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What Is the Difference Between Ongoing Charity and Regular Charity?

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Question: What is the difference between ongoing charity & regular charity?
Answer:
Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

Allah, Most High mentions charity (sadaqa) in the Quran multiple times.

 If you do deeds of charity openly, it is well; but if you bestow it upon the needy in secret, it will be even better for you, and it will atone for some of your bad deeds. And God is aware of all that you do. [Quran 2:271]

The word charity (sadaqa) is a general term including all good deeds. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Every act of good is sadaqa.” [Bukhari, Muslim]

The Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) specifically mentioned “continuous charity” (sadaqa jariya) is the well known Hadith narrated by Abu Hurayra (Allah be please with him):

“When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: continuous charity (sadaqa jariya), beneficial knowledge, or virtuous descendants who pray for him (for the deceased).” [Muslim]

The only difference between Sadaqa and Sadaqa al-Jariya is:
1. Sadaqa can be a one time charity. (ex. giving money to people in need)
2. Sadaqa al-Jariya is a charity that is continuous and the reward is received even after death. (ex. building a well)

May Allah, Most High reward you for your care in upholding his rights during this difficult time.

And Allah alone knows best.
[Ustadh] Omar Popal
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Intention for Zakat or Charity

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Charity

Question: If one intentionally overestimates one’s zakat, is it valid to intend that whatever is extra counts a charity? Does it matter if one is not really sure how much is extra?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

If one gives more than the zakat that is due intending it all as zakat, then whatever was due will count as zakat and whatever is extra will count as charity. However, one must not intend that it is all both zakat and charity, or either or (Al Majmu, Nawawi).

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language

The Prophet’s Smile – Giving Charity

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Giving Charity to Please our Beloved Prophet Muhammad

By Shaykh Amin Buxton

 

In this series, the Prophet’s Smile, we visit the moments where the Prophet smiled and laughed. We also discuss how he was described when smiling and laughing.

By studying his characteristics, we gain insight into what he talked and thought about, and ultimately, the undeniable beauty of his character.

By knowing more about him, we hope to increase our love and longing for him. We also hope to gain his love and pleasure, which cannot be separated from the love and pleasure of Allah Most High.

 

Giving Charity to Please the Beloved

Jarir bin Abdullah narrates that he was sitting in the middle of the day with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) along with some of the Companions when a group of people appeared. They were barefoot and hardly had any clothing. Jarir recognized them to be from the tribe of Mudar. The Prophet’s face went pale when he saw the state they were in. After everyone had assembled and prayed the congregational prayer, the Prophet stood up and addressed the people. He reminded them to have taqwa and to prepare for their meeting with Allah. Then he exhorted them to give whatever they could in charity: gold, silver, clothing or food, even if it was only half a date.

A man from the Ansar then came with a bag of coins so large that he could hardly carry it. From then on, people came one after the other bringing donations. Soon there were two piles, one of food and one of clothing.

When the Prophet saw this, his face shone with joy. He then said: “When someone establishes a good practice in Islam, they will have the reward for it and the reward of those who later act upon it without this detracting in the least from their reward.  When someone establishes a bad practice in Islam, they will bear the responsibility for it and for those who later act upon it without it detracting in the least from their responsibility.”  (Narrated by Muslim)

 

Take Action to Help Your Community

 It pains the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to see members of his nation in a state of destitution and hardship and nothing pleases him more than to see people making sacrifices to help those in need.

When he saw these people in a state of hardship – he was greatly moved. The fact that he shared a common ancestor with them – since he himself was a descendant of Mudar – made him treat them with extra compassion. By helping them the Prophet was also honoring the ties of kinship which was something at the heart of his message.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) could have asked Allah to feed and clothe these people in whatever way He wished, but he wanted his Companions to take action. Once the community had come together for prayer, he called upon them to give whatever they could to help these unfortunate people. But he only did this after reminding them of their relationship with Allah – to show them that their belief in Him and awareness of Him dictated that they act in situations such as this. He wanted each person to give according to their means and their intention. So half a date from one man may have been more significant than another man’s gold or silver.

What made his face shine with joy was to see a man from the Ansar coming forward with a generous donation. He loved the Ansar dearly and Allah Himself testifies to their readiness to sacrifice out of love for Him: “they give others preference over themselves, even if they too are poor” (Quran, 59:9). He was happy that this man had taken the initiative and that others would follow his example. He then clarified an Islamic principle: that when someone establishes a good practice, they will be rewarded for doing so and they will be rewarded for the actions of those that follow that practice. The opposite is also true, as the Prophet stated.

