The core purpose of charity in Islam is to seek Allah’s pleasure and get our spiritual satisfaction. The one neat thing about giving is that it’s a win-win situation; the recipient and the giver both benefit differently.
But what does our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) say about charity? Why is it considered so important? Here are ten insightful hadiths about why charity is so important.
- There Are Many Forms of Charity
“A charity is due for every joint in each person on every day the sun comes up: to act justly between two people is a charity; to help a man with his mount, lifting him onto it or hoisting up his belongings onto it, is a charity; a good word is a charity, and removing a harmful thing from the road is a charity.” (Al-Bukhari, Muslim) - It Is A Good Deed That Never Ends
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); a knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (for the deceased).” (Muslim) - Seek Only Allah (SWT)’s Pleasure with Charity
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “A crafty one, a miser, and one who keeps reminding people of what he has given, will not enter Paradise.” (Tirmidhi) - It Protects You from Calamity
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.” (Al-Tirmidhi) - It Protects you on the Day of Judgement
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity.” (Al-Tirmidhi) - It Protects You from the Hellfire
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “Protect yourself from hell-fire even by giving a piece of date as charity.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) - It Protects You from Being Miserly
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Avoid doing injustice to others, for on the Day of Judgment, it will turn into manifold darkness, and safeguard yourself against miserliness, for it ruined those who were before you. It incited them to murder and treating the unlawful as lawful.” (Muslim) - Charity Elevates Your Status
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Charity does not in any way decrease the wealth and the servant who forgives, Allah adds to his respect; and the one who shows humility, Allah elevates him in the estimation (of the people).” (Muslim) - It Increases What Allah (SWT) Grants You
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Allah, the Exalted, says, ‘Spend, O son of Adam, and I shall spend on you.’” – (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). - Don’t Delay in Giving Charity
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Do not show lethargy or negligence in giving alms and charity till your last breath.” – (Bukhari and Muslim).
May Allah bless you and the whole ummah with His guidance and keep us on the path of truth.