Hadith on Islamic Charity

Cause and effect, are from the wisdom of Allah (SWT). 
He has connected the cause and effect of things. For example, 
the person who uses good methods in planting his crops will get 
a good harvest. Just the same way a person who eats and drinks 
healthily will have good health.

Allah (SWT) too has linked spiritual and metaphysical causes to 
spiritual results. Allah (SWT) states that the one who is beneficial to 
his relatives will have an increase in his life span. Also Allah (SWT) 
states that giving charity removes evil. 


We human beings wonder how the cause and effect is connected, 
and what is the wisdom behind the incidences in life? Some cause 
and effects are easy to explain and the wisdom behind them is clear. 


On the other hand some of these phenomena's are hard to explain. 
However Islam stresses that giving charity increases sustenance. 


Following are a few traditions that stress on this fact.


Prophet Muhammad (S) says that: "Attract sustenance by giving charity."
Abu Abdillah (AS) says that: "Allah (SWT) gives help to person equal in 
quantity to the charity a person gives."


Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) says that: "Everything has a key, and the key to 
sustenance is charity."


Prophet Muhammad (S) says that: "An act of charity shields 
seventy dead people from ill fate."


Prophet Muhammad (S) says that: "Give charity without delay, 
for it stands in the way of calamity."


Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) says that: "An act of charity given openly 
prevents seventy types of mishaps, and a secretly given charity 
cools the anger of our Lord Allah (SWT)."


Prophet Muhammad (S) has also said that: "The angel of death is 
told to remove the soul of a person, but if during that time charity 
is given then the order to remove the soul is cancelled."


It has been related in Al-Bihar that Prophet Muhammad (S) said that: 
"Allah (SWT) says that when the angel of death is asked to remove 
the soul of a person, and if he or she gives Sadaqa, 
Allah (SWT) orders the angel of death to stop."


Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS) says that: "An act of charity shields us of 
seventy evils of this world including an ill fated death. The one who 
gives charity never dies ill fatedly."


According to Islamic beliefs, when we give charity, Allah (SWT) due 
to his mercy changes our fate. Allah (SWT) says in the Noble Qur'an 
that: "Allah removes what He wishes and establishes what He wishes, 
for He has the Mother of Books." 


                                              Noble Quran (13:39)

What is Islamic Charity

                        Islam, every Muslim is obliged to give to charity in whatever 

form to boost his piety and spread wealth and goodwill among 

the whole community. It's no surprise then that the Arabic word 

tasadaqa (to give charity) is derived from the word "sadaqa" 

which means tell the truth or be sincere.

Allah (SWT) says in the Noble Qur'an: "By no means shall you attain 

to righteousness until you spend (benevolently) out of what you love; 

and whatever thing you spend, Allah surely knows it." 

                                                                        Noble Quran(3:92)

Therefore voluntary charity, or sadaqa, which is different than 

the zakah - the compulsory alms that are collected each year - 

should be part of every Muslim's daily life. 

Prophet Muhammad (S) said that every good deed is charity - 

even a smile in the face of others is charity.

Prophet Muhammad (S) said: "There is no person who does not 

have the obligation of doing charity every day that the sun rises." 

Whereupon he was asked: "O Messenger of Allah (SWT), 

from where would we get something to give in charity (so often)?" 

Prophet Muhammad (S) replied: "Indeed the gates to goodness are 

many: glorifying Allah (SWT), praising Him, magnifying Him, 

saying 'There is no god but Allah', enjoining the good and 

forbidding the evil, removing (any source of harm from the road, 

listening to the aggrieved, guiding the blind, showing the seeker 

his need, striving as far as your two legs could carry you and 

with deep concern to give succour to him who asks, carrying with 

the strength of your arms (the burdens of) the weak. All these 

are acts of charity which are an obligation on you." And 

Prophet Muhammad (S) added: "And your smiling in the face of 

your brother is charity, your removing of stones and thorns from 

people's paths is charity, and your guiding a man gone astray in 

the world is charity for you."

Charity, as it is traditionally understood, consists of money or various 

objects given by the rich to help the poor or by the strong to help 

the weak. Charity in its tangible, narrow sense divides people into 

the receivers on the one hand and the givers on the other. 