We ask Allah to grant us the ability to do things that please Him and His Beloved (peace and blessings be upon him) and that in doing so we set an example for others to follow.

 

Help protect and preserve the legacy of Islamic scholarship, donate your sadaqah and zakat to the Islamic Scholarship Fund today. 

The SeekersGuidance Media Equipment Appeal

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 Help SeekersGuidance To Raise $50,000 to Purchase Essential Media Equipment For Our Teaching Academy

 

Allah Most High says:

 

“…and whatever you spend of good – it will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.” (Quran 2: 272)

 

SeekersGuidance is committed to its vision of becoming a truly Global Islamic Seminary, providing benefit and positively impacting the lives of millions of people around the world.

By the Grace of God, each and every day SeekersGuidance is blessed to work alongside an array of leading scholars of Islam from across the globe, who use our platform to disseminate invaluable Prophetic guidance, light and clarity. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a surge in demand for online learning. As we further bolster our structured learning streams, it is of critical importance that our media team has access to the equipment they need to continue providing high quality Islamic educational offerings and clear structured learning streams.

During this critical time of our growth, SeekersGuidance is looking to raise $50,000 immediately, to help equip our global teachers with the tools they need to present new courses to the highest of standards. 

A Sadaqah Jariyah – Endless Charity, Endless Rewards

Donate to the SeekersGuidance Media Appeal

By donating to this worthwhile cause, you are providing a sadaqah jariyah – a continuous charity – that will continue to benefit hundreds of thousands of students for years to come.

Your contributions will help SeekersGuidance instructors with the essential media equipment that will allow us to record, edit and publish a range of dynamic Islamic educational content in the most aesthetically beautiful way, executed to the most excellent standards. 

Your support towards the SeekersGuidance Media Campaign will immediately increase both the quantity and quality of the SeekersGuidance video content, allowing us to produce more courses, events and online campaigns as well as enhancing the range of teachers that are on our platform.

“Charity does not decrease wealth.” (Muslim)

 

Just as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, whatever is given for Allah’s sake will never decrease one’s wealth; rather, it will bless, purify and increase it.

Reap countless rewards by donating to the SeekersGuidance Media appeal today. Your support is crucial in helping us reach our $50,000 target for this immediate need at SeekersGuidance. 

Donate to the SeekersGuidance Media Appeal

 

Can You Please Recommend a Book on the Fundamentals of Zakat?

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Question: Can you please recommend a book on the fundamentals of Zakat and it’s a calculation based on the current financial systems. Jazakallah Khair

Answer: Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

I recommend that you study zakat with a teacher. It is much better than relying on a book, as the teacher can expand and answer your questions. This is a good place to start:

Understanding Zakat: Practical Guidance on the Wisdom, Rules, and Etiquette of Giving Zakat

Ascent To Felicity, translated by Shaykh Faraz Khan, is an excellent resource. It is best studied with a teacher too.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Qur’anic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Qur’anic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.

Is Spending Money on Financially Stable Family Considered Charity?

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Question: If someone is spending money on his married sister who is financially stable, is it considered sadaqah? If it is not sadaqa but ihsan, what are the virtues of Ihsan? And is it better to spend his money as sadaqah to needy people or helping a community?

Answer:

Assalamu alaykum

The word sadaqa is often used as a broad term incorporating all good deeds. The Prophet (blessings upon him) said, “Every act of good is sadaqa.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

Therefore, what you give to your family members of monetary wealth to assist them is a form of sadaqa, even if they are financially stable. As to whether it is superior to give to the poor or family members, then the best approach is to strike a balance between the two. There may be some contexts where spending money on your family is required and appropriate, while other times it would be better to assist the poor and the community.

[Ustadh] Salman Younas

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Salman Younas was born in New York and graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Political Science and Religious Studies. After studying the Islamic sciences online and with local scholars in New York, Ustadh Salman moved to Amman. There he studies Islamic law, legal methodology, belief, hadith methodology, logic, Arabic, and tafsir. Ustadh Salman’s personal interests include research into the fields of law/legal methodology, hadith, theology, as well as political theory, government, media, and ethics.

Support Seekers in Building a Truly Global Islamic Seminary

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Support Seekers in Building a Truly Global Islamic Seminary

We are pleased and honored to announce the launch of the SeekersGuidance Year-End Campaign for 2020, Alhamdulillah. 

