The Rich & The Charity From The Pages Of Our Glorious History

The Rich & The Charity From The Pages Of Our Glorious History (Prophet PBUH, The Caliphs and The Beloved Companions) As narrated by Jabir Ibn Abdullah; the massager of Allah has cursed on the accepter and the giver of interest and the one who keeps a record of it and those who witnessed it. They are all equal (Muslim).

“Allah will deprive usury of all blessing, but will give increase for deeds of charity”(Quran 2: 276).

While on the other instance; Abu Huraira correlated that the Prophet said: On the night of the Miraj I came upon a group of people whose bellies were like houses. They were full of snakes which could be seen from outside their bellies. I asked Gabriel who they were, and he told me that they were the people who had practiced Riba (Interest). (Ahmad, Ibn Maja). On another instance it is quoted that taking a small percentage of interest is a sin worse than commit a zinah by force.

The Rich & The Charity From The Pages Of Our Glorious History

Zakat & Your Money:

Zakat is one of the major pillars of Islam and is well explained with the importance the percentage and the liabilities owned by a Muslim on a given amount of his wealth for a given time period.  As said in the Holy Quran; “And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give Zakat. And that is the correct religion.” (Quran 98:5). As said by the prophet Muhammad (PBUH); if you want to be admitted into the paradise you must worship Allah and accept His individuality and pay Zakat and strengthen the ties of kinship. (Source: Bukhari, Muslim)

The Poor and Wealthy in Islam:

Islam place and emphasis on serving the poor and needy in the community and be a helping hand to them in every possible way. “Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense? For that is the one who drives away the orphan. And does not encourage the feeding of the poor.” (Quran 107: 1-3).

According to the statement of Safwan ibn Salim related that the Prophet said: Anyone who looks after and works for a widow and a poor person is like a warrior fighting for Allah’s cause, or like a person who fasts during the day and prays all night. (Bukhari). At the same time charity in Islam is served with a number of additional benefits as narrated by Anas bin Malik that the Prophet said: Verily charity appeases the wrath of Allah and eases the sufferings of death. (Tirmidhi, 2)

Being a Miser

Keeping piles of money with you and not using it for helping others is something not appreciated in Islam? As narrated by Abu Huraira; the Prophet said: Every day two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says, ‘O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your Cause,’ and the other (angel) says, ‘O Allah! Destroy every miser’ (Bukhari).

On another instance; Jabir reported that the Prophet Muhammad said: Avoid doing injustice to others, for on the Day of Judgment, 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)

Other Issues Addressed in Islam:

Said is that the Muslim must earn a proper amount of profit of the trades and keep a proper share of the poor and the needy in the society, out of his earned wealth. However, just like the way of earning money, it is also said to carry a moderation in giving. As said in Quran; “And do not make your hand as chained to your neck or extend it completely and thereby become blamed and insolvent.” (17:29).

Deeds like bribery is strictly prohibited in Islam, also said are to look for contentment rather than generating and gathering wealth. At the same time the charity is something that is equally demanded from men as well as women. This can include anything major or minor from the belonging or earnings one has made. However, according to Prophet Muhammad the best charity is the charity that is practiced by a wealthy person. And start giving first to your dependents. (Bukhari)

A Conclusion:

From earning rules and regulations to maintaining a proper balance in the earned and spent amount Islam and Prophet Muhammad has provided us with all the details to deal with modesty and equality. Islam in always promote sharing what you have been blessed by Allah, with the one who are in need of your help or lack these blessings in any way. By doing so, a Muslim can earn benefits both in this and the afterlife. To help yourself and help others, you need to look into the possibilities you can share what you have been blessed with the needy around you.