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Take a few moments to reflect on the profound spiritual insights about charity
and generosity shared in this article.
"Those
who spend in charity during ease and hardship, and who restrain anger and
pardon others—God loves the doers of good."
— Qur'an 3:134
"He
has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever;
his horn will be lifted high in honor."
(Psalm 112:9)
"But
when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand
is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what
is done in secret, will reward you."
— Matthew 6:3-4
Giving from the Heart: Charity as a
Divine Calling
In an age
marked by growing individualism and consumerism, the call to serve others
remains a luminous thread in the fabric of sacred teachings. Across faith
traditions, charity is not merely an act of social good, but a spiritual
imperative that refines the soul, mirrors the divine, and testifies to the
sincerity of one’s faith.
Charity
Beyond Obligation
The Qur'an
lays down a profound moral and spiritual vision of charity. While defining the
essence of piety, the Qur’an distinguishes between obligatory almsgiving
(Zakat) and voluntary giving (Sadaqah). It emphasizes the spiritual excellence
of going beyond what is required:
"It is not righteousness that you turn your faces
towards the East or the West, but righteousness is in one who believes in
Allah, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, and the Prophets; and gives his
wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the
traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; who establishes
prayer and gives Zakat; [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise;
and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those
are the ones who have been true, and it is they who are the righteous."
(Qur'an 2:177)
This verse
powerfully blends faith with action. The righteous are not just those who
perform rituals but those who give of their wealth, "in spite of
love for it" — showing that true charity arises when giving
requires self-sacrifice.
Furthermore,
God promises to exponentially multiply the reward for those who spend in His
cause:
"The example of those who spend their wealth in
the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each
spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills.
And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing."
(Qur'an 2:261)
This vivid
imagery inspires believers to give generously, knowing that even a small act of
charity can lead to immense blessings.
Helping
Despite One's Own Needs
God
praises those who give, even when they themselves are in need:
"They give others preference over themselves,
even though they themselves are in need. And whoever is saved from the greed of
his soul, it is they who will be successful."
(Qur'an 59:9)
This
divine wisdom aligns closely with Christian teachings. In the Gospel of Luke,
Jesus praises the poor widow who gave two copper coins, saying:
"Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in
more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth,
but she, out of her poverty, put in all she had to live on."
(Luke 21:3-4)
And also:
"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every
word that proceeds from the mouth of God."
(Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4)
The
convergence of this message in both the Qur'an and the Bible calls us to view
charity not merely as a financial transaction but as an expression of the
soul's sincerity and trust in divine providence.
The
convergence of this message in both the Qur'an and the Bible calls us to view
charity not merely as a financial transaction but as an expression of the
soul's sincerity and trust in divine providence.
A
Divine Trade: Reflections from Surah At-Taghabun
The Qur'an
also speaks of charity as a kind of divine trade — one that yields spiritual
rewards:
"So, fear Allah as much as you are able and
listen and obey and spend [in His cause]; it is better for your souls. And
whoever is saved from the greed of his soul — it is they who will be
successful. If you loan Allah a goodly loan, He will multiply it for you and
forgive you. And Allah is Most Appreciative and Forbearing, Knower of the
unseen and the seen, the Almighty, the Wise."
(Qur'an 64:16-18)
These
verses emphasize two key points: first, that human capacity is limited and God
only expects what is within our means; second, that voluntary spending in the
cause of God is likened to a loan given to Him. The phrase "goodly
loan" (qard hasan) is particularly significant. It highlights that
charity should be pure, free of pride or expectation of return from others. The
return is with God alone, who promises to "multiply it" and grant
forgiveness.
This
"loan" metaphor is intended to elevate the believer’s perception of
charity from mere social aid to a sacred covenant. It is an investment in the
Hereafter, where the reward is compounded beyond measure.
The
Modern Challenge: A Reflection from Iqbal
Amidst the
materialism of modern times, Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s timeless words sound a
deep warning:
عصرِ
حاضر ملک الموت ہے تیرا
جس نے قبض کی روح تیری دے کے تجھے فکرِ معاش
"The modern age is the angel of death for you;
It has seized your soul by burdening you with the anxiety of livelihood."
Iqbal’s
lament reminds us how easily the pursuit of livelihood can overtake the soul’s
higher yearnings. True liberation lies in freeing ourselves from the grip of
material anxiety, and nothing accomplishes this better than generosity. When we
give, especially when it demands sacrifice, we reclaim our spirit from the
tyranny of materialism and return to the sacred trust between humanity and God.
The
Sermon on the Mount: Give in Secret
This
spiritual principle also finds profound articulation in the words of Jesus
(peace be upon him), particularly in the Sermon on the Mount:
"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in
front of others to be seen by them... But when you give to the needy, do not
let your left hand know what your right hand is doing... Then your Father, who
sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
(Matthew 6:1-4)
Giving
quietly, purely, and without showing is true generosity. Both Islam and
Christianity warn against charity done for ostentation. What matters most is
the inner intention, the purity of motive.
The
Heart of Divine Compassion
When one
chooses to give even in hardship, one echoes the divine attribute of mercy. As
the Qur'an beautifully declares:
"God is with those who do good."
(Qur'an 29:69)
And
likewise, Jesus teaches:
"Be merciful, just as your Father is
merciful."
(Luke 6:36)
We are
also reminded in the Psalms:
"He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor,
his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor."
(Psalm 112:9)
Charity,
then, becomes a way to draw nearer to God. It molds the soul in the image of
divine grace and mercy, transforming both the giver and the recipient.
Conclusion:
A Call to Humanity
Let us be
among those who give from the heart, not merely to fulfill duty, but to reflect
divine love. Whether through a shared meal, financial aid, or even a listening
ear, every act of generosity carries within it a breath of the sacred.
And as we
give, let us do so with humility and gratitude, remembering that in aiding
others, we uplift our own souls and align ourselves with the merciful rhythms
of the Divine.
—Aamir
Yazdani
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