SeekersGuidance has been growing in reach and impact since it began in 2009. 

We have already served over 250,000 students so far – and had over three million unique visitors to our website, during the first half of 2020 alone.

We Need Your Support 

We are currently operating on a skeletal monthly budget of just $40,000 a month, which is less than a mid-sized local Islamic center. 

To present knowledge and guidance services and to fulfill our vision of becoming a truly Global Islamic Seminary – we critically need your support now to reach $60,000 in recurring monthly donations by the end of 2020.

 

SUPPORT SEEKERSGUIDANCE TODAY

 

Our Key Areas For Growth

By increasing our recurring monthly donations, we will be able to further develop our structured learning streams that allow anyone to personally connect with qualified, reliable, and specialized scholars, in a very engaging and interactive format – Completely Free.

Your support will help us to facilitate critical and impactful projects now – reaching our goal of serving 1,000,000 students by 2022.

 

No other Islamic Seminary reaches as many people, so consistently, so easily, and with such clarity, so imagine how much greater that impact and benefit could be if we are able to increase our organizational capacity.

Help SeekersGuidance Build A Truly Global Islamic Seminary and Support the Vision of Our Growth Fund Today

On behalf of everyone here at SeekersGuidance, please accept our gratitude for your continued support and contributions.

 

SUPPORT SEEKERSGUIDANCE TODAY

 

Download a Copy of Our Latest Growth Fund Brochure

Forms of Charity Not Permissible in Islam

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Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question: Amongst subcontinental Muslims, there is a practice of “sadaqa utarna” which is done when someone is suffering from sickness, or there is a suspicion of black magic. Something used for charity is cast over the affected person thrice, The object is then discarded or given to the poor for their use. Is this permissible or a bidah?

Answer: Wa ‘alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh

I pray you are well.

This practice does not have any basis in the sunna as far as I know and should be avoided. There are many sunna supplications, suras, and collections of verses which are effective in such matters. It is better to refer to them.

Innovations

An innovation, bid’a, is a practice that contradicts the spirit of the sunna. In a sense, it opposes and attempts the replace it. Otherwise, new practices are not automatically problematic. (Nabulsi, al Hadiqa al Nadiyya).

This is understood from the hadith of the Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace, “Whoever initiates in this matter of ours that which is not of it, it is completely rejected.“ (Bukhari) So, any matter which embodies the spirit of the sunna, and strives to achieve one of the higher aims of the Sacred Law, is not blameworthy – as long as it doesn’t contradict an established practice.

Seeking Protection and Healing

The Messenger of Allah, Allah bless him and give him peace would seek healing and protection through the recitation of the last two chapters of the Qur’an and various other supplication which can be found in Imam Nawawi’s Book of Remembrances. He also sought out conventional means of treatment when he was ill.

It is better to adopt this approach than to take up superstitious actions. Always remember the words of our Maker, “If Allah afflicts you with any harm then there is no one who can remove it save Him.” (Qur’an; 10:107)

The practice you described is not rooted in Islam, nor in any form of medicine. It’s the best shunned.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Qur’anic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Qur’anic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.

What Is the Ruling of the Prophetic Family Accepting Any Form of Charity?

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Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Question: Assalamu Aleykum, What is the ruling of the Prophetic Family accepting zakat or any form of charity?

Answer: Wa Aleykum Selam,

The basis is that the Prophetic Household, which comprises of the progeny of Ali, Abbass, Jafar, Aqil, and Hatith bin Abdul Muttalib does not accept any forms of charity. This is because Allah, Most High has forbidden for them the filth of the people (i.e. the impure wealth) and gave them one-fifth of the war spoils instead. [al-Lubab fi Sharh al-Kitab]

Since there is no longer any war spoils for the Prophetic Household to get a share of, many scholars have given a legal ruling (fatwa) that it is permissible for those of the Prophetic Household to accept charity if there is a necessity.

Those Who Permitted The Accepting of Charity for the Prophetic Household

Abu Isma who narrates from Imam Abu Hanifah (may Allah have mercy of them) that in his time it is permissible to give (charity) to the Prophetic Household. This is because the alternative, which is war spoils, does not reach them due to the negligence of people in giving of the war spoils to those who deserve it. Thus if the alternative does not reach them, then the original should be given, once again. [Hashiyah Ibn Abidin]

Also, Abu Yusuf (may Allah have mercy on him) is narrated to have permitted the Prophetic Household to give and accept charity from one another. This is also a narrated opinion from Imam Abu Hanifah. [Hashiyah Ibn Abidin]

The Cautious Stance

With that being said, there is expansiveness in the matter. If one, however, wanted to take the cautious stance of either taking charity only from those of the Prophetic Household or not taking it at all, that is their right and their cautiousness is praiseworthy.