This division inspires among the receivers feelings of weakness 

and even of error, and among those who give feelings of pride and 

conceit. 

But the saying of Prophet Muhammad (S), however, takes charity 

out of this narrow, physical meaning and on to a spiritual plane that 

opens up a vast and limitless world by emphasizing that every good is 

charity. And on every person is the obligation of charity. 

This is a unique concept of charity.

Prophet Muhammad (S) makes us realize the single spiritual essence 

which lies behind every act of goodness. 

But Prophet Muhammad (S) does not want us merely to know. 

Knowledge is not an end in itself. 

Prophet Muhammad (S) wants to make us return to goodness, 

goodness which is the very word of Allah (SWT). 

Prophet Muhammad (S) wants that each of us should move and stir 

ourselves from within into goodness so that giving would become 

a habit of life, and that this habit would pass from person to person. 

The complete Islamic concept of charity which includes all good actions 

however small they may be, allows every person whether rich or poor, 

to become givers and receivers on an equal basis. This point to another 

basic principle of Islamic thought and behaviors that the standard on 

which life is judged is not the materialistic alone but one based on faith, 

feeling and sensitivity which form the center of human relations. 

And from it comes the ties of faith, affection and love to bind hearts.

Allah (SWT) says in the Noble Qur'an: "And united their (believers) hearts; 

had you spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, 

but Allah united them; surely He is Mighty, Wise." 

                                                                      Noble Quran(8:63)

Prophet Muhammad (S) has said: "No one of you believes until he loves 

for his brother what he loves for himself."

This is the essence of charity. So begin by meeting your brother and sister 

with a smile. This would open up locked souls, penetrate to the depths 

of the heart and exert a magnetic bond on society. 

Read the hadith again and see how it reaches into the depths of the soul, 

the essence of existence and creates hearts that are tender, pure, radiant 

and beautiful.

And Abdullaah Ibn Haarith said: "I never came across a person who smiled 

as much as Prophet Muhammad (S). Prophet Muhammad (S) regarded 

smiling with a brother as an act of charity." 

                                                                             (Tirmidhi)

Indeed every act of giving is charity, even a smile in the face of your fellow.

Prophet Muhammad (S) was asked if acts of charity even to the animals 

were rewarded by Allah (SWT). He replied: 'yes, there is a reward 

for acts of charity to every beast alive.' 

                                                                      (Bukhari, Muslim)

Children are blessings not burden-Noble Qur'an

Allah (SWT) says in Noble Qur'an: "Kill not your children for fear of want. 

We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you. Verily the killing 

of them is great sin." 

Noble Qur'an (17: 31)

Once a Companion, Sahabi (Allah be pleased with him) submitted to 

the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): 

"O Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 

which is the greatest sin?"

Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) observed: 

"Polytheism"

The Companion, Sahabi (Allah be pleased with him) again submitted: 

"And what next?"

Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) observed: 

"Disobedience to parents"

The Companion, Sahabi (Allah be pleased with him) submitted for 

the third time: "And which sin is the greatest next to it?"

Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) observed: 

"To kill your children fearing that they will share your sustenance."

ZAKAT AL-FITR (Alms giving, Charity)

Allah (SWT) says in the Quran-e-Majid that one who gives "Zakat" and 

remembers Him will get salvation. Here, Zakat means "Fitra" and 

remembrance of God means the recitation of the following Takbir 

on the night and morning of Eid al-Fitr.

"Allaaho Akbar, Allaaho Akbar, Laa ilaaha illallaah wallaaho Akbar, 

Allaaho Akbar, Wa lillaahil hamd. Alhamdulillah alaa maa hadaanaa 

walahu Shukr alaa maa aulana."

The meaning of the above is:

 "Allah is Great, Allah is Great there is no one 

worthy of prayer but Allah, and Allah is Great; Allah is Great, 

all praise be to Allah it is He Who guides.", 

Zakat al-Fitr is a small amount that Muslims are obliged to pay as 

charity Zakat al-Fitr is often referred to as Sadaqah al-Fitr 

(voluntary charity)at the end of The Ramadan.

