The Islamic Merits of Giving, Even when in difficulty

The Lost Art Of Giving

Being selfless is a lost art, that only a very conscious few have. Many only care of the state of their own affairs, without being wary of other people’s difficulty and struggles. Islam teaches us to be selfless and love those around us, especially those in need of help. Allah praises those who give for His sake in a profound verse in Surah Ali-Imran Verse 134:

ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ فِى ٱلسَّرَّآءِ وَٱلضَّرَّآءِ وَٱلْكَـٰظِمِينَ ٱلْغَيْظَ وَٱلْعَافِينَ عَنِ ٱلنَّاسِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

“They are those who donate in prosperity and adversity, control their anger, and pardon others. And Allah loves the good-doers.”

These are the people of goodness. They would give in any circumstance they were in; ie both in hardship and in ease.

Keep your intentions pure

It is very important for one who wants to give in the cause of Allah, to always renew intentions. One should be wary as giving without sincerity – and worse – for status or wanting to be known to be a generous person, will not get paradise. This stern warning is mentioned in a petrifying hadith:

[Another] will be a man whom Allah had made rich and to whom He had given all kinds of wealth. He will be brought and Allah will make known to him His favours and he will recognize them. [The Almighty] will say: And what did you do about them? He will say: I left no path [untrodden] in which You like money to be spent without spending in it for Your sake. He will say: You have lied – you did but do so that it might be said [of you]: He is open-handed. And so it was said. Then he will be ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire. (Muslim).

Multiplied Rewards

In Surah Al-Baqarah, Allah gives us a beautiful parable on charity:

مَّثَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَٰلَهُمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنۢبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِى كُلِّ سُنۢبُلَةٍۢ مِّا۟ئَةُ حَبَّةٍۢ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ يُضَـٰعِفُ لِمَن يَشَآءُ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ وَٰسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed which grows seven ears; in every ear is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills.” (Surah Al-Baqarah Verse 261)

This verse shows that when you give, it doesn’t reduce your wealth; it plants it. The Prophet SAW also said:

“Charity does not decrease wealth.” (Muslim)

Spend on your family

Spending on the family is the best form of charity, especially when one aids his struggling relative. This is mentioned by the Prophet SAW in multiple hadiths, where he says:

“When a Muslim spends on his family seeking reward from Allah, it is charity for him.”

(Bukhari & Muslim)

There is also, the Hadith:

“Charity given to the poor is charity, but charity given to a relative is two things: charity and upholding ties of kinship.”

(Tirmidhi)

Giving charity or spending on the family is a responsibility and reaps many rewards.

Charity saves you

As much as charity saves many lives, one ought to also remember that charity is also a means to save oneself from evil and calamity. It is an unseen protection to the sincere one, as mentioned in a Hadith of the Prophet SAW:

“Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.”

(Tirmidhi)

Give what you love!

Selflessness is also in giving things in high quality. As Muslims, we do not give scraps of what we have just because we do not want it, but we give what we love, so that the person who receives it, benefits from it as well.

Allah SWT mentions in the Qur’an:

لَن تَنَالُوا۟ ٱلْبِرَّ حَتَّىٰ تُنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ ۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا۟ مِن شَىْءٍۢ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بِهِۦ عَلِيمٌۭ

“You will never attain righteousness until you spend in charity from that which you love.”

(Surah Ali-Imran Verse 92)

Rewards that continue even after death

If you are looking for a way for your rewards to continue even after death, consider charity! This is what is called Sadaqah Jaariyah, and it is mentioned in the Hadith of the Prophet SAW:

“When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.”

(Muslim)

Do not be afraid: Giving won’t make you poor!

The Prophet SAW mentions:

“Charity does not decrease wealth.”

(Muslim)

One should not worry when he gives, as Allah SWT has promised blessing and provision for the Giver.