The best way to give charity in Islam is not limited to monetary spending or donations. Acts of charity include actions such as smiling, advising someone on something good, removing obstacles from the street, and so on.
Islam strongly recommends spending in the path of Allah. Unlike many religions, Islam does not want people to offer their wealth to God straight. Instead, God instructs us to spend our money on the poor and needy in our community.
As stated in the Qur’an, “I seek no livelihood from them, nor do I ask that they should feed Me.” (Qur’an, 51: 57). Contrary to this, God asks the believers, “Give to the near of kin his due, and also to the needy and the wayfarers…” (Qur’an, 17: 26).
Best Way to Give Charity in Islam
The alms (Zakat) are meant only for the poor and the needy and those who are in charge thereof, those whose hearts are to be reconciled; and to free those in bondage, and to help those burdened with debt, and for expenditure in the way of Allah and for the wayfarer. This is an obligation from Allah. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. (Qur’an, 9: 60).
Aside from the verses mentioned above, there are numerous verses and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that instruct Muslims to spend their wealth on the poor and oppressed. The Prophet’s (peace be upon him) life itself teaches a Muslim the best ways to give charity in Islam.
Types of Sadaqah (Charity)
The best way to give charity in Islam is not limited to monetary spending or donations. Acts of charity include actions such as smiling, advising someone on something good, removing obstacles from the street, and so on.
According to one of the sayings of Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), “Your smiling in the face of your brother is charity, commanding good and forbidding evil is charity, your giving directions to a man lost in the land is charity for you. Your seeing for a man who has weak sight is a charity for you, your removal of a rock, a thorn or a bone from the road is charity for you. Your pouring what remains from your bucket into the bucket of your brother is charity for you.” (Jami’ al-Tirmizi, 27: 62)
How charity was given by the most generous man, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him)
Feeding the poor – Best way to give charity in Islam
The Messenger of God, Muhammad (peace be upon him), was the most generous when it came to sharing food with the needy. His one of the most generous actions was that he shared food with the needy and the poor. Ibn ‘Abbas informed Ibn az-Zubayr, “I heard the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, ‘He is not a believer whose stomach is filled while his neighbor goes hungry.” (Al-Adab al Mufrad, 6: 112). So one of the best ways to give charity in Islam is to feed the poor and the homeless people.
Offering the Drinking Water
One of the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is to provide drinking water to those in need, and he encouraged his companions to do the same as an act of charity or one of the best ways to give charity in Islam. Sa’d ibn ‘Ubadah reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, my mother has died. Shall I give charity on her behalf?” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Yes.” I said, “Which charity is the best?” The Prophet said, “A drink of water.” 9Sunan al-Nasā’ī: 3664)
Helping the Orphans – Best way to give charity in Islam
The teachings of the Qur’an, for instance, say, “And they [the righteous] give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive…” (Quran, 76:08); similarly, those who ignore orphans are condemned by the Qur’an: “Have you seen the one who denies the Recompense [the religion]? For that is the one who drives away the orphan.” (Quran: 107: 1-2).
The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized protecting and sheltering the orphans. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was himself very kind to the orphans. Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “I and the one who looks after an orphan will be like this in Paradise,” showing his middle and index fingers and separating them. (Sahih al Bukhari, 68: 53). Supporting and feeding the orphans is one of the best ways to give charity in Islam.
Taking care of the Widows
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the first person in human history to elevate the status of widows to that of other humans. He himself married numerous widows, sheltered and protected them, and encouraged his companions to marry widows and provide them shelter. Women who rely solely on their husbands, after the death of the husband, become vulnerable and face significant financial difficulties.
Therefore, in prophetic traditions, such women were not neglected; rather, they were cared for and supported. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The one who looks after and works for a widow and for a poor person, is like a warrior fighting for Allah’s cause or like a person who fasts during the day and prays all the night.” Narrated Abu Huraira that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said as above. (Sahih al Bukhari, 78: 37) Taking cared of the widows is one of the best ways to give charity in Islam.
Best Way to Give Charity in Islam
