This basically means that on the day of judgement you will be asked on what you spent your wealth
What does Islam Say About Zakat & Charity?
Wealth is a gift from god and it shouldn’t be abused because it could be taken away and replaced by you being poor, that is why there are numerous ways to help poor people by giving part of your wealth to them to help them overcome some of their troubles, we can do this by donating money to charity companies such as Muslim Aid.
First of all as members of the Muslim ummah we have the duty to be responsible for each other. As a result, we should donate money to our Muslim brothers and sisters in need.
It was stated in the Prophet Muhammed’s (pbuh) last sermon
“All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over an non-Arab nor a non-Arab has a superiority over an Arab; also white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brother hood”
It is stated in the Quran,
“Those who in charity spend of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public, have their reward with their lord.”
This basically means that the people who give charity in the way of Allah while not showing off shall be rewarded greatly by Allah.
It is also stated in Bukhari that,
“He who eats and drinks whilst his brother goes hungry is not one of us”
This hadith basically means that the person who can eat or drink without trouble and does not help the people who can’t eat and drink with ease is not a Muslim. This basically means giving charity
What is Zakah?
Zakah is the fourth pillar of Islam and is compulsory upon any person who can earn money for them selves without struggle. Muslims pay Zakah annually on the basis of two and a half percent of their savings and is necessary on gold, silver, money and livestock
What is Zakat al-fitr?
Zakat-al-Fitr is a small amount that Muslims are obliged to pay as charity at the end of Ramadan. It is unanimously recognized by all schools of Islamic Law as a pious duty of every Muslim man or woman. The origin of the obligation can be dated to the month of Sha`ban in the second year of Hijrah. Ibn `Umar said: “Allah’s Messenger enjoined the payment of one Sa` of dates or one Sa` of barley as Zakat-al-Fitr on every Muslim slave or free, male or female, young or old, and he ordered that it be paid before the people went out to offer the ‘Eid prayer.’
The purpose of Zakat-al-fitr:
Every Muslim is required to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr at the conclusion of the month of Ramadan as a token of thankfulness to God for having enabled him to observe fasts. Its purpose is to purify those who fast from any indecent act or speech and to help the poor and needy. This view is based upon the hadith which reads, “The Messenger of Allah, may peace be upon him, enjoined Zakat-ul-Fitr on those who fast to shield them from any indecent act or speech, and for the purpose of providing food for the needy. It is accepted as Zakah for the one who pays it before the Eid prayer, and it is sadaqah for the one who pays it after the prayer.” Al-Qaradawi comments on this hadith by saying that there are two purposes: one is related to the individual; for completion of his fast and compensation for any shortcomings in his acts or speech. The other is related to society; for the spreading of love and happiness among its members, particularly the poor and needy, during the day of Eid. It also purifies one’s soul from such shortcomings as the adoration of property, and from miserliness. Furthermore, it purifies one’s property from the stain of unlawful earnings. It is also a cure for ailments. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “It would be better that you treat your patients with charity.”
In addition, it provides for the needs of the poor and the indigent and relieves them from having to ask others for charity on the day of Eid. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Fulfil their need on this day” (The day of Eid)
What is Aqiqah?
Aqiqah is a ritual preformed by the muslims when there is an addition to the family. The Prophet may peace be upon him did not give religious sanction to it. Therefore, it is not part of the Islamic Shari`ah. However, animal sacrifice to express one's gratitude on a new addition to one's family is a deed which pleases the Almighty just as the prayer at an instance of joy pleases Him.
What is sadaqah?
Sadaqah and Sadaqah Jariyah is when you pay or spend in the way of Allah and can be given when ever you want, it could be in the form of money or clothes or something to help.
What is Lillah?
Lillah is when you can pay to help build a mosque or add something to a mosque for example, fans or carpet. When you can pay Lillah Allah is pleased with you and it is stated in the Quran that Allah builds a house for you in Jannah.
Other forms of Zakat/Charity:
There are other actions of charity which can be done by people who are for some reason unable to pay their Zakat/Charity. These actins could be things like giving a smile to another Muslim for the sake of Allah or remove a harmful object from street or road. These actions are also accepted as charities by Allah for people who are unable to pay Zakah.
Riba/Interest:
In Islam, Interest is Haram. Interest is when a person borrows a certain amount of money from a bank for example and obviously will pay it back. However, when interest is taken the bank will ask you to pay more back.
e.g.
A person borrwows one hundred pounds from a bank and the bank will ask him to pay back one hundred and ten pounds in return. This is where a loss is made this is haram.
It is stated in the Quran,
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“And if ye do not then be warned of war (against you) from Allah and his messenger. And if ye repent, then ye have your principal (without interest). Wrong not and ye shall not be wronged.”
This basically means that the person who takes interest is making a war or struggle against himself even though he has been warned by Allah and his Messenger.
So I come to the conclusion that there are many ways to pay charity in Islam. These ways can affect the way rich and poor people live.
If the rich people fulfil there duties to pay charities they can then be able to get rid of their greed for more. This can also help them to be humble.
Furthermore, if the rich people can fulfil their duties then the poor people will also be able to benefit by receiving the charity paid by the rich people provided they keep their patience.