Written by Mohamad Azhar bin Hashim. Posted in 
Some Muslims in this country may harbour scepticism over parting some of their means to charity, whether obligatory or voluntary, to bodies or organisations which have been accorded with the mandated role to manage the funds. Their scepticism revolves around the issue of whether the charity funds are distributed to the appropriate target group of the needy who rightly deserve the funds. There are also cases where many ordinary Muslims’ individuals feel that their small charities are not wanted since the charity bodies or organisations have already received huge funds from philanthropies, large corporations, or government—so that they may feel that these organisations do not need individual funds anymore, and in turn, the givers are not prepared to give to organisations, instead, they will give to the target group by themselves.
No matter what the givers think or feel about how their funds should be managed and how small their charities are, the most important thing that one should always think is that whether one charity is recognises and accept by Allah the almighty, and whether one deserves the reward promised by Him for one’s charitable deed. In this connection, Allah the almighty has provided us with the guiding principles in the Holy Quran on how we should conduct our charity. This article is an attempt to motivate the readers with the selected verses of the Holy Quran that specifically enjoined the act of charity.
The Reward for Doing Charitable Deeds
Allah has promised to those who give charity with enormous rewards, and this is illustrated in chapter 2, verses 261 of the Quran : “The parable of those who spend their substance in the way of Allah is that of a grain of corn: it growth seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleased: And Allah cares for all and He knows all things.” (Quran, 2:261)
In another verse, Allah has promoted charity as equally important as establishing obligatory prayer and promised that those who give for charity will be protected from fear and grieves. This is mentioned in chapter 2, verse 277: “Those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and establish regular prayers and regular charity, will have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Quran, 2:277)
Avoid From Being Boastful and Hurting the Recipients’ Feeling
In order to receive the reward form Allah the almighty, one must observe the guiding principles of charity outlined in the Quran. One of the important guidance is that when one gives out in charity, one should neither be boastful about his generosity, nor hurt the feeling of the recipients, for Allah already knows what we have done, and the reward is expected from Him alone, not from anyone else, including those we have helped.
Invariably, one should always be guided by these words of Allah in his course of charity: “Those who spend their substance in the cause of Allah, and follow not up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with injury, for them their reward is with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Quran, 2:262). In this connection, Allah also emphasis on using kind words to those who are underprivileged: “Kind words and the covering of faults are better than charity followed by injury. Allah is free of all wants, and He is Most-Forbearing.” (Quran, 2:263). The word “injury” may mean the attempt to hurt the feeling of the recipients by using intimidating words.
It is mentioned in the Quran that whatever charitable deeds we do, no matter how huge the sum is, will be nullified in the eyes of Allah if we insist to be praised and rewarded by the people. In this regards one must heed to this principle mentioned in the Quran: “O ye who believe! cancel not your charity by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like those who spend their substance to be seen of men, but believe neither in Allah nor in the Last Day. They are in parable like a hard, barren rock, on which is a little soil: on it falls heavy rain, which leaves it (Just) a bare stone. They will be able to do nothing with aught they have earned. And Allah guides not those who reject faith.” (Quran, 2:264). Although it is not wrong to disclose or announce one’s charity deed, it is even better for one to conceal is good deed: “If ye disclose (acts of) charity, even so it is well, but if ye conceal them, and make them reach those (really) in need, that is best for you: It will remove from you some of your (stains of) evil. And Allah is well acquainted with what ye do.” (Quran, 2:271). All in all, whether we disclose or conceal our charity, both are accorded with reward for that Allah loves those give charity. Allah say: “Those who spend in charity of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public, have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (Quran, 2:274).
Converting Debt into Charity
A person who wants to seeks the pleasure of Allah can do this one wonderful thing, that is, converting the debt that he or she has extended to his Muslim’s brother or sister who is in need, into a charity. Indeed, this is a tough and challenging act to do, and of course not many people are capable of doing this, unless he or she has a higher degree of piety. Apparently, this is a deed that is enjoined by Allah, and is mentioned in the Quran: “If the debtor is in a difficulty, grant him time till it is easy for him to repay. But if ye remit it by way of charity, that is best for you if ye only knew.” (Quran, 2:280)
Conclusion
For one to spend in the cause of charity, whether obligatory or voluntary, one should not be sceptical on whether the mandated organisations are disturbing the funds accordingly to the targeted group. It is imperative for one to observe himself first whether his charitable act is in accordance with the guiding principles set out in the Quran. What is more important is our charity is to be recognised by Allah, and be rewarded as He pleased.
Scepticism towards mandated organisations may stem from integrity and transparency issues. Inevitably, man and woman by no means perfect, so as any organisations for that matter. Therefore, the mandated organisations should always improve themselves, and should all the time uphold the trust of the people. This is imperative as there is always challenge to overcome when we aspire to do charitable deeds, particularly the challenge from the evil one. For Allah has warned us: “The Evil one threatens you with poverty and bids you to conduct unseemly. Allah promises you His forgiveness and bounties. And Allah cares for all and He knows all things.” (Quran, 2:268).
