“While a man was in the wilderness, he heard a voice in a cloud (saying), ‘Irrigate the garden of so-and-so.’ The cloud moved and sent its water onto stony ground, where there was one of these channels that absorbed all of that water. He followed the water, and found a man standing in his garden, and diverting that water with his shovel. He said to him, ‘O slave of Allah, what is your name?’ He said, ‘So-and-so’ – the same name that he had heard from the cloud. He said to him, ‘O slave of Allah, why did you ask me about my name?’ He said, ‘I heard a voice in the cloud from which this water came, saying, ‘Irrigate the garden of so-and-so,’ and it was your name. What will you do with it?’ He said, ‘As you have said this, I look at what it produces, and I give one-third in Sadaqah, my family and I eat one-third, and I use one-third as seeds for the next crop.”
Sahih al-Muslim
Subhan’Allah. Allah (swt) sent this man rain who was giving to the poor and needy. It’s amazing how Allah (swt) provided for this man so miraculously because he was going to give 1/3 of his harvest to sadaqah. If we stop and think, Allah (swt) can definitely provide for us as well in miraculous ways if we give what we love for the pleasure of Allah and in the service of humanity. The hadith illustrates that Allah (swt) basically replaces what we give and multiplies it.
Giving and helping those in need is such a basic principle in Islam. Unfortunately, this aspect of the deen often gets overlooked for the outwardly more religious deeds such as salah, etc. We all need to be reminded of the responsibility and duty we have to one another as human beings.
“Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? And it is Allah who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned.”
Surah al-Baqarah, Ayah 245
Allah (swt) promises us that giving for his sake will only increase our own wealth. Giving in charity reignites a fire in our soul and awakens this feeling of sympathy for others who are suffering. We may be living comfortably, but there are millions around the world who aren’t. We are instructed in Islam that feeding the poor and needy is one of the best acts in Islam. There are so many ways each and every one of us can contribute to feeding someone who’s hungry. In this blessed month of Ramadan, we should try and take advantage of the extra blessings. It’s our duty as Muslims to go out and seek opportunities for feeding the hungry.
“He is not a Muslim whose stomach is full while his neighbour goes hungry.”
Sahih Muslim
Giving in charity from what we are blessed with by The Provider and Sustainer is an amazing remedy to cure the diseased heart. As mentioned before, we are all in need of reminders, and giving charity is an excellent reminder to be thankful. As Muslims, we have to realize that taqwa (God-consciousness) can only be fully attained when we are truly thankful to Allah (swt) for his countless blessings He has bestowed upon us. We have to remember that taqwa in its full essence incorporates actions such as spending for others, love for our brothers and sisters what we love for ourselves. Our beloved Messenger (saw) said,
“Protect yourself from hell-fire even by giving a piece of date as charity.”
Sahih Bukhari & Sahih Muslim
There is obviously sacrifice made when giving a portion of one’s possessions away in charity. The key is to remember that nothing truly belongs to us. Everything we’re given in this world is basically loaned to us for a brief period until we pass away. The people in this world who are blessed with more wealth are being tested by Allah (swt).
“Generosity is near to Allah, near to Paradise, near to the people, and far from the Hellfire”
At-Tirmidhi
For someone who is looking for a quick place to donate their money, there is a project this Ramadan that is trying construct 2 tube wells in Pakistan. The donation can be anything, even a penny. Something small in our eyes, may be something very big in the eyes of Allah (swt). The link contains more information about the project as well as a donation page. Click here to donate! The Prophet (saw) said,
“The best form of charity is to give someone water to drink.”
Ibn Majah
Link to Construct 2 Tube Wells in Pakistan!
My Daily Deen 