In such a case, one should respectfully ask whether the one giving the money, intends it as charity or as a gift. If done with kindness and wisdom most would not take offense.

May Allah bless you
Allah A’alam

[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a graduate from Tarim; a student of Habib Umar and other luminaries; and authorized teachers of the Qur’an and the Islamic sciences.

Draw Near to Allah in Ramadan Through Service – Ustadha Umm Umar

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Ustadha Umm Umar reminds us of incorporating the aspect of service in Ramadan as a means of drawing near to Allah Most High. She advises to not make Ramadan just revolve around one’s self, rather to also be concerned with others and their needs. Ustadha Umm Umar gives key advice and practical methods on how to engage in service through Ramadan.

I wanted to talk about another aspect of Ramadan that sometimes we forget. Often people think of Ramdana as my month. It‘s between me and Allah. Then they sort of annihilate the idea of doing goodness to others. It’s about me and my time with Allah. About how much time I can put in with the Qur’an. And then when we talk about service some people get a little bit bitter.

Especially the sisters. They’re like, well, why do I have to be the one to do this? why do I have to be the one to cook the iftar? I’d like to spend all day reading Qur’an. It’s sort of losing sight of what Ramadan is really about. And what the the scholars today talked and emphasized a lot is the love of Allah Most High. And rectifying the self. Turning to Allah and asking for His forgiveness.

But these two concepts do not contradict each other. Rather they run in parallel. Because it’s when we turn help each other, help fellow believers, and it’s all done out of love for Allah, that we manifest that love. That we love to have His creation turned to Him. And if there is anything we can do to help other people turn towards Allah we should run to that opportunity. Whether that be to people in our own family, whether it be our children, whether it be members of our community. We should be avid to do what we can to help other people.

Balance Service and Self

That being said, it needs to be balanced of course, because you can’t just spend all of your Ramadan running around serving other people with neglect to oneself. One needs that personal time where you’re turning to Allah. Reading the Qur’an with reflection and understanding. Spending time reading other beneficial material or listening to beneficial lectures. Benefiting the self.

But there are a lot of things, there is a lot of extra time in the day, in which one can do things for other people. And as our teachers say, it’s almost as if there’s a sale during Ramadan, because now actions that you do are multiplied. Good actions that you do, even reading the Qur’an – all the good things that you can think of doing are multiplied. So it is best to take advantage of this time .

And doing what you can to help other people is also part of making the most of one’s time. It is not that one spends a little time in intensive worship and then closes the book and goes to relax, and just sort of vegetate for part of the day. Or one decides to go to sleep for another part of the day. One strives to make the most of every moment. As we should on every other day of the year.

We should make the most of all parts of our day on a daily basis. Even when we get up from this gathering we should be striving to make the most of our lives as believers. To make all of our moments count for us and not against us.

Primary Benefits of Service

There are three primary benefits of service. One is that it erases your past sins. When you do things for other people these things get erased. So there is nothing better you can ask for. We’ve all made mistakes in the past and would do anything to not face Allah with those on our record. And by His mercy He can forgive a lot of those things when you’re serving other people with that intention.

Another benefit of doing service at this time is that you get the dua of fasting people. When you’re doing things to benefit them you’re earning their dua. And Allah knows whose dua is accepted. When you’re doing it for a number of people, that includes even small children, know that when we do things for other people they make a dua for you.

The Hidden Secret of Service

And perhaps that single dua from one single person, child or adult, known or stranger, is the reason for your success. It might not be all of these customs that you’ve done in the past or all of these other things. It might be the dua of one elder in the community that you helped in a real time of need. Allah has this knowledge. It is with Allah Most High.

It’s a hidden secret in our service to other people that we don’t know where where our ultimate success will lie. And with what action and with what person. That leaves us continuously striving to do our best at every moment.

And finally the third aspect of service is that the deeds are multiplied during Ramadan. So one might be doing things for other people at other times of the year but in Ramadan these deeds are actually multiplied. They weigh heavier on your record. So strive in this regard and in sha Allah the reward for your service will be multiplied.

 

Draw Near to Allah in Ramadan Through Service