The word Fitr means the same as Iftaar, breaking a fast and 

it comes from the same root word as Futoor which means breakfast. 

Thus, Islamically, Zakat al-Fitr is the name given to charity which is 

distributed at the end of the fast of Ramadan. Fitr is compulsory on 

those who can afford it, and it is a sin not to give it.

                        Hazrat Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq (A.S.) has said "that fasts do not attain 

perfection without Fitr just as Namaz is not accepted without 

invoking the blessings of Allah on Mohammad (S.A.W.) and 

his Aaal (A.S.) in Tashahhud".

Hazrat Imam Jafar-e-Sadiq (A.S.) used to instruct his accountant 

"To take out Fitr for each individual including slaves and servants 

male and female of his household without exception, as, he feared 

that one whose Fitr was not taken out might die within that year.

                  Fitr is dependant on the major item of food consumed by a person 

during the year. These may be rice, wheat, barley, dates, etc. 

In weight Fitr should be three Kilograms per person. It is also 

permissible to pay cash to the value of three Kilograms food grains.

                        It is obligatory on the head of the family to give Fitr of 

all persons (including servants of both sexes of any cast or creed) 

that take food in his house.

                        If a guest Muslim or non-Muslim arrives at one's house before 

the night of Eid al-Fitr and dines with his host, it is incumbent 

on the latter to give the former's Fitr.

                         If the guest arrives after sunset of the night of Eid al-Fitr. 

Fitr is not obligatory even if he dines with his host. 

Even when the guest arriving before sunset does not dine,

                             Fitr is obligatory on the host. In this it is better if both 

the host and the guest give Fitr.

                              If one's wife is at her parent's on the night of Eid al-Fitr, 

her parents should take out her Fitr.

              On the last day of the month of Ramadan, if a person arrranges a Majlis

 which finishes afer sunset (Magrib) and if, he offers Niyaz or food 

to his guests, he does not have to give Fitr for them.

                          Fitr should be given to deserving Momins who do not have 

enough income for the maintenance of their families 

for the whole year.

                      Fitr cannot be given to one's dependants. But, it is better to 

give it to non-dependant deserving relatives. Next in order 

of preference are deserving neighbors and then any other 

deserving pious persons.

Fitr from Syeds can be given to Syeds or non-Syeds. 

Fitr from non-Syeds cannot be given to Syeds.

                        If deserving persons are not really available, Fitr should 

be sent to places where such persons are found, or 

the amount should be sent to a Mujtahid who

        would do the needful in distributing the same.

It is not essential that the recipient of Fitr is an "Aadil" (just), 

but it is necessary to ensure that it is not given to anyone likely to use 

it in acts of sin, e.g. drinking liquor, gambling, etc.

                     Although it is permissible to send Fitr to any place it is preferable 

if it is distributed to a deserving person locally.

   The time for giving Fitr is from the night of Eid al-Fitr 

(Ramadan Eid) up to the noon (Zohr) of Eid al-Fitr. 

If this is not possible for some reason the amount of

   Fitr should be set apart from his other monies and disbursed

when deserving person is available or it may be sent to 

a Mujtahid for required distribution. It is stated that Fitr ought to 

be given to pious persons and not those who indulge in sin.

IN RETROSPECT: 

And now that the Holy Month of Glory (Ramadan) has departed and 

Eid is over, let us look back to the lessons it has taught us, and 

let us pray to God that the things we observed the recitation 

of the Holy Quran, the saying of Prayers (Namaz) regularly, 

the charity which we did, the poor that we fed, the good manners 

and self-restraint that we observed, should be with us 

in our everyday lives and these are the very ACTS that

    take us nearer to Allah.And Allah has said, 

"Therefore remember Me, I will remember you, and be

thankful to Me, and do not be ungrateful to Me.

                                            " Holy Quran (2:152)

"If ye are grateful, I will add more (favors) unto you; 

But if ye show ingratitude, truly My punishment is 

terrible indeed." 
Holy Quran(14:7)                       

And to those who have been indifferent and have wished that 

there was no such thing as this month of Ramadan and who on 

sighting the New Moon had a dejected face,

should remember this Ayat of the Holy Quran.

"Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer): but those who are 

too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves in Hell - 

in humiliation!" Holy Quran (40:60) 

But can ye not see, O men, the mighty workers of God in 

the heavens and the earth? The dark-some splendor of 

the night with the stars, and the daylight splendor of the sun? 

How the earth with its spacious expanse and its mountains, 

yields moisture and pasture, and feeds and sustains men and 

cattle, through God's Providence?

AH! Transgress not all bounds and earn not the fire of 

punishment, but fear God and His Judgment, and prepare for 

the Garden of Perpetual Bliss.

                  ZAKAT AL-FITR and ZAKAT (ZAKAH) are different: 
(Alms giving, Charity)                   


Over the centuries, it has become a practice among the Muslims 

to offer their Zakat (Zakah) in the month of Ramadan. This is 

generally done to increase one's blessings. However, 

we should remember that Zakat (Zakah) becomes due, 

one year after a person's wealth reaches the value of Nisab 

(minimum amount) for a type of item (Gold, Silver, Savings, etc) 

and according to most scholars, his wealth has to remain above 

that Nisab level throughout the course of the year. So it is impossible 

for the whole Ummah to have reached the obligation of paying Zakat (Zakah), 

at the onset of Ramada

We should be clear in our minds that Zakat (Zakah) is 

not tied in with the month of Ramadan. An individual can

bring forward his Zakat (Zakah) due date

(notice: not push back), in order to take advantage of 

the multifold blessings of Ramadan. In fact, to make 

it easy on the recipients whose needs have to be met,

         one might chose Ramadan for the extra Sadaqa he gives out.

Finally, Zakat (Zakah) is not simply the calculation of 

your dues on your Gold and Silver ornaments. Its scope and 

implication is wide-ranging. As such, it requires us to be diligent and 

aware of various details relating to our context and various forms of wealth. 

At the minimum, a learned scholar should be consulted.

Imam Jafer As-Sadiq (as) said: 

"Allah shall ward off 70 kinds of Calamities 

          from one who gives Charity in the month of Ramadan."

Eid Mubarak

Eid Mubarak To All of You

 

Laylatul Qadr or Night of Power

 It is important that we first understand the significance of LAYLATUL QADR 

in order that we know what sort of 'ingredients' are required for our preparation 

to reach the Ultimate Goal which is earning the pleasure of Allah (SWT).

What is Laylatul Qadr or Night of Power therefore?

You are all aware of its importance so I will just briefly re-run through it. 

In surah Al-Qadr Allah (SWT) clearly states:

"Surely We revealed it (the Holy Quran) on the grand night. And what will make 

you comprehend what the grand night. The grand night is better than a thousand 

months. The angels and Gabriel descend in it by the permission of their Lord for 

every affair, Peace! It is till the break of the morning." 

Holy Quran (97:1-5)

Allah (SWT) is inviting all the believers for a Divine feast; the invitation 

                              has been brought by the messengers. Allah (SWT) is the host, his 

most favorite angels are the servants and the believers are the guests. 

The table is spread with Divine blessings containing all sorts of rewards and favors. 

Though the eyes cannot see them nor the ears hear them not the human hearts 

imagine them, yet the bounties are all kept in readiness to be awarded to 

the guests in accordance to his/her actions.

                  which Laylatul Qadr is a blessed night because the Almighty brings down during 

it goodness, bliss, and forgiveness for His servants. It is a feast which has come 

with a message that shows one the way to achieve happiness in both the worlds. 

Laylatul Qadr is a feast for the spirit, a feast of worship and prayers.

Ahadith indicate that the fate of every believer for the coming year is decreed 

on this night. When our Prophet Mohammad (saw) was asked how man could 

enjoy the favors and good grace of proximity to, and mercy of, Allah (SWT) 

                      he quoted Prophet Moosa / Musa / Moses (peace be upon him) supplication:

"Oh My God, I seek proximity to You; He (Allah) said: Proximity to Me is for him

 who stays awake on Laylatul Qadr.

