Giving in Charity

Intro | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14

Contents

Compensation of the donor Action plan Coming up

15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26

One of the things that Muslims are widely recognised for is the selfless charitable contributions they make in pursuit of helping the needy and the destitute. But in light of the drastic increase in the cost of living in the UK, people have started to tirelessly work longer shifts in search of financial contentment. As a result of this, charity may have started to become something that is perceived as burdensome or unfeasible.

But what if I told you that the actual solution to your worries and problems is giving in charity?! What if I told you that through giving in charity, you could have your earnings supplemented?

Compensation of the donor

The Prophet (ﷺ) said,

ما من يوم يصبح العباد فيه إلا ملكان ينزلان فيقول أحدهما: اللهم أعط منفقاً خلفاً، ويقول الآخر: اللهم أعط ممسكاً تلفاً

“Every day, 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).'” [1]

This report remarkably illustrates the inevitable outcome of two actions: selflessly giving in charity, and the damage that can be self-inflicted by withholding charity.

As for the one who gives in charity, two angels eagerly plead with Allah to expand his or her wealth according to the amount s/he gives.

Along these lines, Ibn al-Qayyim further elaborates on how charity completely changes the life of the giver,

تشرح الصدر وتدخل السرور على المنفق المتصدق

“It (charity) brings about serenity, and fills the giver with contentedness.” [2]

Is there any supplication that has a greater likelihood of being promptly responded to, than that of the angels?

As we aim to quantify our acts of righteousness in Ramadan – the month of giving – let’s try to dig deep and make a worthy investment in betterment of this life, and the next.

Action plan

Try to allocate a daily and sustainable amount for the sole purpose of giving it to charity (consider donating to Islam21c);
Discuss with family and friends, and collectively carry out a fundraiser to make a difference to the lives of the needy (consider signing up to, or sharing the Islam21c challenge).