Quranic Verses on the Virtue of Charity
The Holy Quran contains numerous verses that encourage charitable giving and highlight its benefits. Below are some key verses:
- Allah -the Exalted- states: (Who is it that will lend Allah a goodly loan, so He may multiply it for him many times over? And Allah is the one who limits and expands, and to Him, you will be returned).
- Allah -the Exalted- mentions: (The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed of grain that sprouts seven ears; in every ear, there are one hundred grains. And Allah multiplies His reward for whom He wills. Allah is All-Encompassing and Knowing).
- Allah -the Exalted- says: (Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah and do not follow up their donations with reminders of their generosity or harm will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve).
- Allah -the Exalted- expresses: (And the example of those who spend their wealth seeking Allah’s pleasure and strengthening their own souls is like a garden on a hill, which is hit by a heavy rain and yields its produce twofold; if it does not receive a heavy rain, then a drizzle is sufficient. And Allah is All-Seer of what you do).
- Allah -the Exalted- states: (If you disclose your charitable gifts, it is well and good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you. It expiates some of your evil deeds. And Allah is All-Aware of what you do).
- Allah -the Exalted- asserts: (Those who spend their wealth by night and by day, secretly and openly, will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve).
- Allah -the Exalted- emphasizes: (You will not attain righteousness until you spend from that which you love. And whatever you spend, indeed Allah is Knowing of it).
- Allah -the Exalted- instructs: (And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw yourselves with your own hands into destruction. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good).
- Allah -the Exalted- questions: (Do they not know that Allah accepts repentance from His servants and takes the charities? And that Allah is the Most Relenting, Most Merciful).
- Allah -the Exalted- notes: (And your charitable acts are better for you, if you only knew).
- Allah -the Exalted- concludes: (Indeed, the charitable men and women and those who lend Allah a goodly loan will have it multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward).
Prophetic Hadiths on the Virtue of Charity
The Sunnah contains many Hadiths that encourage giving charity and outline its rewards. Here are a few notable examples:
- The Messenger of Allah -peace be upon him- said: (Every joint of a person has a charity that must be given for each day the sun rises. To be just between two people is a charity. Helping a man on his mount and lifting his belongings onto it is a charity. A good word is a charity. Every step taken towards prayer is a charity. And removing harmful objects from the road is a charity).
- The Messenger of Allah -peace be upon him- remarked: (When a person dies, all of his actions cease except for three: a continuous charity, beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him).
- The Messenger of Allah -peace be upon him- stated: (There is not a day upon which servants arise except that two angels descend, and one of them says: ‘O Allah, grant a replacement to the one who spends,’ and the other says: ‘O Allah, destroy the one who holds back.’)
Types of Charity
The virtue of charity is immense in the eyes of Allah -the Exalted-. Among the best forms of charity is that which benefits one’s parents, as mentioned in the Quran, along with the act of giving in secrecy, as highlighted in the following texts:
- Allah -the Exalted- states: (They ask you what they should spend. Say: ‘Whatever good you spend is for parents and relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler in need, and whatever you do of good, indeed Allah is Knowing of it.’)
- The Messenger of Allah -peace be upon him- said: (A man who gives charity in such a way that his left hand does not know what his right hand has given).