Charitable giving in the Islamic faith
The culture of charitable giving reaches back to all of the Abramic faiths as Jews, Christians and Muslims alike place an emphasis
on social responsibility and selflessness. In Islam particularly it is considered the duty of every believing person who is capable to
give funds to those who are in need.
In the Torah and the Bible Jews and Christians are encouraged to provide for those who have nothing and for those who are
suffering. However, at the time of Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), God established critical rules and guidelines for the
distribution of charity and established a stronger mandate of charity.
For much of the world, the Charitable Giving Culture was established at that time with the advent and completion of Islam as it
does not just leave charity as a one-time task but Islam commands its followers to establish a lifestyle of charity.
In the modern days it is difficult for Muslims and non-Muslims alike to find those who are in need on an individual basis. That is
why it is important for organizations like The Zakat Foundation of America to exist. These organizations help people implement
the charity that God has asked him or her to do. It is through these organizations that charitable giving not only reaches the proper
recipients, but also ensuring that all the funds are maximized.
The requirement for giving
Firstly is that Charitable giving for Muslims is an obligation.
Secondly that beyond this obligatory charity there are other acts of charity which are strongly encouraged. We are taught that acts
of charity and piety eliminate sin from our lives to help purify our souls for the Day of Resurrection. It is for this goal that a Muslim
should give and continue establishing methods of charity for himself or herself so that there will be a balance of good deeds to
more than outweigh the bad on the Day of Judgement.
Thirdly is that creating the culture of charitable giving does not happen overnight; one must practice the mindset in daily tasks.
One should be giving of himself or herself on a day to day basis with family, friends, co-workers and whomever he or she meets.
When one establishes this kind of attitude then charitable giving of the monetary kind will come freely.
Finally is that charitable giving is a mercy that we can do toward other humans in this life. God is merciful to us in all that he has
provided in this life, it is a duty for us to share that mercy upon others. No matter what religion one clings to, this aspect cannot be
denied.
The spirit of giving
One should always be expressive of how joyful it is to give, there should be a celebration involved with giving AND receiving charity.
One should refer to the giver and the receiver as friends, neighbors, brethren and other such terms of closeness. The act of charity
draws the giver and receiver together in a special sort of bond that cannot be duplicated in any other way. This is the type of
connection that should be focused on.
Beyond words, if the receiver of funds is greeted with a warm smile and a kind word in conjunction with the giving it makes him or
her much more at ease. Consider that for many people it is a blow to one’s pride to accept charity. Remove this aspect by giving
charity in the spirit of sharing as one would with family or close friends.
Showing compassion
Avoid any sort of phrases that place the receiver of donated goods and services in a state of utter despair. The recipient of funds or
goods should never be made to feel like they are any less than the giver.
The Giver should recognize that he or she were spared from the state of the giver and that should the roles be reversed, the giver
of charity would not wish to be looked down upon. Most recipients of charity are not hopeless or helpless individuals, they are
merely people who need a helping hand to get moving in the right direction and become prosperous.
For more information
If one wishes to study the aspects of charitable giving culture within Islam then one should read the word of God as expressed in
the Qur’an and the teachings of his last Messenger, Muhammad (PBUH) which are called Hadith. There have been many great
scholars throughout history who have taken the laws and specifics of charitable giving and have expressed the philosophy through
poetry and beautiful lectures. Among these are Al-Ghazzali, Rumi, Ibn Tirhmidi and many many others.
The culture of charitable giving reaches back to all of the Abramic faiths as Jews, Christians and Muslims alike place an emphasis
on social responsibility and selflessness. In Islam particularly it is considered the duty of every believing person who is capable to
give funds to those who are in need.
In the Torah and the Bible Jews and Christians are encouraged to provide for those who have nothing and for those who are
suffering. However, at the time of Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), God established critical rules and guidelines for the
distribution of charity and established a stronger mandate of charity.
For much of the world, the Charitable Giving Culture was established at that time with the advent and completion of Islam as it
does not just leave charity as a one-time task but Islam commands its followers to establish a lifestyle of charity.
