So, a charity in Islam is defined as “the voluntary giving of help, typically in the form of money, to those in need” and in Arabic, it is called Sadaqah. This means that we should give the others some of our belongings such as clothes, kids’ toys, food, and of course money. In Islam, it is always better to spend what you really love; it means that you have to donate good and fixed stuff. Charity makes both the giver and the taker feel satisfied and happy in their life. When you grant something to somebody, you must be pleased with both your mind and heart. Your intention must be very sincere only for Allah.
Surah Al-Baqarah: “Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah and then do not follow up what they have spent with reminders [of it] or [other] injury will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve. (262)”
How to raise money for charity?
Surah Ali-Imran: “Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah] from that which you love. And whatever you spend – indeed, Allah is Knowing of it. (92)”
Here are some tips to raise money for charity:
- Talk to the nonprofit you’re raising funds for:
No doubt that you need to be sure that your money is given to a good and nonprofit association. Also, you should contact them regularly to keep in touch with their charity activities. The most important step is to trust them and confirm that your sadaqah is going to the needy people.
- Host your own fundraising event:
If you are creative enough to organize your own event, this will be amazing. You can get suitable opportunities to raise money or clothes for charity. Just try to plan for it and start with your garden as a nice place to encourage others to help you. Another profit of those events, are the new relationships you can get.
- Get a little help from your friends:
Sometimes you will feel that you need supporters around you to get help. Speak with your best friends and ask them to volunteer and support you with ideas and time. If you have a designer friend, ask his help in making cards to explain yourself. If your friend is baker, let him bake for you to sell this food at one of your events.. etc. Sharing your friends in the charity is very important and useful for both of you.
- Empower others to do their own outreach:
It will be very helpful to share your idea with your family and ask them to bring their contacts. You can use one of the templates through the email to reach as much as you can faster. There is another effortless idea; is to create an interesting facebook post and ask your contacts to share it. Also, sharing a video illustrating your view would be great.
What does charity mean?
Surah Al-Munafiqun: “And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says: My Lord if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be of the righteous. (10)”
Now we know that charity in Islam is very important because it makes Muslims cooperate more. Also, it creates love and peace between rich and poor people. We Muslims should be charitable and helpers to each other especially the needy ones. But why charity is significant? There are a lot of poor and starving people all over the world; not only Muslims but also non-Muslims. If we all practice charity, those countless poor people, would live better. You must note that to donate food or money, you shouldn’t be rich; you can donate according to your financial ability.
In Islam charity or almsgiving is known as
In Islam, we have two types of donation: Al Sadaqah and Al Zakah and they are different from each other→
- Al Zakah:
- an obligatory charity
- a certain percentage of your extra wealth (the excess of your necessity of life)
- a small contribution of your money or goods to help other Muslims
- It is paid only once a year
- given to poor people and those who are in need
- Al Sadaqah:
- a voluntary charity
- not fixed amount; you are completely free to pay as much as you want
- It has many forms: a smile, a piece of advice, money, food, help, clothes, or any stuff
- It is paid whenever you want
- given to anybody not only poor ones
Meaning of charity in Islam
Charity in Islam means a lot because its reward is big and it considers one of the ways to win Jannah hereafter. I would like to mention here some of them:
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Protection in the day of judgment
The Prophet said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity”. This means that Allah will give you shelter on the day of judgment if you give charity in your life.
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Security from the disasters
The Prophet said: “Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity”. Allah will guard us, if we are helping each other, from accidents and disasters.
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High standing with Allah
The Prophet said: “The upper hand is better than the lower hand (he who gives is better than him who takes). One should start giving first to his dependents. And the best object of charity is that which is given by a wealthy person (from the money left after his expenses). And whoever abstains from asking others for some financial help, Allah will give him and save him from asking others, Allah will make him self-sufficient.”
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Relieving my debts
The Prophet said: “The Muslim is the brother of the Muslim, he doesn’t oppress him and doesn’t put him into ruin, and whoever is concerned for the needs of his brother, Allah is concerned for his needs, and whoever relieves a Muslim of a burden, Allah will relieve him of a burden from the burdens of the Day of Judgement and whoever covers (the faults of) a Muslim, Allah will cover (his faults) on the Day of Judgement.”
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