Adopt a ‘giving’ lifestyle to be successful

Showing empathy, compassion and care for others exist in the core of our heart of what it means to be a true Muslim. Islam places great emphasis on ‘giving’, especially for those in need.

Charity lives an overall ‘giving’ lifestyle, not just the act of giving money to people in need. We Muslims have a religious obligation to give charity, whether in the form of money, time, kind deeds, and good deeds for Allah. Allah loves those who donate selflessly to charity and serve as a comfort to his creation.

مَّن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يُقْرِضُ ٱللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا فَيُضَـٰعِفَهُۥ لَهُۥٓ أَضْعَافًا كَثِيرَةً ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَقْبِضُ وَيَبْصُۜطُ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

Meaning: Who lends Allah a good loan that will multiply Allah? It is Allah’s one person who increases or decreases wealth. And to him you everything will come back. Al-Baqarah 2:245

Why you should give Charity

Charity benefits both donors and recipients. The donors are increasingly blessed and rewarded by Allah, maintaining a sense of humility, and the recipients find some comfort in their increasing difficulties.

By spending one’s wealth on the way of Allah, the believer reminds us of the fact that everything he owns and is blessed comes not from his own will, but from the will and generosity of Allah. In return, Allah wants us to be generous and considerate of the people around us, rather than storing our possessions and wealth.

All Muslims are obliged to donate an annual portion of their wealth to a charity, which is not limited to funding. In fact, all good deeds are a form of charity, as declared by the Prophet himself, who has peace and blessings.

“All good deeds are charity.” Sahih Muslim, Hadith 496

Benefits of Charity

1. Allah promises us that charity given during difficult and comfortable times will improve our livelihood.

2. Giving in Allah’s way enriches our hearts and souls and awakens a sense of compassion and concern for the welfare of those who transcend themselves.

3. It helps to free us from the epidemic of ‘desire’ and reminds us that this world and everything in it is temporary, belongs to Allah, and should be used to help Allah’s creation.

4. We learn to love others what we love for ourselves and want for them what we want for us.

5. Everything we donate to the way of Allah, no matter how small or trivial, purifies our spiritual self and our soul.

Charity does not diminish wealth, but it paves the way for greater wealth and blessings in this world and in the future. Whatever we give to the way of Allah will be replaced by more resources from Allah. Because he is the ultimate provider.

Therefore, as Muslims, we need to integrate the act of ‘giving’ into our daily lives and accept it as a lifestyle. We should consciously do good deeds for our fellow brothers and sisters. The effort, time and money spent in the name of charity and on the path of Allah will surely be rewarded with eternal blessings and rewards.

“The shade of the believer on the Day of the Resurrection will be his charity.” Al-Tirmidhi: 604

ARR