Deadly famine in Somalia, security and social fluctuation througout the Middle East, widespread diseases, economic hurdles overwhelming many underdeveloped countries, those still bearing the brunt of the global economic crisis, warring countries where security and inhuman conditions are making people’s life impossible, the globe was never at difficulty as it is in recent months, and probably years.

There was never a real need for human solidarity and global charity mobilization like this time we’re living through, when all human nations struggle helplessly facing some of the most intriguing difficulties, all grouped to make their sustenance a challenge in itself.

Giving is an art that adds much needed sensitivity and warmth to a person’s life; enjoining collective care that bounds the entire community he’s living in with true emotions of solidarity and purging any negative feelings of envy or bigotry. It’s a sort of spiritual investment that imbibes in every individual a kind of psychological awareness, a sense of completion, that results from fulfilling his/her duties towards fellow humans.

Giving out of sense of solidarity to serve the public, which may stretch to reach farther continents as well, protects you against any shades of guilt that may haunt you at times of leisure and entertainment, had you not helped with even the vey little you can to uplift the suffering of those who could be dying out of hunger and disease, Which consequently helps you enjoy your life even more.

I haven’t found a verse that best frames the good character and moral boundaries of a true Muslim personality than this verse…

“O you who have believed, bow and prostrate and worship your Lord and do good – that you may succeed.”—Quran 22:77

And this combines all acts of charity and giving and not just the obligatory Zakat, which involves the deduction of 2.5% of a Muslim’s wealth after it had reached a certain amount during the span of a year (Zakah is to be discussed thoroughly in a separate post on this portal).

A true Muslim character is one that is bounded by sincere sense of solidarity to its surrounding community, and not one that’s concerned only about its well-being and personal fulfillment without the least regard to others’ conditions.

Brotherhood and mutual care are the foundation of Islam which enjoins strong community ties, mutual care and respect, giving the poor and supporting the needy. And this may tell you why you’d find a pious and righteous Muslim more attached to giving than keeping his full wealth for himself and enlarging it further.

The ambition of greed is endless and so is the need to give.

A person feeds his greed once and never gets satisfied no matter how hefty his heaps of money grow. Similarly, a person who’s compassionate about others and equally cares for their well being gives without regret or reluctance, and the more he gives, the more he tastes the pleasure of giving, the more he wants to give and satisfy other’ needs.

Giving is a Need More than a Duty:

Giving is a human exercise that benefits the soul as much as it purifies one’s wealth. And that’s why it’s not limited to those who are well off or financially capable. Anybody is encouraged to give of what he has, let that be little or big, money, food, or possessions. Giving imbibes moral qualities that creates unparalleled sense of relief and spiritual comfort that even those who have little shouldn’t miss or compromise.

According to Abu Musa, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Every Muslim must give charity.” Someone asked, ‘What if he finds he has nothing with which to give charity?’ He said, ‘Le him with his two hands and benefit himself and give charity (from his earnings).’

The Food of Two is Enough for Three:

A times you feel that what you have suffices only for your basic needs and there’s no room for others to share. And Satan would whisper in your ears telling you that you’d be a big fool if you think you can compromise your own well-being to serve others and still feel happy. The exact opposite is true.

Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: ‘The food of two people is enough for three, and the food for three is enough for four.’”- Narrated by Imams Bukhari and Muslim (may Allah be pleased with them both).

– Prefer Others over Your Own Self:

Preferring the public interest over your personal well-being creates the kind of social harmony that most nations come to lack nowadays. Brotherhood and social camaraderie are cornerstone to proper Muslim society wherein individuals hasten to help and stretch the hands of aid to those who’re needy or suffering, let alone struggling to fulfill their basic needs.

Sahl ibn Saad (may Allah be pleased with him) said: A woman brought a woven of garment (burdah) and said: ‘ I wove it with my own hands for you to wear.” Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) took it, as he needed it. He came out to us, wearing it wrapped around his waist. So- and- so said, ‘Give it to me, how nice it is!’ The Prophet said, ‘Fine.’ The Prophet was siting in a gathering, and when he came back, he folded the burdah and sent it to the man. The people told the man: ‘You should not have done that. The Prophet wore it because he needed it then you asked for it and you knew that he does not refuse requests.’ He said, ‘I did not ask for it so as that I could wear it. I asked for it so that it could be my shroud.’ Sahl said: ‘And (later on) it was his shroud.”—Narrated by Imam Bukhar (may Allah be pleased with him)

Charity never made more sense than it is nowadays and the urge to give, as much as one’s capacity allows for, was never that intriguing. And as Muslims live through Ramadan, the chance to give cannot be more opportune or appropriate to alleviate the world suffering, thereby meeting their duties toward their Lord,  communities, and definitely toward their own selves.

Wassalaam,

Maha Youssuf

maha@muslimtribune.org

Posted on: Ramadan 20, 1432 AH

August 20, 2011