Oh My God, I am in need of Your Mercy; He (Allah) said: My Mercy is for him 

who shows mercy to the poor on Laylatul Qadr.

Oh My God, I am in need of the passport to cross the bridge; He (Allah) said: 

that is for him who give alms on Laylatul Qadr.

Oh My God, I am in need of the trees in Paradise and their fruits; 

He (Allah) said: that is for him who seeks forgiveness on Laylatul Qadr.

Oh My God, I seek deliverance from fire; He (Allah) said: that is for him 

who remembers Allah on Laylatul Qadr.

Oh My God, I seek Your good pleasure; He (Allah) said: that is for him 

who says a two Rakat prayer on Laylatul Qadr."

On another occasion Prophet Moosa / Musa / Moses (peace be upon him) said: 

"Oh My God, are You far away that I shout at You, or are You near that 

I whisper to You?" He (Allah) said: "O Musa, I am sitting together with you!"

What do we therefore have to remind ourselves about Laylatul Qadr?

                           A unique once in a year opportunity to do a life times worth of activity.

We have to remind ourselves about Laylatul Qadr that is:

               A unique once in a year opportunity to do a life times worth of activity.

A once in a year occasion for influencing our future destiny - "QADR" - Taqdeer.

Full of long lasting blessings.The night of unsurpassed grandeur 

when the absolute Grand God revealed the Grand Quran through 

the Grand Wahy - Jibreel into the heart of the Grand Prophet Mohammad (saw).

The Ma'sumeen have explained to us that God in his infinite wisdom 

had planned the system of the universe in such a way that every persons 

destiny will be determined on a yearly basis in the angelic spheres through 

the agency of the Imam of the age. Who is the leader and focus of 

the whole spiritual world this gives MANKIND a unique opportunity to 

influence his own future (gain, loss, health, sickness, richness, poverty, etc 

by performing certain acts, e.g. Dua, Salat, Sadaqah, Jihad, acquiring knowledge, 

Holy Quran recitation etc.

The night when the whole multitude of angels and the Great Spirit (Ruh) 

descend on earth, greeting and praying for the believers and 

conveying messages to the Imam of age.

Do we than still need to PREPARE OURSELVES FOR LAYLATUL QADR 

after knowing its significance?

Yes, Let us imagine for a moment that we are invited for a special feast 

by the president of our country, who also tells us in advance that he 

is going to reward us with magnificent gifts as per the way we present 

and behave ourselves during the feast - What would we do?

After the initial euphoria, we would leave no stone unturned to present 

ourselves in the best possible manner. Preparations of what to wear, 

how to get there, what will I speak with the president. If I have 

to go through his secretary what will I say to him, what sort of gifts 

will I take with me, what sort of conversation I have with him, all 

this and more will be thought about, rehearsed and re-rehearsed. 

Correct me if I am wrong!

All this 'tension' in honor of an invitation from the President of a country. 

Laylatul Qadr is an invitation form the President of all Presidents, 

The Supreme One. Do we need to make preparations for this night?

Undoubtedly, we must start our preparations way ahead of time, 

after all going by human nature (Fitra), there is more than profit that 

can be got from this feast of Laylatul Qadr unless out of sheer 

carelessness we end up amongst those negligent and idle ones, 

who do not achieve anything except tiredness, loss and eternal doom, 

who will gain nothing except regret and cry out aloud on the day of 

Reckoning:

"Ah! Woe is me! In that I neglected (my duty) towards Allah." - 

Holy Quran (39:56)

What sorts of Pre-preparations are needed before the 

advent of this grand Laylatul Qadr?

Jibreel was asked; "What has the Almighty Allah (SWT) done on 

this night with the wishes of the believers among the nation of 

Prophet Mohammad (saw)?" He answered, "The Almighty Allah (SWT) 

has looked upon them on this night and forgiven them, all of them, 

except the following: "One who is addicted to drinking, 

One who severs his ties with his kin, and One who is a trouble-maker."

We have been advised to beseech Allah (SWT) during the whole year 

before the arrival of the Night of Power or Laylatul Qadr, to keep us 

alive for this night:

1) To bestow upon us the Tawfiq to remain vigilant during this night 

and pray for blessings and forgiveness.

