Charity In Islam

[nawaz]

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