What is the importance of giving and spending in the way of allah?
Infaq, means financially aiding people who are poor and needy from those with whom one is related or not related to, in order to ensure their maintenance. In many ayahs of the Qur’an, ‘’spending in the path of Allah’’ has been ordered and advised to wealthy Muslims, people who spend in the path of Allah are praised:
Allah Ta’ala states in this way in the Qur’an:
“… For those who have believed among you and spent, there will be a great reward.”[1]
“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed [of grain] which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies [His reward] for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.”[2]
“Those who spend their wealth [in Allah ‘s way] by night and by day, secretly and publicly – they will have their reward with their Lord. And no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve.“[3]
“And spend [in the way of Allah ] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, “My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous.”[4]
Not helping the poor, destitute, orphans even though the person has the means, is an action that will lead the person to jahannam. We understand this from this ayah:
“(They ask) What has caused you to enter Hell? They will say, “We were not of those who prayed. Nor did we used to feed the poor.”[5]
When Allah Ta’ala explains the believers who possess taqwa, he says this about them: “… They spend out of what we have provided for them.’’[6] As it can be understood from the ayah, Allah is the one who gives wealth and rizq to people, people should be aware of this and in turn they should not be stingy towards the poor. They should help and protect those needy people. When they do this, they will receive the thawab and the reward tenfold from Allah Ta’ala. Because our Prophet-peace be upon him-stated the following: “Whoever meets a need of his Muslim brother Allah will meet a need of his own. Whoever saves a Muslim from a trouble, Allah will save him from one of his troubles on the Day of Judgment.’’[7]
They should try to spend in Allah’s cause in prosperity and in adversity. Allah Ta’ala states: “Those who spend [in Allah’s Cause – deeds of charity, alms, etc.] in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves the doers of good.”[8]
Rasulullah even encourages those who have nothing to help others in the cause of Allah. For example even though Abu Zar r.a was one of the most poor people of the sahabah, he even encouraged him to carry out infaq, he stated:
“–O Abu Zar! When you are making soup add alot of water so as to look out for your neighbor!”[9]
This is why the ashab al-qiram were always striving to carry out the infaq. Hazrat Omar-r.a- brought half of his belongings for the Tabuk journey; and Hazrat Abu Bakr-r.a- had spent all of his wealth for the sake of Allah.
After he is married a husband is required to ensure the maintenance of himself, his wife and his children. Money that will be spent on the family is in the ruling of sadaqa. It is stated in the hadith:
“If a Muslim ensures the maintenace of their family with the hope of gaining Allah’s approval, this will be like sadaqa for him.’’
Attempting to help people who are far away when there are people in the family going through great difficulty, is not in accordance with the maslahah. And the one who has a debt to someone else should firstly pay off this debt. Our Prophet stated:
‘’The most excellent dinar is one that a person spends on his family, and the dinar which he spends on his riding-animal in the way of Allah (in Jihad), and the dinar he spends on his companions in the way of Alla”[10]
The most virtuous way to spend for the person who has a good financial situation is for them to spend in order to help their needy relatives. Our Prophet-peace be upon him-has brought attention to this circumstance;
“Spend money on yourself first, and then on those whom you have to look after’’[11]
It is stated in the ayah:
“…To parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess.“[12]
Women have also been encouraged to spend for those in need. Hazrat Muhammad said this one day while addresssing women, He stated;
“O women, even if it is from your adornments, give the sadaqa.’’
If the husband of the woman is poor she must help him from her wealth. Our Prophet has stated: “Your husband and child are the most deserving people for you to spend your wealth on.”[13]
Sadaqa is also reason for goods and wealth to increase. Our Prophet-peace be upon him-stated ‘’Sadaqa does not decrease wealth.“[14]
[1] Surat Hadid, Ayah 7[2] Surat Baqarah, Ayah 261[3] Surat Baqarah, Ayah 274[4] Surat Munafiqun, Ayah 10[5] Surat Muddathir, Ayahs 40-44[6] Surat Baqara, Ayah 3[7] Sahihu’l-Muslim, Kitabu’l-Birr wa’s-Sila, 58.[8] Surat Al-i Imran, Ayah 134[9] Muslim, Birr, 142[10] Muslim, Zakat, 38; Ibn Majah, Jihad, 4; Ahmad b. Hanbal, V, 279, 284[11] Bukhari, Zakat 18, Nafakat 3; Muslim, Zakat 41; Tirmidhi, Zakat 38, Zuhd 32; Nesai, Zakat, 51, 53, 60[12] Surat Nisa, Ayah 36[13] Abu Dawud, Zakat, 44; Talaq, 19[14] Sahihu’l-Muslim, Kitabu’l-Birr wa’s-Sila, 19.
Source: Fiqh1 (According To The Maliki School Of Islamic Law), Erkam Publications
