Charity is one of the five pillars of Islam and an important part of worship for Muslims. The existence of countless starving, poor, hungry and destitute Muslims and non-Muslims in the world points to the need for this essential teaching to be put into practice. Giving charity correctly is crucial to both the well-being of the needy as well as the ultimate happiness of the wealthy. The Prophet emphasized this principle repeatedly. Allah says:

مَّثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ حَبَّةٍ أَنبَتَتْ سَبْعَ سَنَابِلَ فِي كُلِّ سُنبُلَةٍ مِّائَةُ حَبَّةٍ ۗ وَاللَّهُ يُضَاعِفُ لِمَن يَشَاءُ ۗ وَاللَّهُ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed of grain which grows seven spikes, in each spike is a hundred grains. Allah multiplies the reward for whomever He wills, for Allah is vast and knowing.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:261)

Charity is an act through which a Muslim shows his good feelings and compassion for other Muslims and it is the real identity of a true Muslim who puts his trust in his Supreme Lord. Materialistically, we could own everything we could ever want in this world, but this wouldn’t necessarily guarantee us any real happiness or satisfaction. The thoughtfulness and surprise element of actually giving the gift brings us excitement and pleasure. Allah says:

وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

“And establish the prayer and give zakah and obey the Messenger, so that you may receive mercy.” (Surah An-Nur 24:56)

Charity is one of the things that hit two targets with one arrow. It not only helps the people in need but also benefits the giver by increasing the excellence and blessings either in this world or hereafter. This is why most Muslims try to donate to charity in every way possible to fulfil their responsibilities as religious people.

Islamic Emphasis on Charity and its Importance:

1. Charity forms a cycle or a chain of donating money
2. Charity saves someone from the embarrassment
3.  Charity makes the person generous by nature
4. Charity is said to be a source of prevention
5. Charity gain the Blessings from Allah SWT
6. Charity relieves the person from debt 
7. Charity relieves by forgiving the loan
8. Charity increases your knowledge
9. Charity giver is the proof of faith
10. Charity expiates sins in this life
11. Charity is key to sustenance
12. Charity erases our sins
13. Charity Saves from Hellfire 
14. Charity easing the Hardships
15. Charity eases hardship in this life
16. Charity protecting from the Hellfire
17. Charity inspired by the generous act
18. Charity spreading kindness all around
19. Charity proving the Faith to Allah SWT
20. Charity is a form of worship to Allah SWT
21. Charity spreads the message of kindness
22. Charity makes the giver less greedy for money
23. Charity does not let people die of thirst and hunger

There is a way of giving charity and that is the way of being humble and generous. Muslims who are in a position to support a great relief aid cause or serve their community should do so but not for the sake of gaining publicity or worldly acclaim. Allah says:

وَمَا أُمِرُوا إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ حُنَفَاءَ وَيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَيُؤْتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَذَٰلِكَ دِينُ الْقَيِّمَةِ

“And not they were commanded except to worship Allah (being) sincere to Him (in) the religion, upright, and to establish the prayer, and to give the zakah And that (is the) religion the correct.” (Surah Al-Baiyinah 98:5)

Charity is purely for the sake of Allah and no worldly gain should be intended while making charity. It should only be made to seek Allah’s forgiveness and His blessings. There is a way of giving charity and that is the way of being humble and generous. Muslims who are in a position to support a great relief aid cause or serve their community should do so but not for the sake of gaining publicity or worldly acclaim. Allah says:

لاَ تَحْقِرَنَّ مِنَ الْمَعْرُوفِ شَيْئًا وَلَوْ أَنْ تَلْقَى أَخَاكَ بِوَجْهٍ طَلْقٍ

“Do not regard any good deed as insignificant, even meeting your brother with a cheerful face.” (Sahih Muslim 2626)

Giving charity teaches us that even the smallest thing will be sufficient as long as we are grateful to it. We are taught to be kind to others by Islam, so let’s continue the legacy of Islam by performing many good deeds charities as long as we live.

Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran:

• “Charity is for those in need, who, in Allah’s cause are restricted (from travel), and cannot move about in the land, seeking (For trade or work).” (Quran, 2:273)
• “Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. Allah is free of all wants, and He is Most-Forbearing.” (Quran, 2:263)
• “Be steadfast in prayer, practise regular charity, and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship).” (Quran, 2:43)
• “Worship none but Allah. treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity.” (Quran, 2:83)

Islam calls upon its followers to reach out with open hands, and give in charity as a way of life. In the Quran, charity is often mentioned along with prayer, as one of the factors that identify true believers. Giving charity correctly is crucial to both the well-being of the needy as well as the ultimate happiness of the wealthy.

The benefits of giving in Allah’s way:

1. Giving alms can prevent a merchant from doing wickedness in his trade
2. There is a door of Paradise that’ll only be entered by the almsgiver
3. Give from lawful sources and receive a countless reward
4. Allah will double fold the reward of the almsgiver
5. Angles pray for those who give in charity
6. Charity protects you from Hell-fire
7. Giving alms is proof of faith
8. Giving alms can erase one’s sins
9. Giving alms gives bless to one’s wealth
10. Be charitable, your money will never be wasted
11. One who gives alms will be peaceful and happy in his heart
12. Giving alms can save the giver from the torments inside the grave
13. It expiates sins: “The charity extinguishes sins like water extinguishes the fire.” (At-Tirmidhi 2616)

Allah blesses acts of almsgiving and charity and makes them the cause of the increase in wealth rather than a decrease in it. Muslim community thrives on charity. The effort Islam puts in financial checks and balances for every member of the Muslim society shows the deep values for human rights. Along with the help of those receiving charity. Allah says:

يَمْحَقُ اللَّهُ الرِّبَا وَيُرْبِي الصَّدَقَاتِ وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ أَثِيمٍ

“Allah will deprive usury of all blessing but will give increase for deeds of charity: for He loves not creatures ungrateful and sinner.” (Surah Al Baqarah, 2: 276)

Islam teaches us to be mindful of each other’s duties and rights; this includes all of Allah SWT’s creation – including children. If a Muslim feels the pain of his Muslim brother and likes the same comfortable and good life for others which he likes for himself then it is a natural reaction to give in charity and ease others’ sufferings and difficulties.  Allah says:

وَجَعَلْنَاهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا وَأَوْحَيْنَا إِلَيْهِمْ فِعْلَ الْخَيْرَاتِ وَإِقَامَ الصَّلَاةِ وَإِيتَاءَ الزَّكَاةِ وَكَانُوا لَنَا عَابِدِينَ

“And We made them leaders, they guide by Our Command. And We inspired to them (the) doing (of) good deeds, and establishment (of) the prayer and giving (of) zakah; and they were of Us worshippers.” (Surah Al-Anbiya` 21:73)

Charity is the essence of Islam and it has great importance in the lives of Muslims. We can do charity by teaching our kids, relatives, and family how to read Quran. The reward will still be given to us even after our death. Every time the person we taught recite Quran, we will also be rewarded. Nothing can beat the feeling of contentment you get when you know you have made a positive change in someone’s world. Allah says:

وَأَنفِقُوا مِن مَّا رَزَقْنَاكُم مِّن قَبْلِ أَن يَأْتِيَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلَا أَخَّرْتَنِي إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُن مِّنَ الصَّالِحِينَ

“And spend from what We have provided you before [that] comes (to) one of you the death and he says, “My Lord! Why not You delay me for a term near so I would give charity and be among the righteous.” (Surah Al-Munafiqun 63:10)

The truest benefit of giving to others is the promise of our reward in the Hereafter, which will far outweigh what we may have given in this world. It helps to build a strong society where the flow of wealth is even and basic human needs are met. Thus Islam and Quran heavily promote charity and every Muslim is rewarded with something way better than what he gives up in way of Allah.