslim can give charity in any amount he/she wishes, according to his/her financial means. These charities can be given to relatives he/she is not responsible for, the poor, orphans, students in need, and those in financial difficulty.
In addition, Muslims can earn continuous rewards by building permanent structures such as schools, mosques, masjids, madrasahs, hospitals, bridges, fountains and water wells with a permanent charity known as sadaqah jariya.
One of the types of charity, fitr charity, is also known as fitra among the public. The fitr charity, which should be given during the month of Ramadan, is considered a gratitude for being created as a human and for fasting during Ramadan and benefiting from the blessings of this holy month. The minimum amount of fitra to be given by religiously wealthy people is determined by the Presidency of Religious Affairs and announced before the month of Ramadan.
Charity, one of the acts of worship performed for the sake of Allah, provides great benefits to Muslims in terms of gaining Allah’s approval. It has been stated in many verses and hadiths that charity increases the abundance of property, gives a person peace and contentment, wards off troubles and is a means of goodness. For example;
“Every charity they spend, big or small, and every valley they traverse (in the way of Allah) is written down for them so that Allah may reward them with the best of what they did.” (At-Tawbah 121)
“Say: ‘Indeed, my Lord expands the provision for whomever He wills of His servants, and restricts it for him. Whatever you spend, He (Allah) gives in its place; and He is the Best of providers.’” (Saba 39)
Our Prophet (S.A.W.) said in a Hadith:
“On the Day of Judgment, the shade of a believer is his charity. When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah, that is, charity whose benefits continue uninterruptedly, knowledge that is benefited from, and a pious child who prays for him.”
The virtues of giving alms have been emphasized in verses of the Holy Quran and hadiths by our Prophet (S.A.W.). Some of these verses and hadiths that encourage Muslims to give alms are as follows:
“You will never attain righteousness until you spend in the way of Allah of that which you love. Whatever you spend, Allah knows it.” (Aal-i Imran 92)
“Certainly, those who give charity, men and women, and those who lend a good loan to Allah, will have it repaid to them manifold, and they will have a noble reward.” (Hadid 18)
Our Prophet (S.A.W.) said:
“Giving charity does not decrease wealth. Allah increases the honor of a servant as he forgives the mistakes of others. He who humbles himself for the sake of Allah, Allah will elevate him.”