In Islam, we learn that it’s very important to give help to others, especially if they are poor or needy. Whatever their colour or religion, we have to help them. When you help others, it’s also a way to show you are thankful to Allah for everything He has given you, like a healthy body, a family, food and shelter. You need to remember that you would not have anything if Allah didn’t give it to you.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) always used to remind people to give in charity. Some of the early Muslims would give away so much that they would forget to keep some food for themselves! Here are just some of the Prophet’s sayings about charity:
'Each person’s every joint must perform a charity 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; every step you take to prayers is a charity and removing a harmful thing from the road is a charity.'
[sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]
'Do not be lazy or careless about giving alms and charity till your last breath.'
[sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]
'Spend in charity and do not keep count for then Allah will also keep count in giving you what you need.'
[sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]
In the Qur’an Allah tells us how pleased He is with us when we give in charity: ‘The likeness of those who spend for Allah’s sake is as the likeness of a grain of corn, it grows seven ears; every single ear has a hundred grains, and Allah multiplies (increases the reward of) for whom He wills, and Allah is sufficient for His creatures’ needs, All-Knowing).”
[surah al-Baqarah, 2:261]