In the modern days it is difficult for Muslims and non-Muslims alike to find those who are in need on an individual basis. That is
why it is important for organizations like The Zakat Foundation of America to exist. These organizations help people implement
the charity that God has asked him or her to do. It is through these organizations that charitable giving not only reaches the proper
recipients, but also ensuring that all the funds are maximized.
The requirement for giving
Firstly is that Charitable giving for Muslims is an obligation.
Secondly that beyond this obligatory charity there are other acts of charity which are strongly encouraged. We are taught that acts
of charity and piety eliminate sin from our lives to help purify our souls for the Day of Resurrection. It is for this goal that a Muslim
should give and continue establishing methods of charity for himself or herself so that there will be a balance of good deeds to
more than outweigh the bad on the Day of Judgement.
Thirdly is that creating the culture of charitable giving does not happen overnight; one must practice the mindset in daily tasks.
One should be giving of himself or herself on a day to day basis with family, friends, co-workers and whomever he or she meets.
When one establishes this kind of attitude then charitable giving of the monetary kind will come freely.
Finally is that charitable giving is a mercy that we can do toward other humans in this life. God is merciful to us in all that he has
provided in this life, it is a duty for us to share that mercy upon others. No matter what religion one clings to, this aspect cannot be
denied.
The spirit of giving
One should always be expressive of how joyful it is to give, there should be a celebration involved with giving AND receiving charity.
One should refer to the giver and the receiver as friends, neighbors, brethren and other such terms of closeness. The act of charity
draws the giver and receiver together in a special sort of bond that cannot be duplicated in any other way. This is the type of
connection that should be focused on.
Beyond words, if the receiver of funds is greeted with a warm smile and a kind word in conjunction with the giving it makes him or
her much more at ease. Consider that for many people it is a blow to one’s pride to accept charity. Remove this aspect by giving
charity in the spirit of sharing as one would with family or close friends.
Showing compassion
Avoid any sort of phrases that place the receiver of donated goods and services in a state of utter despair. The recipient of funds or
goods should never be made to feel like they are any less than the giver.
The Giver should recognize that he or she were spared from the state of the giver and that should the roles be reversed, the giver
of charity would not wish to be looked down upon. Most recipients of charity are not hopeless or helpless individuals, they are
merely people who need a helping hand to get moving in the right direction and become prosperous.
For more information
If one wishes to study the aspects of charitable giving culture within Islam then one should read the word of God as expressed in
the Qur’an and the teachings of his last Messenger, Muhammad (PBUH) which are called Hadith. There have been many great
scholars throughout history who have taken the laws and specifics of charitable giving and have expressed the philosophy through
poetry and beautiful lectures. Among these are Al-Ghazzali, Rumi, Ibn Tirhmidi and many many others.
| Cultural Bridge Religion: Muslim: Charitable Giving |
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| Thank you to The Zakat Foundation of America for their extraordinary help in compiling this page. |
| Important links about charitable giving |
The Zakat Foundation of America
www.thezakat.org has a comprehensive
Zakat (Charitable giving) resource as well
as a detailed Zakat Calculator to help
Muslims determine the required giving
outside of voluntary charity. The Zakat
Foundation of America is also a highly
reputable source of charitable giving and
provides the unique opportunity of Sadaqah
Jariyah (continuous charity) for Muslim
donors.
Search Truth
www.searchtruth.com provides many
online resources for people who wish to
know more about charity from the Islamic
perspective.
Islam Online
www.islamonline.net has an excellent
resource of Q&A with Imams online where
one may find many questions about Charity
given in-depth answers.
www.thezakat.org has a comprehensive
Zakat (Charitable giving) resource as well
as a detailed Zakat Calculator to help
Muslims determine the required giving
outside of voluntary charity. The Zakat
Foundation of America is also a highly
reputable source of charitable giving and
provides the unique opportunity of Sadaqah
Jariyah (continuous charity) for Muslim
donors.
Search Truth
www.searchtruth.com provides many
online resources for people who wish to
know more about charity from the Islamic
perspective.
Islam Online
www.islamonline.net has an excellent
resource of Q&A with Imams online where
one may find many questions about Charity
given in-depth answers.
| © 2008 Max Impact Corporation, PO Box 70233, Rochester Hills, MI 48307, USA |