The Hand that Gives

As is well know, Islam stresses the importance of charity but what is often overlooked is that charity must be given in the right way. The Qur'an says:

الَّذِينَ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ثُمَّ لاَ يُتْبِعُونَ مَا أَنفَقُواُ مَنًّا وَلاَ أَذًى لَّهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلاَ خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ

"Those who give of their substance for the sake of God, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity nor with injury, for them their reward is with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." (2:262)

This verse protects the dignity of the poor as well as emphasising that charity should be given with sincerity and not to lord it over others. It is very hurtful to make someone feel they are indebted to you because of a charity or favour you did them.

This reminds me of a story of Joha: Joha fell into the local pond one day. A man came over and pulled him out. Whenever the man met him he reminded him of what he did. Eventually Joha became so tired and fed up of being reminded of it that he jumped into the pond and shouted to the man: "Now go away and  leave me alone!"

Related to this advice of avoiding belittling someone because of a favour you did them is this verse from Sura al-Mudathir:

 وَلا تَمْنُن تَسْتَكْثِرُ 

"Don't do a favour just to get something back." (74:6)

If you do something for someone, then do it with a clean heart and pure intention. Don't do it thinking, "I will call in that favour later." Or worse still, don't do it because you are after something that they have. This is nothing more than dishonest and devious manipulation. As the hadith of the prophet says: "Actions are judged by their intentions."

It is also important to be balanced and moderate in our approach - and this applies to charity also - the Qur'an says:

جعلناكم امة وسطا

"We have made you a middle nation"

لا تغلوا في دينكم

"Do not go to extremes in your religion"

Also the Prophet said:

"The best of all affairs is the middle way"

We should try to avoid going to one extreme or the another. Not withhold our hand nor stretching it too far, leaving ourselves and family in difficulty.

The Prophet said:

“O son of Adam, it is better for you to spend in charity and to withhold is evil for you, but there is no blame if you withhold for necessary living. Begin with your dependents, and the upper hand that gives is better than the lower hand that takes.”

The last sentence is very important. The hand that gives is better than the hand that takes. It lays responsibility on the one who receives charity a swell the one who gives. No-one should give more than they can nor take more than they need. Nor must it become an excuse for idleness.

Some people have argued that these verses and hadith are evidence that Islam supports the concept of the Welfare State. But Islam is not about legislating laws for government - that is up to us to work out for ourselves. Islam is about encouraging you towards good actions. As the prophet said:

"إنما بعثت لإتمم مكارم الاخلاق"

"I have only been sent to complete the qualities of good character".