                    2) To bless us that we are able to do the best of deeds on this night.

3) To comprehend fully the importance of this night which is superior 

to one thousand months.

                   4) To pray that we can become one of the favorites of Allah (SWT) 

and be blessed with His love, learning, nearness, union, pleasure, 

together with health, happiness, and welfare.

             5) To yearn and act so that Allah (SWT) be so pleased with us in such 

a manner, that after this night He would never be displeased us again.

             6) To pray that our Aimma especially the Imam-ul-Asr (as) be pleased with us 

intercede on our behalf.

How to prepare oneself for The Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr)?

(I) Preparing Mentally:

Strive to keep Allah (SWT) at the fore of one's mind the whole night long.

All the Ibadah (worship) done should be recited in the state of being 

completely awake, aware, conscious, and with a live heart. 

If one feels that one will not be able to concentrate then start reciting 

from now "We are from Allah and towards Him is our return." - 

Holy Quran (2:156) 

for it is considered as a tragedy if one can not in this night receive 

the divine grace in supplications. "Their prayers ascend upwards 

and reaches Allah (SWT), their words are accepted, and Allah (SWT) 

loves to listen to their prayers the way a mother likes her own child."

Is not it shameful that the prayers which ascend upwards should 

be recited from the tip of the tongue, while the heart and soul remain 

occupied in worldly affairs?

Many a times, one feels that one cannot 'properly' perform a certain 

Ibadah and so decided to forgo it. One should not do listen to 

this 'waswas' instead, one should perform it and more, for acceptance 

lies in the Hand of the Mercy of Allah (SWT).

(II) Preparing Physically:

For worshipping in this night a suitable place, dress, and perfume 

should be arranged in advance (comfortable dress which does not distract us).

Paying alms during this night - to the people who really deserve 

financial support.

Follow the translation of the Duas in order to understand what you 

are reciting for lutf is only got when one knows what one is reciting.

(III) Preparing Spiritually:

Increase ones eagerness for receiving the promised bounties and blessings.

Select worships and deeds which are more in harmony with ones mood.

When one stands for prayer, or any other Ibadah, to briefly spare a moment 

to think about the wisdom of that action/its meaning etc for e.g. 

Why am I standing towards Makkah? To realize that when I stand on 

my two feet, it indicates my hope and fear about the acceptance of 

my worship.

Resorting (Tawassul) to Ahlul Bayt (as) - With persistence, supplicating 

in a polite and soft manner, with words and content arousing their 

sympathies, should beseech them for bestowing upon us 

the grace of being vigilant during this night.

Crying and Shedding Tears: that during these nights ones fear, 

humility, tears, crying, anguish and lamentation be increased as 

much as possible. 


The Learned Scholar Hajj Mirza Javad Agha Maliki Tabrizi (ra) 

in his book (Suluk-i Arifan) Spiritual Journey of the Mystics tell us 

that One of the best method is that one should tie ones hands around 

ones neck; should pour dirt upon ones head; should place ones 

head against a wall; sometimes one should stand and sometimes 

one should cry; should imagine oneself at the scene of Judgment Day; 

and the way sinners are rebuked with harshness, then one should 

imagine and be scared least Allah (the Glorious, the Exalted) orders: 

"Lay hold on him, then put a chain on him, then cast him into 

the burning fire, then thrust him into a chain the length of 

which is seventy cubits." 

- Holy Quran (69:30-32)

Then one should cry: "O' Thou are the most compassionate, and Thou 

Who are the shelter of unsheltered ones!" "Where is Your vast blessing? 

Where is Your infinite forgiveness? Where are Your love and benevolence?" 

Ask for forgiveness of past sins in the most appealing manner with 

a promise to try never to return to the sins again - 

a TAWBA in every sense of the word Present ones requests before 

the Almighty Allah (SWT) with full hope that they will be answered.

Prophet Mohammad (saw) when asked what one should invoke Allah (SWT) 

during these nights, said: "Ask for your safety (here and in 

the hereafter)".