By Bilal Ahmed Malik

POVERTY next to sickness is the biggest threat to humankind. Extreme poverty has existed everywhere in the world during various stages of history, and still continues to exist in many parts of the world. Islam as the last of the Divine messages of Allah has also taken a very comprehensive view of poverty, and the Quran and Sunnah have recommended numerous measures to alleviate its pain and anguish in a society. Islam encourages its followers to spend money for Allah’s Sake whenever they are capable of doing so, and it stresses on the great virtues of giving a charity.

Thus, of all Islamic virtues emphasised in the Quran, charity is perhaps the one mentioned most frequently. The Holy Book repeatedly enjoins upon Muslims to give generously to the poor, so that inequality of wealth is somewhat eliminated. The Quran states that for Muslims, Prayer and Zakat are of comparable significance. That is why the two are often mentioned side by side. There are innumerable verses in the Quran which urge Muslims to be mindful of the poor, helpless and needy. These verses leave no doubt about the importance of Zakat and Sadaqa for the legal, moral and economic betterment of the Muslim Ummah.

The following are some verses of the Quran that deal with this issue.

“Establish worship, pay the poor due, and bow your heads with those who bow”(Quran2:43).

Pay the poor due, and hold fast to Allah. He is your Protecting Friend. A blessed Patron and a blessed Helper! (Quran 22:78).

In the following verses, those who spend freely in Allah’s cause are being praised by Him.

“The steadfast, and the truthful, and the obedient, those who spend and (hoard not), those who pray for pardon in the watches of the night”. (Quran 3:17).

The following people are yet again mentioned by Allah, as being righteous:

“Such as persevere in seeking their Lord’s countenance and are regular in prayer and spend of that which We bestow upon them secretly and openly, and overcome evil with good. Theirs will be the sequel of the (heavenly) Home.(Quran 13:22).

While putting emphasis on charity the Quran further specifies the categories of people who are to be considered appropriate recipients of generosity.

Following are some verses that explain this point further:

“They ask thee (O Mohammad) what they shall spend. Say: That which ye spend for good (must go) to parents and near kindred and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer. And whatsoever good ye do, lo! Allah is aware of it.(Quran 2 :215).

(“Alms are) for the poor who are straightened for the cause of Allah, who cannot travel in the land (for trade). The unthinking man accounteth them wealthy because of their restraint. Thou shall know them by their mark: They do not beg of men with importunity. And whatsoever good thing ye spend, lo! Allah knoweth it.” (Quran2;273).

In the above mentioned verse the Quran states that “Charity is for those in need.” This is general principle which enjoins us to help people in need, be they good or bad, on the right path or not, Muslims or non-Muslims. We are not supposed to judge in these matters.

The ends in charity, as reiterated here, should be God’s pleasure and our own spiritual good. This verse in the first instance was revealed in Madina, but it is of general applications.

The concept of charity in Islam is thus linked with justice.

It is not limited to the redressal of grievances. It implies apart from the removal of handicaps, the recognition of the right that every human being has to attain the fullness of life.

In the verse below, the Quran clearly specifies the amount that is to be spent in charity and almsgiving.

“And they ask thee what they ought to spend. Say: that which is superfluous.

Thus Allah maketh plain to you (His) revelations, that haply ye may reflect “(Quran 2:219)

Allah provides incentives to people by promising them great rewards, so as to encourage them to practice charity.

“Who is it that will lend unto Allah a goodly loan, so that He may give it increase manifold? Allah straiteneth and enlargeth, Unto him ye will return.”(Quran 2 :245)

There are certain parameters and ethical boundaries set by the Quran that a person must not cross while practising charity.

The act of charity must be accompanied by humility and must not be executed as a favour to the one receiving it. The following verses elucidate this point.

“O ye who believe! Render not vain your almsgiving by reproach and injury, like him who spendeth his wealth only to be seen by men and believeth not in Allah and the Last Day.

“His likeness is as the likeness of a rock wheron is dust of earth; a rainstorm smiteth it, leaving it smooth and bare. They have no control of aught of that which they have gained. Allah guideth not the disbelieving folk.” (Quran 2:262, 263, 264.)

The Quran also brings to light the importance of spending only that which is good, towards a charitable cause. Most individuals give away in charity only items which they deem not fit for their own use. Allah warns against this attitude.

“O ye who believe. Spend of the good things which ye have earned, and of that which we bring forth from the earth for you, and seek not the bad (with intent) to spend thereof (in charity) when you would not take it for yourselves save with disdain; and know that Allah is Absolute Owner of Praise.” (Quran 2:267).

“Ye will not attain unto piety until ye spend of that which ye love. And whatsoever ye spend, Allah is aware thereof.”(Quran.3: 92)

The Quran also recommends that charity be given privately, not only to prevent engendering arrogance on the part of the person giving alms, but also to preserve the interest of the receiver, as it might cause the latter embarrassment.

“If ye publish your almsgiving, it is well, but if ye hide it and give it to the poor, it will be better for you, and will atone for some of your ill-deeds. Allah is informed of what ye do.”(Quran 2:271)

The Quran in above mentioned verse, warns us against spending “to be seen of men”. This is false charity.

Alms-giving with this motive is worse than not giving away anything at all.

Allah also urges creditors to forego their debts as almsgiving, if the borrowers are experiencing hardship. This is indicated by the following verses:

“And if the debtor is in straightened circumstances, then (let there be) postponement to (the time of) ease;. and that which ye remit the debt as almsgiving would be better for you if ye did but know.”(Quran 2: 280).

Charity is a virtue that the Quran urges Muslims to display in times of abundance as well as in times of adversity.

The following verse illustrates this further:

“Those who spend (of that which Allah hath given them) in ease and in adversity, those who control their wrath and are forgiving toward mankind;Allah loveth the good”(Quran 3:134).

Last but not least; Muslims are urged not to let anything distract them from the remembrance of Allah, the performance of Salat and the paying of Alms.

“Men whom neither merchandise nor sale beguileth from the remembrance of Allah and constancy in prayer and paying to the poor their due; who fear a day when hearts and eyeballs will be overturned” (Quran 24:37)

From the above verses, it is evident, that the Quran regulates with specific injunctions, the virtues of all Muslims, when they come in giving charity to the poor. Thus honesty and truthfulness demand that a person should act unselfishly.

Unfortunately, the accumulation of worldly riches for one’s own benefit is a common practice, often leading people to succumb to dishonest temptations.

In order for honest charity to be effective it has to be genuine, and not a mere act of expediency resulting from fear or injury or a mere showoff of wealth. Charity must also be a habit of mind, rather than something practiced as a result of a need or something to show off ones wealth.

Since charity is purely for the sake of God, it has value only if something good and valuable is given. It should be lawfully earned or acquired by the giver. It should include such things as are of use and value to others. Charity is, in the words of the Prophet, to place a thing in the palm of God.