Why charity? Why give?

Giving is a kind act that every normal human will perform, especially when they see a human in need. Usually, we give to benefit other people or help them. We give for the sake of others.

However, in this article, I would like to share my different perspective. I believe that the reason for giving, first and foremost, should be for the sake of the giver and not others.

Giving in the Islamic community

The act of giving is even more apparent in Islamic law, culture, and tradition. As for Islamic law, it is an obligation for a Muslim to pay alms (zakat) yearly to distribute money to the poor and those in need. Giving charity is also an act encouraged by Allah & Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him as mentioned in the Holy Quran & Noble Hadiths.

As for the culture & tradition, for the Malay Muslim community, giving charity has been instilled in them since young.

I still remember every time I go to the mosque for Friday prayers, my mother would give me & my brother 2 dollars for me to donate to the mosque or to the needy. Even though it is technically her money, she wants us to perform the act of giving with the hope that donating will be our habit in the future.

For Aidilfitri celebration, we had the custom of giving children & the elderly money packets. For the Aidiladha celebration, we also had the act of sacrificing lambs, cows, or camels. We are encouraged to distribute the meat to our family members & the poor & needy. Again, giving to others.

At a glance, it is logical to think that the purpose of giving is to help others. What if I tell you that the purpose of giving is to help yourself?

Give for the sake of yourself

Based on my study of the Quran & Hadith of the Prophet, I realized that Islam is a religion that focuses on the development of one's self. It is not only about acts of worship. It is not only about rewards and sins. It is not only about paradise and hellfire.

It is a guided way of life and changes in one's self. If we look at the companions of the Prophet Peace Be Upon Him, they did not only perform acts of worship but their characters also changed for the better.

Hence, I believed that whatever obligations and orders from Allah and the Prophet will first affect ourselves and propel us to develop in life.

So what are the main reasons of giving for ourselves?

Why give?

1) Be loved by Allah & people.

By human nature, generous people are loved by people. Of course, since people will surely benefit from his generosity & kindness. People will tend to overlook the shortcomings of a generous person as Sayyidina Ali Bin Abi Talib said:

Generosity hides shortcomings.

This love from the people and community will benefit you in your life. But most importantly, it will make you more nearer to them. This gives you more opportunity to know them and help them further.

As for the love of Allah, you are fulfilling Allah's orders when you give to people. It may not be money, it can be knowledge, help, time, or even a listening ear. As Allah mention in Surah Baqarah verse 154:

O those who who believes (in Allah & Prophet), spend for other with whatever that Allah has blessed you

I end this point with our beloved Prophet's hadith

A generous person is near to Allah & people. He is near to Paradise and far away from Hellfire.

2) Proof of your love to Allah & people.

Giving surely needs you to sacrifice what you own. The Money that you have worked with your own energy and sweat. The Knowledge that you have given your time and effort.

This sacrifice is actually proof of your love to Allah. You are able to sacrifice what is precious to you for the sake of pleasing Allah and fulfilling his commands. You are able to let go of your love for the worldly for the sake of doing true goodness.

Allah says in Surah Ali Imran verse 92:

You will never attain doing good to others untill you give what you love

The sacrifice is also proof of your love for people. Giving actually increases our love for each other. The Prophet Peace Be Upon Him said:

If you exchange presents/gifts, you will love one another

3) Emulating our beloved Prophet

The most generous creation of Allah is our beloved Prophet Peace Be Upon Him.

When Sayyidatina Aisyah was asked about the Prophet in his house, She said:

He was the most gentle person and the most generous person

In a narration of Sayyidina Jabir,

The Prophet has never said no to a request or when being asked

We as Muslims lived by the guidance of Prophet Muhammad. His actions and sayings are our guidelines for a good life. So when we give, it is an emulation of our self to Prophet Muhammad.

4) Growth of our wealth and betterment of our selves

It can be cliche if I say that giving money will grow our wealth. In general, you will get more of what you give.

Based on life experience, I believe it is true. When you give money to people, they will develop themselves and help themselves with the money. They will then be able to lead live well and contribute to society. When society benefits and develops, you will also benefit from it. This is just one aspect.

This is also the same when you share your knowledge or experience with others.

Hence, It is true what Allah has mentioned in Surah Saba' verse 39:

And whatever you spend in charity, Allah will compensate you for it.

For He is the Best Provider.”

When you give, you are loved by Allah & people sincerely. Also, you managed to let go of your love for wealth & materialistic things. You become a generous person emulating our beloved prophet. In addition to that, whatever you give also grows.

Isn't this truly a betterment and development for your selves?

Thus it is true what Allah has said in Surah Taghabun verse 16

Spend in charity; it is better for your selves. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.

Communal effect of giving

When you give, the receiver will surely benefit from it. Besides that, the influx of generous people in a community and the culture of giving will strengthen the relationships between people. This in return will produce a united community and cooperative society.

Hence, I believe that everything starts with you. When you give with these four reasons in mind, you will surely grow and the community will develop with you.

Let me end this article with a quote from Sayyidina Ali ibn Abi Talib:

Don't feel ashamed when giving little for charity.

That is because there is always goodness in giving no matter how little.

If this input is beneficial to you and you understand it well, now it's time to apply.