Sadaqah
- Giving in Charity
By Imam Ghazaali (R.A.H)
SADAQAH (giving in charity) is a deed
designed to eliminate the spiritual malady of miserliness.
But because the heart of the giver is not immune from show and
insincerity, it has been emphasized that Sadaqah should
always be given secretly. Certainly, Riyaa (show)
and miserliness art both very destructive diseases and Sadaqah that
is rendered secretly is a powerful remedy to them.
In the grave, Riyaa assumes
the form of a snake and miserliness takes the appearance of a
scorpion and both are set on the sinner to inflict torture and pain.
Thus, one who desists from spending in the Path of Allah out of
miserliness has, in reality, incurred the punishment of scorpions
and one who spends, but with insincerity, has, in fact opted for the
punishment of snakes.
SADAQAH SHOULD NOT BE
CONSIDERED A FAVOUR
If is quite common to feel that one is rendering a favour on which
one confers a Sadaqah. This is an absolutely erroneous concept and
should be dispelled. At times it is difficult to ascertain the
presence of such malady in one's heart. This can be achieved by
carefully observing the condition of the heart after having given
Sadaqah. For instance, if you expected an expression of gratitude in
return of your Sadaqah, or subsequent to your Sadaqah, the recipient
showed disrespect to you or maltreated you and this infuriated you, then this evidently
explains that the Sadaqah had been by you as a favour.
A CURE FOR THE ABOVE
MALADY
A simple technique to
eradicate such disease is to regard the needy as your benefactor,
for he has become the cause of absolving you from your obligation
and replacing the evil disease of miserliness with generosity.
Because Zakah and Sadaqah have
been imposed to root out the undesirable malady of miserliness, the
Prophet (Peace be upon him), considering the object of its imposition would never
bring the money of such funds into personal use. He would explain
that this is the dirt of (people's) wealth. Hence the Muslim who has
become instrumental in washing away the dirt accumulated in your
wealth has rendered you a favour and not vice versa.
What will your conception be
of a surgeon who wishes to operate free of charge? People pay large
amounts of money to get their physical ailments removed. Why then
are we not grateful to those who remove our spiritual diseases
without even charging us a single penny. Moreover, the physical
ailments are of a transient nature and will at the most, result in
death, whereas the spiritual ones have far reaching effects that
will accompany the person in the Afterlife too.
Because Zakah and Sadaqah play
a chief role in fulfilling the needs of the poor and eliminating
starvation from the world, this is also regarded as a pillar of
Islam.
To facilitate the giving of
Zakah and Sadaqah. Allah has firstly ordered the creation to love
Him and then made the act of giving in charity a yardstick to
measure the extent of love in the hearts of those who claim to do
so. To demonstrate this love, believers are commanded to spend in
the Path of Allah and thereby distinguish themselves from the false
claimants of love.
If a human can sacrifice his
entire possession for the petty love of another then sacrificing a
small proportion of wealth for the Creator should not be felt
as a burden. In fact, a Muslim should be prepared
to give away all his possessions.
THOSE WHO DO SPEND IN
THE PATH OF ALLAH CAN BE DIVIDED INTO THREE CATEGORIES
The ones who belong to The
highest are those who give away, wholeheartedly everything they
possess thus proving true their claim of love. Abu Bakr Siddeeq (ra)
held this rank, which, on one occasion had brought every content of
his house before the Messenger of Allah. And when asked, '"What have
you left for yourself?" replied, "Allah and His Messenger (saws) "
On this occasion Umar (ra) had also brought his belongings and in
reply to the same question said, "I have left as much as I brought."
Upon hearing the answers of both, the Prophet (saws) said
(addressing the two), "Your ranks are evident from your replies."
The second category consists
of those who, although fail to give away their entire possession,
neither spend unnecessarily on other avenues such as personal
pursuits. Their spending is not unrestricted and liberal at all
times like the first group; rather, they will wait for situations
and needs to arise and when they do their generosity will know no
bounds. They will spend as much as they are capable of spending. Much
of the money they have accumulated stays with them awaiting
opportunities for them to spend
in the Cause of Allah.
The lowest category comprises
those Muslims who suffice on paying their annual due. They will
neither decrease in that nor increase. The ranks of the above
mentioned categories and the degree of their love for Allah can
easily be assessed by their conditions, i.e. how much and how
frequently they spend.
You should endeavour to reach
the highest of these categories. If not possible, you should at
least avoid being classed amongst the lowest. To achieve this, apart
from the obligatory acts, you will need to spend a little everyday.
This will allow you to reach the lower stages of the second
category, rising above the category of the miserly ones.
