A society can flourish only when its members do not spend all their wealth to fulfill their own desires but reserve a portion of it for parents, relatives, neighbours, the poor and the debilitated. As the saying goes: Charity begins at home. A true believer is thus always prepared, after meeting the needs of his family, to assist other people in need of his help.

Thus the spirit of kindness and well-wishing is the essence of charity. The giver is not to expect any reward from the beneficiary as there awaits for him an abundant reward from God — material, moral and spiritual — what God deems it best to confer on His servant.

Charity should be lawfully earned or acquired by the giver. It should include such things as are of use and value to others. Charity is for those in need. This is general principle, which enjoins us to help people in need, be they good or bad, on the right path or not, Muslims or non-Muslims. No one should judge in these matters. The foremost ends in charity should be God’s pleasure and our own spiritual good. The concept of charity in Islam is thus linked with justice.

There are two forms of charity in Islam — obligatory and voluntary, called Zakah and Sadaqah, respectively.

The Holy Quran states: “And be steadfast in your prayer and pay charity; whatever good you send forth for your future, you shall find it with Allah, for Allah is well aware of what you do” (2:110).

Charity is central to a Muslim’s life. The best charity is to satisfy a hungry person, said the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He also said, “No wealth (of a servant of Allah) is decreased because of charity.” (Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2247).

The Holy Quran encourages the Muslim to donate their funds: “the likeness of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain that sprouts seven spikes. In every spike there are 100 grains, and Allah multiplies for whom He will”. (2:261). When one spends in the way of Allah, he or she receives in return (reward in the Hereafter) on the scale of one to seven hundred.

Islam has established the institution of Zakat to make concern for the poor a permanent and compulsory duty. This means an annual contribution of two and a half per cent of one’s income to public welfare. The rate on other types of wealth such as agricultural produce and jewelry is more. It is incumbent on minors and adults, males and females. Zakat is a form of worship, rather than a levy. Sadaqah: Sadaqah is also a means of moral learning. Sadaqah (Charity) is an Ibadah (worship). According to Hadith, Sadaqah is prescribed for every person every day the sun rises. Hadith is much more explicit. To remove from the road anything, which may cause hurt is called Sadaqah or a charitable deed. The scope of Sadaqah is so vast that even the poor who can have nothing tangible to give can offer Sadaqah. Good conduct is frequently termed Sadaqah in the Hadith. In this extended sense, acts of loving kindness, even greeting another with a cheerful face, is regarded as Sadaqah. In brief, every good deed is Sadaqah.

According to the teachings of Islam the giving of Sadaqah serves a number of functions. First and foremost act of Sadaqah is expiation for sins. The believers are asked to give Sadaqah immediately following any transgression (Ihya-e-Ulumuddin, Al-Ghazzali, 1/298).

Voluntary alms giving can also compensate for any shortcoming in the past payment of Zakah. Sadaqah also gives protection against all kinds of evil. Sadaqah wards off affliction in this world, and punishment on Judgment Day. (Ismail Hakki, Tafsir Ruh-al-Bayan, 1/418). It is, therefore, recommended to give Sadaqah by night and by day, in secret and in public to seek God’s pleasure (Quran, 2:274).

The constant giving of a little is said to please God more than the occasional giving of much. The one to whom Sadaqah (charity) is given should also be deserving of it. It should not be wasted by spending on the non-deserving. — (From the writings of Ibrahim B. Syed)