Rewards of Feeding Others in Islam

18 Dec 2023
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Feeding others is hugely encouraged in Islam since it is beneficial for the individual and society as a whole,which is why it is mentioned in the Holy Quran and Hadith.. 

 

So, what are the rewards of feeding others? Is feeding others considered to be Sadaqah? What are some societal benefits of feeding others? Continue reading this article to learn the answers and more.  

 

Feeding Others in Islam: Meaning, Quran, and Hadith

 

Feeding others is one of the charitable deeds in Islam, and it includes donating food and water to others, to get closer to Allah and seek his rewards. It was mentioned in the Quran and Hadith to highlight its importance.

 

  • Feeding Others in Islam: In the Quran

 

Allah describes the believers as virtuous in the Quran: “, and give food—despite their desire for it—to the poor, the orphan, and the captive.” (Al-Insan 5 - 8).

 

Those who feed others in Islam are promised paradise: “Or to give food in times of famine, to an orphaned relative, or to a poor person in distress, and—above all—to be one of those who have faith and urge each other to have perseverance and urge each other to have compassion, these are the people of the right.” (Al-Balad 14 - 18).

 

  • Feeding Others in Islam: In Hadith

 

Abdullah bin 'Amr bin Al-'as (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: A man asked the Messenger of Allah PBUH: "Which act in Islam is the best?" He replied, "To give food, and to greet everyone, whether you know or you do not." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

 

In another Hadith, 'Abdullah bin Salam (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet PBUH said, "O people, promote the greetings, feed (the poor and needy) and perform Salat when others are asleep so that you will enter Jannah safely."

 

Feeding Others in Islam: Types 

 

Feeding others comprises various types, some of which are: 

 

  1. Donating parts of Udhiyah. 
  2. Feasts: Inviting people over for food. 
  3. Wedding banquets. 
  4. Aqiqah: It is the sacrifice of livestock when having a newborn. 
  5. Honoring guests and visitors. 
  6. Feeding neighbors. 
  7. Feeding animals and birds: Feeding others in Islam includes all living beings. 

 

Rewards of Feeding Others 

 

The below points showcase the rewards and benefits of feeding others in Islam: 

 

  1. It is one of the best acts in Islam, as shown in the Hadith mentioned previously. 
  2. It is a means of getting closer to Allah like the Qudsi Hadith above elaborated. 
  3. Societal benefits of feeding others: Donating food achieves solidarity, it purges people from greed, hatred, and stinginess, it helps spread the religion, creating a Muslim community with Islamic habits.
  4. Muslims express their gratitude to Allah by feeding others, like with wedding banquets and Aqiqah.
  5. Muslims feeding others gain blessings and guidance from Allah, just like Prophet Muhammad had before prophecy because he used to feed people. 
  6. Those who donate food gain great rewards from Allah. ‘A’isha said the Prophet asked how much was left of a sheep that they had killed, and when she told him that only its shoulder remained, he replied, “The whole of it is left except its shoulder.”

 

Feeding Others in Islam: Is It Sadaqah?

 

Sadaqah (charity) in Islam includes two types, the first is Zakat, which is the obligatory charity, and the second type is the Sadaqah Nafilah, which includes all types of charitable acts to the poor and needy, such as feeding them. 

 

It is worth noting that feeding others in Islam is not considered to be Sadaqah Jariyah, because it is money given to the poor, so they benefit from it once, and its effects are not continuous. 

 

Family Sponsorships With Tkiyet Um Ali 

 

Tkiyet Um Ali (TUA) is a humanitarian organization that aims to achieve a hunger-free country. Therefore, it works on eradicating hunger and malnutrition in Jordan through its feeding programs, such as the Wayfarer Program. It provides daily hot meals in the organisation’s headquarters, where people who cannot afford lunch can have a meal supplying 60% of their daily calorie needs. 

 

Another feeding program from TUA is the Sustainable Food Aid program, which provides monthly food parcels for families living in extreme poverty. These parcels are customized according to the number of family members, so parcels cover each family’s nutrition needs. 

Do you want to gain the rewards of feeding others in Islam? You can sponsor a family and help provide them with food parcels through TUA. Tkiyet Um Ali also allows donors to choose the family they sponsor. Discover family sponsorships with TUA now for more details.