Muslims who are poor and
unable to spend should not be disheartened by their inability, as
the achievements of the rewards of Sadaqah are not only confined to
giving in charity and helping the poor. They can be attained by
other deeds as well. Any good deed, no matter how small, will
earn them an equivalent reward. Some of these are mentioned below:
--To visit the sick.
--To attend a funeral.
--To assist someone in times of need, such as helping a labourer
carry some of his weight or interceding on someone's behalf.
--To say a good word, such as consoling the grief stricken, or
encouraging a despairing one.
These are all known as acts of
Sadaqah and one does not have to be wealthy to accomplish
them.
THE WISDOM BEHIND
SPENDING SECRETLY
As mentioned before, it is important that when you spend, you should
do so quietly and not publicly. A
Hadith in this regard states. "To spend secretly in the Path of
Allah extinguishes the Anger of Allah." On another occasion, it has
been mentioned, "One who spends with the right hand such that it
even goes unnoticed by the left (i.e. he exercises extreme
sincerity) shall be resurrected among the seven categories of people
who will be under the shade of the Throne of Allah on a day when
there shall be no shade except that one."
But that should not mean
that you wait for the heart to reach that stage in order to
spend, for this is clearly a deception from Shaytaan. You should
continue to spend, regardless of the conditions of your heart and
eventually you will reach your goal and be able to give
wholeheartedly. Until then, Allah will reward you abundantly for
overcoming your desires of withholding the money.
Secondly, spend the best of
your possessions in the Path of Allah. Would it not be inappropriate
to give something to Allah which you yourself dislike? As explained
earlier, such spending has been designed to gauge one's love for the
Creator. Hence your selection of wealth will determine the intensity
of your love for Him. Thirdly, you should spend wholeheartedly. With
respect to this a Hadith states, "(The reward of spending) one
Dirham can exceed (the reward of) one hundred thousand Dirhams;" i.e.
the reward of one who spends wholeheartedly and unrestrictedly will
be multiplied manifold in contrast to one who does not do so.
Fourthly, the avenues of
spending should also be thoughtfully and carefully chosen. In giving
Sadaqah, preference should be given to one who has noble spiritual
qualities over one who does not. If all the good qualities are not
found in a single person then even the possessor of a single quality
will be deserving of your Sadaqah. However, piety and Deeni
knowledge should be given preference above all else. For only a
pious and an 'Aalim (Islamic scholar) will fulfil the prime
objective of the provisions gifted by Allah.
They are the ones who live on
this earth solely to make preparations for the Hereafter and
consider this mortal world to be only a rest house wherefrom the
souls will very soon depart. Hence such persons can surely be
expected to utilize your Sadaqah in the correct avenues. The Prophet
(Peace be upon him) has said, "Feed the pious people."
Quranic Text Regarding Sadaqah
'The believers ... are steadfast in prayers, and in whose wealth
there is a right acknowledged, for the poor and the destitute.
(Qur'an 70:22-24). “That which you give in
usury for increase through the property of (other) people, will have
no increase with Allah: but that which you give for charity, seeking
the Countenance of Allah, (will increase); it is those who will get
a recompense multiplied.” (Qur'an, 30:39)
“Only those who believe in Our Signs,
who when they are recited to them fall down in adoration, and
celebrate the praises of their Rabb (only God and Sustainer), nor
are they (ever) puffed up with pride. They forsake their beds of
sleep, the while they call on their Rabb (only God and Sustainer),
in Fear and Hope. And they spend (in charity) out of the sustenance
which We have bestowed on them. Now no person knows what delights of
the eye are kept hidden (in reserve) for them -- as a reward for
their (good) Deeds. Is then the man who believes no better than the
man who is rebellious and wicked? Not equal are they. For those who
believe and do righteous deeds are Gardens as hospitable Homes, for
their (good) deeds.” (Qur'an, 32:15-19)
“The likeness of those who spend for
Allah’s sake is as the likeness of a grain of corn, it grows seven
ears every single ear has a hundred grains, and Allah multiplies
(increases the reward of) for whom He wills, and Allah is sufficient
for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower).” (Qur’an, 2:261)
"For Muslim men and women, for believing
men and women for devout men and women for true men and women, for
men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who
humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men
and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and
for men and women who engage much in Allah’s remembrance for them
has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward." (Qur’an, 33:35)
“Those who (in charity) spend of their
goods by night and by day, in secret and in public have their reward
with their Rabb (only God and Sustainer). On them shall be no fear
nor shall they grieve.” (Qur'an, 2:274)
Hadith Regarding Sadaqah
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) has said: 'Your
smile for your brother is Sadaqah. Your removal of stones,
thorns or bones from the paths of people is Sadaqah. Your guidance
of a person who is lost is Sadaqah.' (Bukhari)
Abu Hurairah (RA) reported Allah’s Messenger (SAW)
as saying: “Charity does not in any way decrease the wealth and the
servant who forgives, Allah adds to his respect; and the one who
shows humility, Allah elevates him in the estimation (of the
people).” (Muslim) Abu Hurairah (RA)
narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said, "The example of a miser and
the one who gives in charity, is like the example of two men wearing
iron cloaks so tightly that their arms are raised forcibly towards
their collar-bones. So, whenever a charitable person wants to give
in charity, his cloak spreads over his body so much so that it wipes
out his traces. But whenever the miser wants to give in charity, the
rings (of the iron cloak) come closer to each other and press over
his body and his hands get connected to his collar-bones. Abu
Huraira heard the Prophet (SAW) saying, "The miser then tries to
widen it but in vain." (Bukhari)
Qais ibn Abu Hazim narrated that.... Allah’s
Messenger (SAW) said, “A Muslim is rewarded (in the Hereafter) for
whatever he spends except for something that he spends on building.”
