The Etiquettes of Giving in Islam

Being a religion that strongly encourages generosity and selflessness, Islam is universally lauded for its focus on promoting love which ultimately leads to a harmonious Muslim community. Among the very key principles Islam highlights for an ideal character, acts of selflessness and humbleness are at the forefront, teaching us the importance of sharing. Indeed, giving in Islam is not just limited to giving to the poor but also to our families, those we share a close relationship with or any Muslim for that matter. It provides one not just with a sense of usefulness for making a positive contribution to the Ummah butalso inculcates feelings of warmth and affection within the Muslim brotherhood. From a spiritual perspective, giving to others serves as a significant reminder that nothing we own in this world is actually in our possession. Rather it is all a blessinggiven to us by Allah (SWT) and can just as easily be taken away from us in the same way it was given.

The world we see today is experiencing many hardships, some communities more than others, as a result of inequality and poverty. Indeed, this presents to us a sort of test from Allah SWT especially for the ones who are affluent and financially stable to show compassion and kindness to the less fortunate and share their temporary wealth with an open heart.

With Zakat, the third pillar of Islam, Islam has ensured one form of giving as an obligation upon Muslims to share their excess in wealth. There are other forms of giving that are strongly encouraged and their importance underscored in several instances in the Quran and the Hadith. These essentially go a long way in eradicating negativity and crime from society as well as ridding the giver of greed and materialism and thus being a source of purification for society.

Reward from Allah SWT

Among the biggest blessings Muslims have received from Allah, are the rewards in the Afterlife for actions done in the Dunya.Giving and helping others does not only please Allah SWT but also ensures reward, both in this world and in the Hereafter for sharing our wealth with those less fortunate than ourselves. This reward can be reaped through giving money, time, knowledge and other altruistic endeavors. Allah SWT clearly states in the Quran that we are essentially helping ourselves when we help others.

‘Whoever recommends and helps a good cause becomes a partner therein, and whoever recommends and helps an evil cause shares in its burden and Allah has power over all things’(4:85).

Forms of Giving in Islam

Islam is strongly vocal in enjoining its followers to ‘give’ from their wealth for the purpose of achieving individual and societal well-being. Islamic philanthropy can be through different media mentioned in the Shariah including the main sources like Zakat, Sadaqah, Waqf (trust), Hiba (gift) etc.

Zakat

Zakat (to give alms) is the third pillar of Islam. Neither a tax nor a charity, Zakat is a compulsory act of worship that has been stipulated by Allah SWT requiring Muslims to pay a particular amount of wealth to certain underprivileged groups specified in the Quran. In succinct terms, Zakat means to pay 2.5% for the possession of a specific amount of wealth (gold/silver, cash, agriculture produce, livestock earnings, profits from stocks and investment or trade goods), on which a complete lunar year has passed. While Zakat tests a believer financially with his desire to part with his wealth, it also has the major benefit of purifying his wealth, physically and spiritually. In the Quran, Allah SWT says (interpretation of the meaning):  

‘Take Sadaqah (alms) from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it, and invoke Allah for them. Verily, your invocations are a source of security for them.’ [al-Taubah 9:103)

While we cannot understand the infinite wisdom of Allah SWT, it is remarkable how longstanding and far-reaching the impact of Zakat is. At an individual level, it stops the soul from hardening from selfishness and purifies it from stinginess and miserliness. At a larger communal level, it helps mitigate hunger and destitution from society, thus becoming a crucial element of a society’s economic infrastructure that ensures the lawful circulation of wealth from the rich to the poor and the welfare of the needy. The bonds of brotherhood of the Muslim Ummah are truly strengthened with affection, kindness, respect and humbleness when we acknowledge that our wealth is in fact not our own, but a blessing to be shared.  

Sadaqah

Sadaqah is generally a charity which is provided knowingly and willingly with the sole intention of gaining the pleasure of Allah SWT. In different terms, it is a voluntary act of charity towards others that is rooted in faith, love, kindness and benevolence but does not always have to be material or monetary. Even a smilecan be charity or helping someone out with something; there is no minimum or maximum. Sadaqah giving has been encouraged repeatedly in the Quran and the Hadith with its numerous virtues, benefits and rewards highlighted. Indeed, Sadaqahprotects one from calamities and becomes a source of barakahand good fortune. Allah SWT says in the Quran:

‘Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so that He may increase it for him many times over? And it is Allah who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned’ (Qur’an, 2: 245).

Fitrana

The end of the holy month of Ramadan is marked by the Muslim festival of Eid-ul-Fitr, as a day for celebration and reward for the patience and abstinence of Muslims shown throughout the month. Being the beautiful religion that Islam is, it has ensured that the underprivileged are also given this opportunity to embrace the joy of Eid. Muslims who are eligible for Zakat or affluent enough, pay a certain amount, known as Fitrana that can be in the form of money or food.

Gifting

The Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is replete with examples of gifting, with explanation of its virtues and rewards.Any action that was openly done by the Prophet ﷺ or encouraged in speech is counted as being a Sunnah, part of the tradition of the Holy Prophet ﷺ. According to a Hadith:

The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Exchange gifts so you will love one another.’ (Bukhari)

Gifting, essentially, is to honor a specific person on account of some relationship with him or because of feelings of love, friendship or even respect. It strengthens the bonds of brotherhood between Muslims with feelings of mutual affection and kindness. It is often a good choice to opt for worship-friendly gift items to facilitate the recipient’s worship. That will not only result in gaining the virtue of gifting but also gaining the reward for any worship the recipient does through that particular gift. DEENIN’s diverse products offer a good variety of thoughtful gift options to choose from. The ABDEEZ Gift Prayer Mat with Matching Prayer Beads in particular, would serve as a lovely present for someone who is getting married or even as a thoughtful gesture towards a friend borne out of love and affection.

Concept of Sadaqa Jaariya

There are certain charitable actions in Islam that are long-lasting and immeasurable, both in this world and the Hereafter. These actions are referred to as Sadaqah Jariyah. For example, if one invests in planting a tree, the tree will continue to give shelter for as long as it stands, which can be decades. The reward for it will be continuous as people continue to benefit from it. On the authority of Abu Hurairah (RA), the Messenger of Allah Muhammad ﷺ said, ‘When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: Sadaqah Jariyah (a continuous charity), or knowledge from which benefit is gained, or a righteous child who prays for him’. (Al-Nisai 3651)

Bibliography

5 acts of Sadaqah Jaariyah in Islam. Muslim Aid. (n.d.-a). https://www.muslimaid.org/media-centre/blog/5-acts-of-sadaqah-jaariyah-in-islam/

Azhar, Z. (2023, March 7). 6 ways of charity in Islam - act of giving in Islam. Transparent Hands. https://www.transparenthands.org/the-ways-of-charity-in-islam/

MedCrave Publishing. (2018, April 9). The psychology of giving behavior in Islam. Sociology International Journal. https://medcraveonline.com/SIJ/the-psychology-of-giving-behavior-in-islam.html

Why charity is so important in Islam. Muslim Aid. (n.d.-b). https://www.muslimaid.org/media-centre/blog/why-charity-is-so-important-in-islam/

Why giving is important in Islam - islamic help. Why Giving is Important in Islam - Islamic Help. (n.d.). https://www.islamichelp.org.uk/media-centre/news/why-giving-is-important-in-islam

  TL;DR:

 Islam promotes generosity and selflessness through Zakat, Sadaqah, and gifting, fostering love and harmony within the community while purifying souls and society. These acts are considered worship and lead to rewards in this life and the Hereafter.