Importance of charity in Islam
The Quran and Sunnah have repeatedly emphasized the importance of giving charity and Allah SWT has promised immense rewards for the person who does.
Here are 5 virtues and benefits of giving charity in Islam:
1. Shade on the Day of Judgement
The Prophet (saw) said, "The believer's shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity." [Tirmidhi]
Allah SWT has promised seven categories of people who will be under His shade on the Day of Resurrection. One such category is those who give charity and care for the poor and needy.
2. A protection from calamity
The Prophet (saw) said, "Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity." [Tirmidhi]
Giving charity daily is guaranteeing protection of one's self from tragedy and misfortune. In another hadith, the Prophet (saw) narrated, "Doing good to the people protects one from misfortune, secret charity extinguishes the anger of the Lord, and keeping ties of kinship increases one's lifespan." [Tabarani]
3. Prevents one from greed
The Prophet (saw) said, "Avoid doing injustice to others, for on the Day of Judgement, it will turn into manifold darkness, and safeguard yourself against miserliness, for it ruined those who were before you. It incited them to murder and treating the unlawful as lawful." [Muslim]
Hoarding wealth and not sharing it with the poor and needy can lead one to a misguided path of misfortune and greediness. Charity allows the rich to share their wealth with the poor and needy, thus building a society of good morale, generosity and empathy.
4. Sadaqah helps cure illness and averts death
The Prophet (saw) said, "Treat your sick ones with charity." [Jaami] Sadaqah is a great way of curing illness as it wards away tragedy and misfortune and prevents one from having an ill fate.
As such, it is advised to give charity regularly in any form (food, clothing, money, etc) to the poor when a loved one is suffering from illness. In another hadith, the prophet (saw) narrated, "Sadaqah appeases the Lord's anger and averts an ill death." [Tirmidhi]
5. Sadaqah Jariyah - charity that keeps on giving
If a person performs a deed that continues to benefit others in a good way, the performer of the deed will continue to collect the rewards of that act of charity, for as long as it benefits others (even if the person passes away). This form of charity is called Sadaqah Jariyah and is one of the most rewarding acts of charity.
In an authentic hadith, the prophet (saw) reminds us:
The degree of reward is dependent on the magnitude of the impact the charity is making in the lives of others.
At Muslim Hands, we offer a wide variety of Sadaqah Jariyah projects that benefit individuals and communities. From building masjids in remote communities to building water wells that will provide clean drinking water to families for years to come, to implementing sustainable livelihood projects such as: donating sewing machines to widows, farming tools to poor farmers, livestock to poor families, and Olive trees to Palestinian farmers. Our Great Charity Gifts have a multitude of Sadaqah Jariyah projects you can donate towards.
