By Shahid Athar, M.D.

12/12/2000

Editor’s Note: In addition to fasting, it is also extremely important for us to give charity during Ramadhan. This updated article is a reminder to all of us that we should give charity for the love of Allah. 

In 1999, Americans gave over $190 billion in charity. As Muslims, despite knowing the virtues of giving charity in this life as well as the rewards we can reap in the Hereafter, we are not matching that trend in our community. All of our Islamic institutions, masaajid, full-time schools and organizations are in the red, and they have to consistently make fundraising efforts to sustain themselves. In addition, the political problems that exist in many Muslim nations – whether in Bosnia, Kashmir, Palestine, or Somalia – require our utmost attention.

If we considered the masjid, the house of Allah, as our own house, and the problems and suffering of other Muslims as our own, then our community would not need to conduct fundraising, as we don’t conduct fundraising for our own homes - when the roof leaks or to meet the needs of our own children.

The Qur'an (2:110) says, “And be steadfast in your prayer and pay charity; whatever good you send forth for your future, you shall find it with Allah, for Allah is well aware of what you do.” 

Miserly people think that their money will decrease or that they will become poor by giving money to charity, but our belief in Islam is the contrary. Remember the ayat of Qur'an (2:261): “The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is as the likeness of a grain that sprouts seven spikes. In every spike there are 100 grains, and Allah multiplies for whom He will. Allah's will is embracing, all-knowing.”

The basic concepts of Islamic philanthropy are:

1. Charity has to be from lawfully earned money; there is no concept of Robin Hood-like acts in Islam. In Islam, for an action to be regarded as pure and for it to be accepted by Allah, not only does the intention have to be pure, but the means of achieving that intention has to be pure as well.
2. The concept of ownership of wealth in Islam is that all wealth, after necessary personal and family expenses, belongs to Allah. It is up to an individual to decide how much of their excess wealth they should give back to the cause of Allah; if some of it is not given in charity, it is claimed by Satan. 
3. All philanthropy should be for the pleasure of Allah alone.

There are two types of Islamic charity. The first is zakah, which is obligatory and amounts to 2.5% of the year's savings. The word "zakah" itself means "purification", and the purpose for paying zakah is to purify ones lawfully earned wealth. Zakah is the right of the poor over the wealth of the rich. 

The other type of charity is sadaqah, or voluntary charity, and depends on the amount of an individual’s needs and their excess wealth. 

Charity should not be given so that it can be used as a tax shelter or to win personal recognition; rather, it should be given simply for the love of Allah. "To spend of your substance out of love for Him – to your kin, orphans, the needy, the wayfarer, those who ask, and for freeing slaves" (Qur’an, 2:l77).

One of the reasons some Muslims claim they cannot come up with charity is that they are not sure to whom the masjid belongs. Does it belong to the donors, to the officials of the organization, or to the users? 

There need not be doubts regarding its ownership because a masjid belongs to all; however, mostly, it is the house of Allah and He has given it to us for our use, so we must pay the rent. 

Some of the problems facing Muslim fundraisers are:

1. How do they motivate people to open their hearts and their wallets?
2. Should the name of donors and the amount of their donations be announced publicly?
3. If the names are announced, should it be just for disclosure or should they be placed in a sort of competition with one another?
4. Should they be given an incentive, like a gift or some type of raffle ticket?

Motivation. "Your wealth and your children are only a temptation, whereas to be with Allah is an immense reward. So keep your duty to Allah as best as you can, and listen and obey and spend. That is better for your soul, and whosoever is saved from his own greed is the one who is successful. If you lend to Allah a goodly loan, He will double it for you and will forgive you, for Allah is the Responsive Element" (Qur’an, 64:15-17).

Sometimes, we do not want to part with our wealth due to our love of our family and children because we fear that they may suffer from poverty if we give; however, we must know that it is Allah Who is the Provider of all of us, and we should not worry. Allah asks us to send good deeds, like giving in charity, ahead of us for the future. It is like putting money into a savings account in this world and cashing it in the next world where it is multiplied many times.

Disclosure vs secrecy. "If you disclose the act of charity, even so it is well; but if you conceal it and make it reach those who are really in need, that is best for you. It will remove from you some of your stains of wrongdoing, and Allah is well acquainted with what you do" (Qur’an, 2:171).

Often, when charity is for a public cause, it must be publicized and concealment itself may create problems for collecting officials. The harm of publicity lies in the motive of ostentation (showing-off). When charity is to be given to an individual, it is better that it be given secretly.


Responsibilities of Fundraisers:

1. It is good to send a thank-you note to donors, along with a tax ID number, after collecting money. This is often not done. 
2. There should be a follow-up with those who make pledges to donate as a reminder since their pledge is a kind of loan, and they must pay it. 
3. Most importantly, fundraisers should inform givers of how their money is spent. For example, providing before and after pictures to donors to a masjid remodeling project will increase their confidence and possibly incline them to give more, since they will know that their money was well utilized. 
4. A gift or raffle ticket is not necessary. A word of thanks and a prayer that Allah will accept and be pleased with the donor's gift is all that is needed.

"O son of Adam, spend on Me and I will spend on you" (Hadith Qudsi).

Dr. Shahid Athar, M.D., a prolific writer and an insightful speaker, continues to be of great service to Islam and Muslims of North America. 

Editor’s Note: Islam Online wishes to express gratitude to Dr. Athar for his generous permission to reprint his articles and lectures.

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