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Charity In Islam - nawaz - 12-02-2004
Dear All
Of course,as good Muslims we appreciate His kindness, but let us also remind ourselves of -giving-.This is a fundamental obligation of our personal and communal lives.The mighty English Oxford Dictionary's definition of the word charity embraces,Giving voluntarily to those in need;an organisation for helping those in need; tolerance;and love of one's fellow human beings.And a famous poet's poignant comment on the same subject reads:There are those who have little to give and give it all.These are the believers in life and it's bounty.And their
coffer is never empty.Good words, but nothing new!
The Holy Quran emphasis on -giving- is obvious and with considerable
clarity,it presents three inter-related precepts which form the
essential basis of this obligation.Firstly, we accept the premise that
we have to face the consequences,both here and in the hereafter,of
whatever we do on earth.The -do- is expansive,including aspects such as
our deeds,thoughts, feelings, behaviour and dealings with
fellow-beings.Secondly,we have to strive for the comprehensive
development of ourselves as individuals,and in the process aim for the
elimination of imbalances in our communities.Integrate these two vital
attributes of Quranic teaching;and we begin to comprehend the third and
most difficult precept,that of -anfaq- Anfaq in effect constitutes the
pinnacle of -giving-.It consolidates the containment of societal
negatives such as poverty,hunger,injustice,malice,abuse,disrespect,
waste,greed and the deprivation of the human rights.Ultimately,it is
the perfect socio-political environment in which hoarding becomes
unnecessary and where all resources are equitably available for
everyone's benefit.The word itself derives from the old Arabic
expression for an open-ended tunnel,suggesting that as much as possible
should flow through and become accessible to those in need.
No,we are not aspiring to egalitarianism, for the Holy Quran does
recognise that a healthy community must comprise a mutually beneficial
mix of people with different abilities, roles,responsibilities,
personalities and needs. However, they all have the basic necessities
of food,shelter,health,education and personal freedoms,the satisfaction
of which must be the central responsibility of any balanced system of
existence.
This then,leads us to the elegantly simple game of -giving-.Playable
individually or in teams,on a limitless playing field,it requires no
spectators.While it is easy to understand,the rules are tough and like
all great games,the glory is in the participation;the pleasure in the
commitment.The rewards,which Allah Almighty promises can be aplenty,are
of course welcome icing on the cake.Notably though the procedure never
stops,for the resources given by Allah Almighty are meant for all
humanity;and they have to remain in continuous circulation.The
objective too is unambiguous.Recognise that people's genuine needs
differ,but give as much as you can from what remains after satisfying
your personal needs.The needy have a right to expect assistance and
within that fundamental premise,the Quran proffers many explanatory
notes.
Firstly,give because you believe in God and his cause.Give
wholeheartedly with unselfish compassion, but do so from that which has
been earned honourably.In giving more or less;openly or secretly;be
genuine,for when we help from what we ourselves have rejected,our
hypocrisy is inexcusable.Of course,we must give sensibly.Emotions can
lead to excesses and irrationality, which can be detrimental to both
the giver and the receiver.Furthermore,we are rightly warned to be
humble.Constant reminders of the kind deeds one performs can be
painfully embarrassing for all concerned.Expect no appreciation from
the assisted and certainly avoid nurturing a sense of
superiority.Whereas we have to be vary of professional scroungers,there
is understandable emphasis on first assisting
parents,children,relatives as well as the very young and elderly who
cannot earn for themselves.Give freely as you please,but also
contribute to a system whereby the funds are judiciously administered
through a properly organised effort.
Finally and no less importantly,do not neglect the charity in the
-giving- of our persons.Practice social etiquette beseeches the Holy
Quran.Be ever conscious of the likes and dislikes of those around
you;respect their privacy;offer moral support;use kind and comforting
words;speak softly;show tolerance and always maintain exemplary
decorum.So plainly speaking,this protocol of -giving- is not easy.As
that famous poet also said: It is when you give of yourself that you
truly give.How right - and how nice!
Note:The word Anfaq includes obligations such as zakat,sadaqa,khairat
and other forms of giving mentioned in the Holy Quran.Persons
interested in this subject may wish to refer to the following selection
of Quranic verses:
2:177, 2:195, 2:215, 2:219, 2:261, 2:267, 2:270, 2:273, 2:274, 3:91,
4:39, 8:36, 8:60, 9:53, 9:54, 9:99, 25:67,34:39, 47:38, 57:10, 92:5.
Regards
Nawaz