Among the fruits of charity - charity wards off calamity

Charity is one of the most beautiful deeds that brings great goodness and reward to its giver, provided it is done sincerely for the sake of Allah. Charity is a spiritual worship that brings a Muslim closer to their Lord, contributing to their growth and granting entry to Paradise, as it is the best way to protect from Hellfire.

Therefore, let your charity be the light that illuminates your life with reward, goodness, and forgiveness. Be among the first to give it to win Allah's love. We present this article to explore the meaning of charity along with Quranic verses and authentic Hadiths that highlight its virtue and its role in averting calamities.

Definition of Charity

Charity is anything voluntarily given to those in need with the intention of seeking Allah’s pleasure. Charity can be food, money, clothing, or even moral support such as kind words and helping others.

Charity linguistically: The word charity is derived from the root "S-D-Q" meaning giving sincerely and with complete honesty.

Quranic Verses on Charity for Averting Calamities

Several verses in the Holy Quran indicate that charity can avert calamities as it protects its giver from misfortunes and brings blessings through giving to the needy openly or secretly for the sake of Allah. Among them:

• Surah Al-Baqarah (2:271): {If you disclose your charitable expenditures, it is well; and if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you. And He will remove from you some of your misdeeds.} – indicating that charity repels evil and erases sins.
• Surah An-Nisa (4:114): {There is no good in most of their secret counsels, except for those who command charity or goodness or reconciliation between people. And whoever does this seeking Allah’s pleasure, We will give him a great reward.} – showing the importance of charity as one of the best deeds with great reward.
• Surah Al-Baqarah (2:195): {And spend in the way of Allah and do not throw yourselves into destruction [by refraining]; and do good. Indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.} – indicating that charity protects from destruction.
• Surah Al-Hadid (57:18): {Indeed, those who give charity and those who lend to Allah a goodly loan – it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward.} – showing the multiplied reward for those who give charity.

Hadiths on Charity to Avert Calamities

Authentic Hadiths confirm that charity averts calamities and protects from misfortunes, being one of the best deeds that multiplies reward and brings one closer to Allah. Some of these Hadiths include:

• The Prophet said: "Charity extinguishes the wrath of the Lord and prevents a bad death," indicating that charity saves from Allah's anger.
• "Charity extinguishes sins just as water extinguishes fire," showing that charity erases sins and misdeeds.
• "Treat your sick with charity," indicating that charity heals illnesses.
• "Allah averts through charity disease, leprosy, fire, drowning, destruction, madness, and seventy doors of evil, the mildest being leprosy and vitiligo," demonstrating that charity wards off the greatest and most severe calamities.

Ruling on Charity for Averting Calamities

Giving charity to avert calamities is recommended in Islamic law, especially as many Quranic verses and Hadiths show that charity protects from misfortunes, shields the giver from disease, and can even change destiny.

Virtue of Charity in Averting Calamities

Charity has great virtue in averting calamities as follows:

• Charity protects its giver from misfortunes, preventing hardships. The Prophet said: "Acts of kindness protect from disasters, calamities, and destruction."
• Charity serves as a cure for illnesses. The Prophet said: "Treat your sick with charity."
• Charity erases sins and forgives misdeeds.
• Charity makes prayers accepted by Allah, helping avert calamities.
• Charity blesses wealth, multiplies it, and prolongs life.
• Charity changes destiny and transforms harm into good when given early. The Prophet said: "Give charity early, for calamities do not surpass charity."

Best Types of Charity to Avert Calamities

Here are some of the best forms of charity to avert calamities:

• Ongoing charity whose reward continues, like building hospitals, schools, mosques, or planting trees.
• Providing water to those in need, such as digging wells.
• Creating charitable projects that improve community life.
• Providing food to the poor, which carries great reward.
• Helping the poor, orphans, and widows, and taking care of them.
• Supporting students of knowledge financially and morally.

Fruits of Charity

Charity has many fruits and great virtues, including:

Charity wipes away sins and misdeeds

Charity has great virtue in erasing sins and misdeeds. It protects from calamities, draws closer to Allah, and grants His pleasure. The Prophet said: "Charity extinguishes sins just as water extinguishes fire." Allah also says in the Quran: {And He will remove from you some of your misdeeds.}

Charity does not decrease wealth

Charity increases the blessing in wealth rather than decreasing it. Allah opens unexpected doors of sustenance for the giver, and blesses it. Allah says: {The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] that sprouts seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills.}

Charity helps a Muslim enter Paradise

Charity is one of the greatest causes of entering Paradise and drawing closer to Allah. Those who spend in Allah’s way are elevated in status. Charity protects from Hellfire and opens a special gate called the "Gate of Charity" for the giver. The Prophet said: "O women, give charity and increase in seeking forgiveness, for I saw you as the majority of the people of Hell." (Muslim)

Charity protects from calamities

Charity shields a person from calamities such as disasters, accidents, drowning, fire, and destruction. It also relieves fears before death, offering protection in this life and the Hereafter. The Prophet said: "Acts of kindness protect from disasters, secret charity extinguishes the wrath of the Lord, and maintaining kinship increases lifespan."

Charity purifies the soul

Charity purifies the soul from sins and desires, instilling virtues of goodness, generosity, and altruism. Giving to the needy brings great reward, blessings in wealth, joy, and serenity, as one gives hoping for Allah’s pleasure. Allah says: {Take from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase.}

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it true that charity averts calamities?

Yes, charity averts calamities and protects the giver from misfortunes by Allah’s permission.

Is it permissible to give charity with the intention of averting calamities?

Yes, it is permissible. Giving charity to avert calamities is recommended as it brings good and prevents harm.

What did the Prophet say about charity?

The Prophet said about charity:

• "Charity does not decrease wealth."
• "Every person is in the shade of their charity until the people are separated."
• "Charity extinguishes the wrath of the Lord."
• "Avoid Hellfire even with half a date."

What does charity do for its giver?

Charity forgives sins, opens the doors of Paradise, saves from Hellfire, brings peace and joy to the heart, averts calamities, erases misdeeds, and blesses wealth and possessions.