MODES OF SPENDING IN THE WAY OF ALLAH

Now see what modes have been prescribed for Muslims of spending in the way of Allah. I describe all these in serration:

1      Spending should be exclusively for the pleasure of God

The first and the foremost thing is that the sole aim of spending should be to earn the pleasure of God. It should never be the purpose to make anybody feel obliged to you, or to make you famous in the world.

"Whatever you spend, its objective is no other than earning Allah s countenance." (Al-Qur'an 2: 272)

"O Ye who believe! Render not vain your alms-giving by asserting your favour and causing injury like him who spends his wealth only to be seen of men and believes not in Allah and the Last Day. The example of his spending is that of a rock whereon is dust of earth; a rainstorm smiles it, leaving it smooth and bare." (Al-Qur'an 2 : 264)

2.     It should not be to assert favour

"The second thing is that no obligation should be asserted after giving any money to a needy person or after feeding or clothing him, and he should not be treated in a manner as to injure his feelings.

"Those who spend their wealth for the cause of Allah and afteward make not reproach and injury to follow that which they have spent, their reward is with their Lord, and there ,shall no fear conic upon them, neither shall they grieve. As for such alms-giving is followed by injury, it is much better than it to evade the beggar mildly and .say "Brother for-give me." (Al-Qur'an 2:262-263)

3.     Good things to be given

The third rule is that articles in good condition should be gig en in the way of Allah Bad ones should not be sorted out for this purpose Those who look for torn and old clothes to give to a poor man, or set apart the worst possible food to dole out to a beggar, should expect the same kind of reward from God

"O ye who believe! Spend of the good things which you have earned, and of that which We bring forth from the earth for vou, and seek not the bad to spend thereof" (Al-Qur'an 2:267)

          Give secretly as far as possible

The fourth rule is that spending should be done secretly as far as possible so that it does not get alloyed hypocrisy and v.ith ostentation. Although there is no harm in spending openly, yet it is far better to give in a concealed manner.

“If you do %our alms-giving openly, it is also well, but if you hide it and give it to the poor, it will be better for you, and will alone for some of your ill deeds." (Al-Quran 2:27l)

5.     Imbeciles not to be given beyond need

The fifth rule is that dull-headed and naive persons should not be given 'none) in excess of their actual need lest they should go astray and fall into bad habits. Whatever is given to them should be according to their position. Allah wants that food and clothing should be received even by the worst possible man as well as the greatest evil-doer, but no money should be given to loafers for drinking wine, using other and for gambling.

 “Do not hand over to the foolish your wealth which Allah has made a means of maintaining yourself, but give them out of it for feeding and clothing them." (Al-Qur'an 4:5)

6.     Defaulters not to be harassed

The sixth rule is that if some interestless loan is given to poor man to meet his need, he should not be harassed to return the money. On the other hand, he should be allowed time to pay it back conveniently. And if it is really known that he is unable to return the loan and if you have money enough to forego it, then it would be much better to write off the loan.

"And if the debtor is in straitened circumstances, then (left there be) postponement to (the time of) ease; and that you remit the debt as alms-giving would be better for you if you did but know its benefit”. (Al-Qur'an 2: 180)

7.     Moderation in alms-giving

The seventh rule is that man should not exceed the limit in alms-gibing Allah does not want that you should underfeed your wife and children and gibe away in charity all you have In fact. He wants you to spend on yourself and your family as much as a man needs to lead a simple life, and gn e away the remaining part in the cause of Allah.

“They ask you what they ought to spend? Say 0 Prophet! that which is surplus." (Al-Qur'an 2: 219)

"The faithful servants of Allah are those who, when they spend, are neither prodigal nor grudging, and theirs is ever a firm station in the middle of the two extremes (Al-Qur'an 25:67)

"Let not the hand be chained to thy neck nor open it with a complete opening, lest thou sit down rebuked, denuded." (Al-Qur'an 17: 29)

THOSE DESERVING OF HELP

Finally, you must know that Allah has given a full list of those to whom help is due. You can find out from it which people deserve your help and to whom Allah has given a share in your earnings:

"Give the kinsman his due, and the needy, and wayfarer." (Al-Qur'an 17: 26)

"And righteous is he who gives his wealth, for love of Him, to poor kinsfolk and to orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who ask, and to set slave free." (Al-Qur'an 2: 177)

"Treat with kind help your parents, and near kindred and orphans, and the needy, and the neighbour who is of kin to you and the neighbour who is not of kin, and those who are around you and the wayfarer and your slaves." (Al-Qur'an 4: 36)

"And the righteous feed with food the needy wretch, the orphan and the prisoner, for love of Him (saying): We feed you for the sake of Allah only. We wish for no reward nor thanks from you Lo! We fear from our Lord that day due to the severity of which faces will contract and visages will be contorted (i.e., Doomsday)." (Al-Qur'an 76: 8, 10)

"And in their wealth have due share those who ask for help and those who are deprived." (Al-Qur'an 51: 19)

"Alms are for those needy people who having given all their time to the cause of Allah are so pressed that they cannot run about for their livelihood. The unthinking man accounts them wealthy because of their restraint but you can judge their plight from their faces. They do not beg of men with importunity. And whatever good thing you give in charity, Allah will know it and reward you for it." (Al-Qur'an 2: 2 73)