(Bukhari)
Mu'aadh bin Jabal (RA) related from the Prophet
(SAW) “Sadaqah extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire.” (Ahmad,
Tirmidhi) Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that
the Prophet (SAW) said, “Every day two angels come down from Heaven
and one of them says, 'O Allah! Compensate every person who spends
in Your cause’, and the other (angel) says, 'O Allah! Destroy every
miser.’” (Bukhari)
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) has said: 'A Muslim does not
plant, or sow anything from which a person, animal or anything eats
but it is considered as Sadaqah from him.' (Bukhari)
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) has said:: “To
smile in the company of your brother is charity. To command to do
good deeds and to prevent others from doing evil is charity. To
guide a person in a place where he can not get astray is charity. To
remove troublesome things like thorns and bones from the road is
charity. To pour water from your jug into the jug of your brother is
charity. To guide a person with defective vision is charity for
you.” (Bukhari) The Prophet (SAW) also said:
“The believer's shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his
Sadaqah.” (Ahmad) Abu Dharr (RA) narrated
that... Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said, “Those who have much wealth
(in this world) will be the least rewarded (in the Hereafter) except
those who do like this and like this (i.e., spend their money in
charity).” (Bukhari) Abu Hurairah (RA)
narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: “Verily what a believer
continues to receive (in the form of reward) for his action and his
virtues after his death is the knowledge which he acquired and then
disseminated; the pious son that he left behind him; or a copy of
the Qur’an which he left as a legacy; or the mosques that he had
built; or the inn that he had built for the wayfarers; or the canal
that he caused to flow, or a sadaqah which he gave out of his
property in the state when he was healthy and alive. (These are the
acts of goodness the reward of which) reaches him even after his
death.” (Tirmidhi, Ibn Maja and Bayhaqi)
Abu Musa narrated that the Prophet (SAW) said,
“Every Muslim has to give in sadaqah (charity).” The people asked,
“O Allah’s Messenger (SAW)! If someone has nothing to give, what
will he do?” He said, “He should work with his hands and benefit
himself and also give in charity (from what he earns).” The people
further asked, “If he cannot do even that?” He replied, “Then he
should help the needy who appeal for help.” Then the people asked,
“If he cannot do that?” He replied, “Then he should perform all that
is good and keep away from all that is evil and this will be
regarded as charitable deeds.” (Bukhari) Abu
Bakr As-Siddiq (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said, “A
crafty one, a miser, and one who keeps reminding people of what he
has given, will not enter Paradise.” (Tirmidhi)
Abu Hurairah narrated that “Abu Dharr said to the
Messenger of Allah, ‘The wealthy people have all the rewards; they
pray as we pray; they fast as we fast; and they have surplus wealth
which they give in charity; but we have no wealth which we may give
in charity.’ Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: ‘Abu Dharr, should I not
teach you phrases by which you acquire the rank of those who excel
you? No one can acquire your rank except one who acts like you.’ He
said, Why not, Allah’s Messenger (SAW)? He said: ‘Exalt Allah say: "Allahu
Akbar" (Allah is Most Great) after each prayer thirty-three times;
and praise Him say: "Alhamdulillah" (Praise be to Allah)
thirty-three times; and glorify Him say: "Subhan Allah" (Glory be to
Allah) thirty-three times; and end it by saying, "La ilâha illallâhu
wahdahu la shareeka lahu, lahul mulku wa lahul hamdu yuhyi wa
yomeetu wa Huwa ‘ala kulli shai’in Qadeer." ( There is no god but
Allah alone, He has no partner, to Him belongs the Kingdom, to Him
praise is due and He has power over everything.) Your sins will be
forgiven, even if they are like the foam of the sea.’” (Abu Dawud) The Prophet (Peace be upon him) has
said: "Sadaqah (charity) does not decrease wealth."
(Muslim) |
