CHARITY

After disease, one of the great hazards to humankind is “poverty.” Since time immemorial, poverty has been widespread in the world. The Quran takes an all-inclusive look at poverty and has recommended several ways to lessen its suffering and grief in society. Whenever possible, we are encouraged to do actions for the pleasure of God and charity is stressed as a virtue. There are two types of giving – one is Zakat and the other is charity. Zakat is obligatory and at a specified rate of 2.5 % whereas general charity has a wider connotation. Charity includes any aid from the privileged to the less fortunate.

We are urged to spend in the way of God from whatever He has bequeathed to us. [2:2-3] This scripture is infallible; a beacon for the righteous; who believe in the unseen, observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and from our provisions to them, they give to charity.

Thus, the righteous are those who spend from what God has showered on them: [57:7] Believe in GOD and His messenger, and give from what He has bestowed upon you. Those among you who believe and give (to charity) have deserved a great recompense.

[57:11] Who would like to loan GOD a loan of righteousness, to have it multiplied for him manifold, and end up with a generous recompense?

God thus offers us an inducement and motivates us to do charity.

In “Western Society” the State is often responsible for community welfare whereas the Quran makes both the State and the individual jointly responsible. An ideal society would be a place a bit like where Adam and Eve once lived [20:118-119] "You are guaranteed never to hunger therein, nor go unsheltered. Nor will you thirst therein, nor suffer from any heat."

It is not just food, but a far broader concept including health, sanitation, education, security, justice, etc. A righteous government would have unity, sympathy and trust between them & society. [22:41] They are those who, if we appointed them as rulers on earth, they would establish the Contact Prayers (Salat) and the obligatory charity (Zakat), and would advocate righteousness and forbid evil. GOD is the ultimate ruler.

Society would do its best, leaving no room to pass the buck.

The Quran has specified the appropriate recipients of charity. [2:215] They ask you about giving: say, "The charity you give shall go to the parents, the relatives, the orphans, the poor, and the traveling alien." Any good you do, GOD is fully aware thereof.

The reason for generosity is clear. The good is for God, who sees every deed.

[2:177] Righteousness is not turning your faces towards the east or the west. Righteous are those who believe in GOD, the Last Day, the angels, the scripture, and the prophets; and they give the money, cheerfully, to the relatives, the orphans, the needy, the traveling alien, the beggars, and to free the slaves; and they observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat); and they keep their word whenever they make a promise; and they steadfastly persevere in the face of persecution, hardship, and war. These are the truthful; these are the righteous.

[2:273] Charity shall go to the poor who are suffering in the cause of GOD, and cannot emigrate.

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