CHARITY: AN EXEMPLARY CONDUCT OF THE SALAF

By

Ibn Abdillah As-sudaisiy Al-Iloori

Charity is one the exemplary qualities of our Salaf (Pious Predecessors). When they see people who approached them for help, they try to assist and if they didn't have the capacity to assist, they either take them those who can assist them or at least communicate their incapacitation to them with kind words.

Our Salaf were such that when they saw the needy, they used to welcome them, and treat them well. They used to see the beneficiaries of their charity as helpers who assist them to lift some loads that they will go and receive in the Hereafter. 

Therefore, one of the things that would make us to be true salafis that we aspire to be is when we love to assist and lessen peoples' burden. This doesn't mean we should promote or condone begging. We should try to know people with genuine complaint, especially within our family and neighborhood. Even the beggars, we can be giving them food, not necessarily money, they will take it, and it will be in our records well kept with Allāh. As for stingy people, those who have but would never give, Allāh has promised them painful torment. Allāh says in Suratut Tawbah:

وَالَّذِينَ يَكْنِزُونَ الذَّهَبَ وَالْفِضَّةَ وَلَا يُنْفِقُونَهَا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَبَشِّرْهُمْ بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيم

And those who hoard gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah - give them tidings of a painful punishment. [Surat At-Tawba 34]

Islam (Sunnah) is not just about solaah, zakah and sadaqah are part of the fastest routes towards attaining the pleasure of Allāh. Some little little acts of kindness towards people with good intention are just like bonuses for us. 

May Allāh make it easy for us and accept them as acts of ibadah.