O you who have believed, spend
from that which We have provided for you before there comes a Day in
which there is no exchange and no friendship and no intercession. And
the disbelievers - they are the wrongdoers. [2:254]
We often underestimate the importance of charity thinking that we will give charity once we will get rich or once we will be financially stable. But who can guarantee that we will live that long. So we should give from whatever wealth Allah has given to us instead of waiting for the perfect time.
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. [2:261]
The rewards of giving charity are unimaginable, subhanAllah! Allah multiplies the reward of our charity up to 700 times according to the above verse. So if we donate only $1 with sincere intention of pleasing Allah then Allah will reward us as if we have donated $700. So we should never belittle giving loonies and toonies in charity if this is all we can afford to give because we never know how much our charity will worth after multiplication.
But, subhanallah, Shaitan even does not let us spend a little amount in the way of Allah. We can spare hundreds of dollars for boxing day shopping but how much are we willingly take out when we have to donate to an Islamic instituition or a mosque.
Satan threatens you with poverty
and orders you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from
Him and bounty. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing. [2:268]
There are many benefits of charity recorded in ahaadith:
The Prophet (s.a.w) told us that every man will be shaded by his charity on the Day of Resurrection, the day on which the sun will be brought close to people’s heads until Allah passes judgement between them.
[Narrated by Ahmad, 16882; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani]
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (r.a) that a man came to the Prophet (s.a.w) and said: “O Messenger of Allah, which charity brings a greater reward?” He said, “If you give in charity when you are healthy and miserly, fearing poverty and hoping for richness. Do not delay until you are at the point of death and you say, ‘Give this to So and so, give this to So and so,’ …”
[al-Bukhaari, 1330; Muslim, 1713].
Moreover, charity also cools Allah's anger, increases our wealth, averts calamities and results in expiation of our sins according to Ahadith.
And whatever good you
[believers] spend is for yourselves, and you do not spend except seeking
the countenance of Allah . And whatever you spend of good - it will be
fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged. [2:272]
We should also remember that "charity begins from home". We should spend on our parents, spouse, children, relatives and orphans. Even if our parents and relatives are rich, we should still give them gifts to express our love and concern for them.
They ask you, [O Muhammad], what
they should spend. Say, "Whatever you spend of good is [to be] for
parents and relatives and orphans and the needy and the traveler. And
whatever you do of good - indeed, Allah is Knowing of it." [2:215]
Moreover, it is also very important to guard our charities. Charities are wasted by reminder of favours, hurting people and showing off. So, the best policy is to spend and forget because if we truly spend for the sake of Allah then we should not expect any appreciation or praise from people.
Those who spend their wealth in
the way of Allah and then do not follow up what they have spent with
reminders [of it] or [other] injury will have their reward with their
Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. [2:262]
Remember the purity of intention and the purity of wealth both are necessary for the acceptance of charity. The charity given from Haram earning is not accepted by Allah swt.
Also, we should look out for the opportunities of ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah) which will benefit us even after our death. For instance, donating in mosques and Islamic institutions where Islamic education is given is the best form of investment for Akhirah because we will get the reward of every person who will pray there or get Islamic education from there, inshAllah.
Also, wealth is not the only thing we can spend in the way of Allah. We should also spend our time, energy and efforts in the acts of righteousness and to promote the deen of Allah before it is too late.
Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? And
it is Allah who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be
returned. [2:245]
