15. Charity other than Zakaat
Zakaat is a compulsory obligation. One should not feel released from all other acts of charity once Zakaat is paid. There are many avenues of charity in which it is essential to spend on various occasions. After having paid Zakaat, one should not become heartless and refrain from other acts of charity.
1. Hadhrat Fatimah Bint Qais (radhiyallahu anha) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"Undoubtedly, besides the obligation of Zakaat, there are other rights too in wealth."
In substantiation of this claim, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) recited the aayat:
" Laysal birrah an tu..........
There is no virtue in turning your faces to the east or west, but (true) virtue is for one who brings Imaan in Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Hook and the Prophets; and spends wealth, despite his love of it, on relatives. The orphans, the destitute, the wayfarers, the beggars and (in freeing) slaves; and establishes Salaat and pays Zakaat, (`and virtue is for) those who, when they make a promise, fulfill it and are patient in adversity and calamity, and in battle. Those are the ones who have spoken the truth, and those are the ones who are Muttaqoon (Allah Fearing)
In this aayat Allah Ta'ala mentions Zakaat as well as other forms of charity for special occasions. (Tirmithi, Ibn Majah, Daarami)
Assisting those in debt, lending things to another and other forms of voluntary charitable acts come within the scope of the above ayat and hadith. Things of little value (i.e. in terms of material wealth) should be merely given without asking for their return.
2. Allah Ta'ala says in the Qur'aan Shareef:
"Spend in the Path of Allah." (Surah Baqarah)
3. "Who will give a beautiful loan to Allah (i.e. with sincerity)..." (Surah
Baqarah)
4.”You can never attain perfect piety until you spend from that (wealth) which you love. Whatever you spend, Allah knows well." (Surah Aale Imraan)
5. "That (Jannat) has been prepared for those who fear Allah, such people who spend (in the Path of Allah) in prosperity and in adversity." (Surah Aale Imraan)
6. "Verily, Allah Ta'ala has purchased the lives and the wealth of the Believers in return for Jannat." (Surah Taubah)
7. "And, whatever they spend, be it little or much (in the Path of Allah) and whatever distance they travel (in the path of Allah) are recorded for them so that Allah grants them the best of rewards for their deeds." (Surah Taubah)
8. "Fulfill the rights of relatives, of the needy and the traveller.” (Surah Bani Isra-eel)
9. “Whatever you spend (in the Path of Allah), He will compensate” (Surah Saba)
10. ”They feed the orphans and the captives because of love for Allah." (Surah Dahr)
Besides these verses there are many other aayaat, which also speak about the virtue of spending in the Path of Allah Ta'ala, other than by means of Zakaat. Some Ahadith in this regard will now be cited.
1. Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"Allah Ta'ala says: '0 son of Adam! Spend (in good works), I too shall spend on you." (Bukhaari, Muslim)
2. Hadhrat Jaabir (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"Beware of the love of wealth. Such greed has destroyed people before you." (Muslim)
3. Hadhrat Abu Saeed (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"Spending one dirham in one's lifetime is superior to spending a hundred dirhams at the time of one's death." (Abu Dawood)
4. Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"Hasten in charity, for charity prevents the affliction of calamities.”
5. Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"Whoever spends (in the Path of Allah) one date from a halaal earning - and Allah accepts only what is halaal - Allah takes it up in His Right Hand. Allah Ta'ala then increases it manifold until it becomes as huge as a mountain." (Bukhaari, Muslim)
6. Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah
(Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"Charity does not decrease wealth." (Muslim)
As a consequence of giving charity in the Path of Allah, one's wealth will increase either by way of an increase in income or by barkat in one's wealth.
7. Hadhrat Abu Thar (radhiyallahu anhu narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"Never hold any goodness in contempt even if it he to the extent of meeting a brother Muslim with a smile." (Muslim)
8. Hadhrat Abu Musa Ash'ari (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"Sadaqah in varying degrees is an obligation on every Muslim."
The people asked: "If someone has no wealth to give'?"
Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"Earn something (by one's labour); use what has been earned on yourself as well as in Sadaqah."
The people asked: ”If someone is unable to work?"
Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"Let him help (by means of his labour) someone in need and difficulty."
The people said: "If he is unable to do even this?"
Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Let him show someone a good act."
The people said: "If he is unable to do even this?"
Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"Let him not harm anyone. This too is Sadaqah for him." (Bukhaari, Muslim)
Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) described these acts of virtue as Sadaqah (charity) because of the benefit for others. Like Sadaqah benefits others so too do the acts mentioned in this hadith. These acts have been figuratively described as Sadaqah. The actual meaning of Sadaqah is to spend wealth in the Path of Allah Ta'ala.
Refraining from harming others has been described in the hadith as an act of benefit to mankind. This description indicates the great importance of serving others and abstaining from doing anything detrimental and hurtful to people. This teaching is indeed a great Rahmat (blessing).
9. Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said.
"Every joint (in the human body) is liable for one act of charity daily. Justice meted out between two persons is also sadqa. Assisting someone to mount a vehicle or helping in loading his luggage are also acts of Sadaqah. A good word (which benefits others) is also Sadqa. Removing a harmful object (e.g. thorn, peel, etc.) from the road is also Sadqa." (Bukhaari, Muslim)
Explaining the above Hadith, another Hadith also in Muslim Shareef states that in the human body are 360 joints; whoever renders this number of good deeds daily, has saved himself from Jahannum.
10. Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
“A noble form of Sadqa is to lend a camel (or any other animal) to a person who will obtain the benefit of its milk in the morning and the evening. (After having milked the animal in the morning and the evening, it is returned to its owner).” (Bukhaari, Muslim)
11. Hadhrat Anas (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"It is an act of Sadqa for a Muslim to plant a tree or sow the land from which people, birds and animals derive benefit." (Bukhaari, Muslim)
12. Hadhrat Jaabir (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"Whatever is stolen from it (the farm) is also Sadqa for the owner (of the produce)." (Muslim)
Although the owner did not sow his lands for this purpose, nor does he regard theft of his goods as a benefit for him, nevertheless, it is recorded as Sadqa for him.
13. Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that a prostitute was forgiven because she took pity on a dog, which was on the verge of death due to thirst. She removed her leather sock and with her scarf lowered in into a well. In this way she obtained water, which she gave to the dog to drink. Some asked:
"Do we obtain thawaab for service to animals as well?"
Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) replied:
"There is thawaab in (rendering service to) every living creature." (Bukhaari, Muslin')
This applies to animals that are not harmful. Elsewhere in the Ahadith permission has been granted to kill animals, which are harmful.
14. Hadhrat Abdullah lbn Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) replied:
"Render ibaadat to Rahmaan (ALLAH the most Merciful); feed (the poor) and be in the habit of making salaam (whether the Muslim is known or unknown to you) you will then enter Jannah in safety." (Tirmithi, Ibn Majah)
I5. Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"Smiling when meeting a Muslim is also an act of Sadaqah. Commanding goodness and prohibiting evil are also acts of Sadaqah. Directing a lost person on the right road is also Sadaqah for you. Assisting the blind is also Sadaqah for you. Removing a stone, thorn, etc., from the road is also Sadqah for you. Pouring water from your bucket into the bucket of a brother Muslim is also Sadqah."
This hadith in fact explains that every act or service rendered to the creation of Allah Ta'ala, no matter how slight or insignificant that act may seem, is a deed acceptable by Allah Ta'ala. All such acts of service are beneficial and one obtains thawaab therefore.
16. Hadhrat Sa'd Bin Ubaadah (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that when his mother died he enquired from Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) in regard to Sadqah of much significance, which he wished to render on behalf of his mother.
Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Water."
Thus Hadhrat Sa'd Bin Ubaadah (radhiyallahu anhu) arranged for a well to be dug for the use of people. The intention for digging the well was that Allah Ta'ala bestow the thawaab to his (Sa'd's) mother. (Abu Dawood, Nisaai)
17. Hadhrat Abu Saeed (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"Allah Ta'ala will bestow the green (luxurious) garments of Jannat to the one who clothed a Muslim who had no clothes. Allah Ta'ala will give of the fruits of Jannat to the one who fed a hungry Muslim. Allah Ta'ala will award the finest and pure drink of Jannat to the one who gave a thirsty Muslim something to drink.” (Abu Dawood, Tirmithi)
1 8. Hadhrat Anas Ibn Malik (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"There are seven things, the thawaab of which continuously accrues to a person even after death. Deeni knowledge which was taught to anyone; a canal dug (i.e. some form of irrigation), a well dug; a tree planted (from which people or animals derive benefit); a Musjid built; a copy of the Qur'aan left (for someone to recite); and, children who will make dua for forgiveness of their deceased parents." (Targheeb, Bazzaaz, Abu Nuaim)
A narration in Ibn Majah mentions Sadqah, Musaafir Khaanah (a place where travellers stop over) instead of a well and a tree as is mentioned in the above hadith.
19. Hadhrat Sa'd (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that on one occasion when Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) distributed some wealth among the people, he (Sa'd) requested Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to give also to a certain person. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) replied:
"At times I give to a man while another (to whom no gift is made) is more beloved to me. But l give the man (whom I do not love as much as the other) for fear of him not remaining firm on the Deen if not given. Allah will therefore (i.e. if this person is not firm on the Deen), thrust him onto his face into Jahannum." (Muslim)
This hadith establishes the significance of assisting converts. Initially their Imaan is not grounded and they are unable to undergo much difficulty. The danger exists of them reneging from Imaan if they experience much difficulty after having embraced Islam. To aid them by means of wealth until their Imaan becomes strong is meritorious.
20. Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said:
"I take oath by that Being Who sent me with the true Deen! Allah will not punish on that Day of Qiyaamah the one who had mercy on the orphan; who spoke tenderly with the orphan; who took pity on the orphan." (Targheeb, Tibraani)
This hadith establishes the great significance of aiding orphanages.
All narrations of Qur'aan and Hadith enumerated in this section illustrate the tremendous importance and significance, which the Deen places on service to creation. The narrations mention many individual acts of service, which are beneficial to others as well as to those who render them. One more aayat and one more hadith, which embrace all service to creation, will be cited here.
Qur'aanic aayat:
"Assist one another in (acts of) righteousness and piety. " (Surah Maaidah)
Hadith:
”The most beloved to Allah among mankind is the one who is of the
greatest benefit to mankind." (Targheeb, Isbahaani)
May Allah Ta'ala grant all taufeeq.
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