“Charity” as mentioned in the Qur’an and the Sunnah

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http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2010/08/05/what-is-the-difference-between-sadaqah-and-zakaat/

http://xeniagreekmuslimah.wordpress.com/2010/03/04/sadaqah-charity-making-a-difference/

What is Zakaah?

• Zakaah in Arabic means growth, blessing and purification. [See Lisaan al-‘Arab, 14/358;, 2/399 ]

• Zakaah means worshipping Allaah by giving that which He has enjoined of different kinds of zakaah to those who are entitled to them, according to the guidelines prescribed in sharee’ah.

What is Sadaqah?

• Sadaqah comes from the word sidq(sincerity), i.e. it is a sign of sincerity of faith on the part of the person who gives it. [See Fath al-Qadeer, 2/399]

• Sadaqah means worshipping Allaah by giving money without that being made obligatory in sharee’ah. The word sadaqah is sometimes used to refer to obligatory zakaah.

Allah, The Exalted, Says that Charity is for…

• (Charity is) for Fuqara (the poor), who in Allah’s Cause are restricted (from travel), and cannot move about in the land (for trade or work). The one who knows them not, thinks that they are rich because of their modesty. You may know them by their mark, they do not beg of people at all. And whatever you spend in good, surely, Allah knows it well.( Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #273)

Allah, The Exalted, is Asking…

• (Have you seen the one who denies the Religion? Such is he who repulses the orphan, and who does not urge others to feed the poor. Woe to worshippers, who are absent-minded to their prayer, those who make a show (of piety), and refuse to render small acts of kindness (towards others). (Al-Ma`un 107: 1-7).

Allah, The Exalted, Commands us to spend:

• Who believe in the Ghaib and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and spend out of what We have provided for them [i.e. give Zakat , spend on themselves, their parents, their children, their wives, etc., and also give charity to the poor and also in Allah's Cause - Jihad]. ( 2:3)

Allah, The Exalted, Says…

• Kind words and forgiving of faults are better than Sadaqah (charity) followed by injury. And Allah is Rich (Free of all needs) and He is Most-Forbearing. (2:263)

Allah, knows it what you spend….

• And whatever you spend for spendings (e.g., in Sadaqah - charity for Allah’s Cause) or whatever vow you make, be sure Allah knows it all. And for the Zalimun (wrong-doers) there are no helpers. ( Al-Baqara, Chapter#2, Verse #270)

The way to increase in this life and the next…

• Allah will destroy Riba (usury) and will give increase for Sadaqat (deeds of charity, alms, etc.) And Allah likes not the disbelievers, sinners. (  Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #276)

Allah, The Exalted, forbids us to boast about our charitable acts:

• O you who believe! Do not render in vain your Sadaqah (charity) by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men, and he does not believe in Allah, nor in the Last Day. His likeness is the likeness of a smooth rock on which is a little dust; on it falls heavy rain which leaves it bare. They are not able to do anything with what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.

Ahadeeth

Even as little as…

• Narrated Abu Huraira Allah's Apostle said, "If one give in charity what equals one date-fruit fro the honestly-earned money and Allah accepts only the honestly earned money --Allah takes it in His right (hand) ar then enlarges its reward for that person (who has given it), as anyone of you brings up his baby horse, so much s that it becomes as big as a mountain Bukhari (Book #24, Hadith #491)

Give while you can…

• Narrated Haritha bin Wahab : I heard the Prophet saying, "O people! Give in charity as a time will come upon you when a person will wander about with his object of charity and will not find anybody to accept it, and one (who will be requested to take it) will say, "If you had brought it yesterday, would have taken it, but to-day I am not in need of it." Bukhari (Book #24, Hadith #492)

Which Charity?

• Narrated Abu Huraira: A man came to the Prophet and asked, "O Allah's Apostle! Which charity is the most superior in reward?" He replied, "The charity which you practice while you are healthy, niggardly and afraid of poverty and wish to become wealthy. Do not delay it to the time of approaching death and then say, 'Give so much to such and such, and so much to such and such.' And it has already belonged to such and such (as it is too late)." (Book #24, Hadith #500)

One of the rewards mentioned…

• Narrated 'Aisha: Allah's Apostle said, "When a woman gives in charity some of the foodstuff (which she has in her house) without spoiling it, she will receive the reward for what she has spent, and her husband will receive the reward because of his earning, and the storekeeper will also have a reward similar to it. The reward of one will not decrease the reward of the others . " Bukhari (Book #24, Hadith #506)

Who has Priority?

• Narrated Abu Huraira : The Prophet (p.b.u.h) said, "The best charity is that which is practiced by a wealthy person. And start giving first to your dependents." (Book #24, Hadith #507)

Is better to give…

• Narrated Hakim bin Hizam The Prophet said, "The upper hand is better than the lower hand (i.e. he who gives in charity is better than him who takes it). One should start giving first to his dependents. And the best object of charity is that which is given by a wealthy person (from the money which is left after his expenses). And whoever abstains from asking others for some financial help, Allah will give him and save him from asking others, Allah will make him self-sufficient." (Book #24, Hadith #508)

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