Charity and its Positive Impact on Society

Charity (Sadaqa) holds great importance and a high status in Islam, carrying countless benefits for the giver in this world and the hereafter. Charity is capable of extinguishing a person's sins, atoning for their misdeeds, and replacing affliction with a prosperous, secure life with abundant sustenance and wealth. Therefore, Islam has encouraged charity and made it the best way to draw closer to Allah and earn His pleasure.

That is why in our article today, we have presented the types of charity with some religious evidence for its virtues, leading to examples of ongoing charities (Sadaqa Jariyah) and how to benefit from them.

Definition and Types of Charity

Definition of Charity: It is everything given to the needy and the poor to draw closer to Allah and seek His satisfaction, whether it be food, money, or otherwise. It is considered a voluntary, humanitarian act performed according to the ability of the giver, and it is usually done secretly rather than publicly to preserve the dignity of the needy. Charity plays a major role in achieving social solidarity and increasing bonds of love and fellowship.

Types of Charity

There are several types of charity that fall under the name of voluntary charity, which are as follows:

• Charity of wealth: This involves helping the poor and giving them money.
• Feeding the hungry: This is one of the greatest types of charity with the most reward.
• Sponsoring an orphan: The Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "I and the one who sponsors an orphan will be like these two in Paradise," and he gestured with his index and middle fingers (Narrated by Al-Bukhari).
• Sponsoring a student of knowledge: This is an ongoing charity with a great reward.
• Providing water or digging wells: This is a humanitarian charitable act considered an ongoing charity with a great reward.
• Planting trees: This is an ongoing charity that plays a significant role in improving the environment.
• Building or renovating mosques or schools.
• Moral charity: This includes a kind word and good advice.

Religious Evidence for the Virtue of Charity

Charity has great virtue and a immense reward with Allah Almighty. It atones for sins and misdeeds, wards off calamity, and increases the blessing in sustenance. Here are the most important pieces of religious evidence from the Quran and Hadith that indicate the virtue of charity:

• The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire."
• The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Wealth is not diminished by charity."
• "Every person will be in the shade of their charity until judgment is passed between the people."

Charity, Purification of the Soul, and Almsgiving

Giving charity to the poor and needy purifies and cleanses the soul from all greed or stinginess. It accustoms a person to giving and generosity and motivates the Muslim to continue helping others with a heart and soul purely for the sake of Allah. The evidence for this is His saying: “Take, [O, Muhammad], from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase” (At-Tawbah: 103).

The Prophet of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, also said: "While a man was walking, he became very thirsty. He went down into a well and drank from it. When he came out, he saw a dog panting and eating mud from thirst. He said, 'This dog has reached the same level of thirst that I had.' So he filled his shoe with water, held it with his mouth, climbed up, and gave the dog a drink. Allah thanked him for it and forgave him."

Charity and Blessings in Sustenance and Wealth

Charity is considered the best way for a person to increase and bless their sustenance. The wealth from which charity is given seeking the pleasure of Allah will not decrease. Allah blesses the wealth of the giver, and the evidence for this is the saying of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him: “Wealth is not diminished by charity” (Narrated by Muslim).

Charity, Social Solidarity, and Supporting the Needy

Charity contributes to achieving social solidarity and balance between the classes of society, i.e., between the poor and the rich. Charity also helps reduce the suffering of the poor and will improve their conditions, which creates a loving, harmonious society where people help one another. This is one of the aspects of mercy and kindness to the poor. Notably, charity prevents hatred and will support the needy, in addition to bridging the prevailing gap between the rich and the poor, thus reforming society.

Examples of Ongoing Charities and How to Benefit from Them

The following are the most prominent examples of ongoing charities and how one can benefit from them:

• Providing water: This is benefited from by digging wells or distributing water in areas that suffer from water shortages.
• Sponsoring an orphan: This is done by providing a dignified and stable life for an orphan who has lost their parent and working to compensate them for the loss, both materially and morally.
• Planting trees: By continuously planting trees so that their benefit remains for many years.
• Sponsoring a student of knowledge: By providing educational supplies and costs.
• Building and renovating hospitals to provide healthcare to the largest possible number of people.
• Building or renovating mosques to prepare a house from the houses of Allah for Muslims to pray in, and for this, there is a great reward.

The Virtues of Continuous Charity and Recommending Goodness to Others

Since continuous or ongoing charity is a great act of worship, let us learn about its virtues and benefits:

• It is the best way for a person to draw closer to Allah and earn His pleasure.
• The reward is permanent and continues to benefit the giver even after their death, making it a source of unending reward.
• It multiplies good deeds and erases sins and misdeeds, if any.
• It improves the condition of society and secures a dignified and stable life for many of the poor and needy, thus building a stronger and more cohesive community.
• Continuous charity wards off calamity and grants its owner a safe life, far from harm or evil.
• It increases the blessing in wealth and makes it grow.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best charities in the sight of Allah?

The best charities in the sight of Allah are ongoing charities (Sadaqa Jariyah) such as digging a well, sponsoring an orphan, sponsoring a student of knowledge, building a mosque or hospital, or planting trees.

What is the reward for the virtue of charity?

The reward for charity is the atonement of sins and misdeeds, an increase in the blessing of sustenance, and charity wards off calamity and paves the way to entering Paradise.

What are the benefits of charity in this world?

The benefits of charity in this world are represented by warding off calamity, increasing the blessing of wealth, bringing joy to the heart and chest, and purifying wealth.

What does charity do for its giver?

Charity atones for sins, extinguishes the anger of Allah, increases the wealth of the giver, makes their health good and free from diseases and defects, and makes its owner a beloved personality respected by all. It also wards off calamities and improves one's final outcome in life.

What is the impact of charity on a Muslim's life?

Charity has a great and profound impact on a Muslim's life. It is a reason for the growth and blessing of wealth, it erases sins and replaces them with good deeds, and charity wards off calamity, achieves social solidarity, and spreads mercy and affection among people.