While we live, we are told to worship Allah SWT and being kind to another human. There is a way for us to do both at once, by doing charity. Charity placed third among five principles in Islam, means that ever Muslim should do charity at all cost. It has become our obligation to do good and seek Allah’s pleasure.
“The aims are only for the poor and the needy, and those who collect them, and those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and to free the captives and the debtors, and for the cause of Allah, and (for) the wayfarer; a duty imposed by Allah. Allah is Knower, Wise” - At-Taubah (9:60)
1. Investing Both in Life and Afterlife
Living in the world is only temporary and forever belong to the afterlife. After we died, nothing can help us but the deeds we had committed when we lived. We can start our afterlife investment by doing charity starting from now.
“The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knower.” – Al Baqara (2:261)
Also read: Benefits of Donation in Islam
2. Charity Erases Our Sins
Seeking for forgiveness from Allah can be done by other way than taubat. We must sincerely plead to Allah to forgive us by doing things that will pleased him, one of them being charity. It’s how our sin will be erased, as our Prophet (peace be upon him) told us:
“Charity extinguishes the sins like water extinguishes a fire.” – Ibn Majah
3. Protecting from the Hellfire
All the deeds we had done in the World would be asked for the responsibility in the Hereafter. Good deeds will help us while the bad ones won’t. Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) had once said:
“Protect yourself from hell-fire even by giving a piece of date as charity.” – Bukhari & Muslim
Also read: Importance of Charity in Ramadan
4. Avoid Grieve in Life
We all want to live happily in the world, try to do many charities so that grieve will be removed from us.
Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allaah, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” – Al Baqara (2:262)
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5. As a Form of Worship to Allah SWT
Worshiping Allah is the purpose of human’s creation. While Salat and reciting Quran are the main kind of worship, giving charity is also one of them.
“And be steadfast in prayer; practice regular charity; and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship).” – Al Baqara (2:43)
Also read: Importance of Gift in Islam
6. Proving the Faith to Allah SWT
Every Muslim has their faith in Allah SWT and His Messenger (peace be upon him). But faith should not only be spoken but proved as well.
“O you who believe! Spend of that with which We have provided for you, before a Day comes when there will be no bargaining, nor friendship, nor intercession. And it is the disbelievers who are the Zaalimoon (wrongdoers).” – Al Baqara (2:254)
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7. Gain the Blessings from Allah SWT
We can’t be successful both in life and afterlife without the blessing from Allah SWT. He will not hesitate to spend blessing to any or His servants who like to spend on others too. It had said by the Prophet (peace be upon him):
“Allah said: ‘Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.’” – Bukhari and Muslim
Also read: Ways To Earn Good Deeds In Islam
8. Teaching Gratefulness to Ourselves
Sometimes we feel like our live is in down low. It only because we are not grateful enough. Giving charity teach us that even smallest thing will be sufficient as long as we are grateful to it.
9. Easing the Hardships
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“Look to those who have less than you, and do not look to those who have more. This is more appropriate so that you do not overlook (or undervalue) the blessings of Allah that you have.” – Bukhari & Muslim
Also read: Importance of Faith in Islam
10. Spreading Kindness Around
The best feature of a charity is the kindness we spread around, as said by the Prophet (peace be upon him):
“To smile in the company of your brother is charity. To command to do good deeds and to prevent others from doing evil is charity. To guide a person in a place where he can not get astray is charity. To remove troublesome things like thorns and bones from the road is charity. To pour water from your jug into the jug of your brother is charity. To guide a person with defective vision is the charity for you.” (Bukhari)
How to Give Charity in Islam
After understanding all the benefits of charity in Islam, the next is to put into action of it by doing charity. Here are some of the many ways of giving charity in Islam.
- Donating Money
Money donation is the most common form of charity, and it’s done by most people as well. By giving money, we directly help people who is in need. Giving money donation nowadays is very much easier, as it’s all over internet and social media.
- Pick Something Up from the Road
It may be a small thing, but if we pick a stone from the middle of the road, it’s the same like we are doing charity to many other people since we prevent them from getting into an accident.
- Feed Fasting People
Islam is indeed making sure that all Muslim could gain the benefits of charity in Islam. By giving food to a fasting people, we also get the share of reward as if we’re also fasting.
- Teaching Others to Read Quran
We can do charity by teaching our kids, relatives, and family how to read Quran. The reward will still be given to us even after our death. For every time the person we taught recite Quran, we will also be rewarded.
So those are all the benefits of charity in Islam. We taught to be kind to others by Islam, so let’s continue the legacy of Islam by performing many good deeds an charities as long as we live.