Islam teaches us that giving charity has superior rewards associated with it. It is a chance for the believers to extend their hand and help the underprivileged. The Prophet Mohammad (SAW) once said:
“The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (Al-Tirmidhi)
Giving charity acts as a reminder for us Muslims to fulfill the needs of those who are not as privileged as you for the sake of humanity. Many organizations come up with charitable initiatives, not just during Ramadan but throughout the whole year.
These are in the form of iftar camps, care packaging with all the food essentials, suhoor drives, etc. Play your part and give money to these organizations or, better yet, become a part of the initiatives by personally participating in charity and food drives.
What would seem more fulfilling than looking at those tears of joy and smiles just because of the little effort you put in, right? For you, it might just be $20, but for the needy, these $20 can buy happiness that will last a long time. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
“Upper hand is better than the lower hand. The upper hand is the hand of a giver, and the lower hand is the hand of a beggar.” (Sahih Bukhari)
Contributing to charity initiatives is a great way to spend your hard-earned money for the right cause. However, one should not forget that charity begins at home. Consider giving your house help a significant amount or a care package.
This amount will not only lift their spirits up but also increase their likelihood of making ends meet for themselves. It will strengthen their belief that Allah (SWT) sends help in the form of his generous people, in this case, you!
The more we give, the wealthier we will be - both in this world and the life after it. Becoming a source of relief for His creation also helps us seek redemption for the sins we have committed and increases our blessings.
There is no doubt that charity eases hardship. In this world, the act of giving charity can become an armor that protects you against the evil eye (which has detrimental effects).
Prevention is better than cure. Therefore, one should not just wait for a calamity or a test from Allah to give our charity. Give out a sum every month simply out of good intentions and earn rewards from Allah (SWT). Allah (SWT) states in the Holy Quran:
“Those who spend their wealth [in Allah's way] by night and by day, secretly and publicly - they will have their reward with their Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.” (Surah Baqarah:274)
You will notice how Allah (SWT) will ease some things for you once you allocate a share of your earnings for charity, also known as sadaqah, especially during Ramadan.
Islam has also made Zakat (2.5% of extra wealth) compulsory for privileged believers. Show gratitude to Allah for an increase in your earning or valuables by giving charity. It serves as a reminder that every blessing we have in this world comes to us by His will. If we get blessed with more, that means Allah wants us to spend in his way more.
Charity comes in many forms. Every deed that is a source of relief for the other is considered charity. It includes simple gestures such as smiling towards others to providing monetary benefits for the needy.
Treating people with kindness and being there for them when they need your help the most is charity as well. Even planting a tree counts as a charity because someone may benefit from its shade, and you receive its reward. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
“A charity is due for every joint in each person on every day the sun comes up: to act justly between two people is a charity; to help a man with his mount, lifting him onto it or hoisting up his belongings onto it, is a charity; a good word is a charity, and removing a harmful thing from the road is a charity.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim)
Let us hope to make this Ramadan more fruitful for ourselves by giving in the way of Allah (SWT) in both monetary and non-monetary forms.
