The concept of Zakat (obligatory charity) and Sadaqat/Khairat (obligatory charity) in Islam is a tremendous step towards alleviate the sufferings of the poor. We have already shared a number of posts based on verses from Qur'an on charity in our series of posts on Selected verses from Qur'an to stress on the need to help the poor and let them live a better life. The concept of slaughter of animals (Qurbani) on Eid al Adha is also a step in this direction, for anyone slaughtering an animal has to apportion it into three equal parts to keep one for self, one for the relatives and one for the poor. This sole act brings a smile to the faces of many who cannot afford to buy meat.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has also asked the believers to help and support the poor and the widows and has assured the donors a very high reward.
This Hadith is mentioned in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (Book 69 - Supporting the Family كتاب النفقات / Chapter 1: The superiority of providing for one's family / باب فَضْلِ النَّفَقَةِ عَلَى الأَهْلِ) as Hadith 5353, given herein under:
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ قَزَعَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ ثَوْرِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَبِي الْغَيْثِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " السَّاعِي عَلَى الأَرْمَلَةِ وَالْمِسْكِينِ كَالْمُجَاهِدِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ، أَوِ الْقَائِمِ اللَّيْلَ الصَّائِمِ النَّهَارَ ".
Narrated by Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The one who looks after a widow or a poor person is like a Mujahid (warrior) who fights for Allah's Cause, or like him who performs prayers all the night and fasts all the day."
Just imagine how immensely a man is rewarded and equated to someone who fights in the cause of Allah or spends his entire night in prayers and keeping fasts during the day.
However, when helping the poor, one should differentiate between the needy and the beggar, for even if you give out a fortune to the beggars, they will be on the road again for begging is their profession and not need. Similarly, one should look after the widows and the elderly as much as one can with the sole purpose of pleasing Allah.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given below. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
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