Benefits of Charity and Helping Others in Islam

19 Sep 2022
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Feeding Program

 

Defining Charity in Islam

 

There are varying benefits of charity and helping others in Islam, just like there are many ways through which you help those in need. 

In Islam, charity is the act of giving and providing for people in need. These acts include offering compassion, a helping hand, money, and whatever the poor and those in need lack, such as clothes and school supplies. In Islam, even a smile is considered a form of charity, as it gives out compassion to others. 

Charity in Islam can be in various forms and some examples are: 

 

   1. Zakat 

 

Zakat is the third pillar of Islam, and it refers to the charitable donations making up 2.5% of one’s wealth that has been in their possession for a whole lunar year. 

Zakat, unlike Sadaqah, is a mandatory donation required only of Muslims whose wealth reaches the Nisab. 

Nisab refers to the minimum amount of wealth a Muslim must have to be obliged to give Zakat, and it is measured by gold and silver. 

 

  • Gold: The gold standard for Nisab is 3 ounces of gold (87.48 grams) or its cash equivalent.
  • Silver: The silver standard for Nisab is 21 ounces of silver (612.36 grams) or its equivalent in cash. 

 

The recipients of Zakat include:  

  • The poor.
  • Those in need. 
  • Alms collectors.
  • Enslaved and trafficked people. 
  • People in heavy debt who cannot pay it back. 
  • Stranded travelers with little resources and help. This can include refugees and displaced people. 

 

   2. Sadaqah

 

On the other hand, Sadaqah is a voluntary act of charity in Islam that aims to help the poor and people in need.

It is important to keep in mind that for Sadaqah to be considered Sadaqah, the individual Muslim must give with no expectations of anything in return, but that doesn't eliminate its benefits. 

Sadaqah is divided into two types: 

 

  • Sadaqah Nafilah: This refers to any act of service, volunteering, or donation that helps other people, animals, nature, or society as a whole.

Some examples include smiling at others, donating to animal shelters, spreading knowledge, Du’a, getting rid of possibly harmful things on the road, helping a lost person, etc. 

 

  • Sadaqah Jariyah or Perpetual Charity: As for the second type of Sadaqah, it is any sort of charity that provides ongoing benefits. Examples include sponsoring an orphan, planting a tree, and contributing to building a school or a mosque.  

Now that you know what charity in Islam refers to and some of its types, continue reading to learn about the benefits of charity and helping others in Islam. 

 

What Are the Benefits of Charity in Islam?

 

Charity does not only help those who receive it but also benefits those who give it. Such benefits include: 

 

   1. Charity Cures Illnesses

 

Doing charity work, donating money, or any other form of charity helps cure illnesses. Therefore, if you or someone you know has fallen sick, it is best to give charity to help heal yourself or the person, especially that you can give Sadaqah on their behalf. 

The Prophet said, “Treat your sick ones with charity.” (Saheeh al-Jaami).

 

   2. Charity Eases Hardships 

 

Not only does charity ease hardships, but it also prevents them. The Prophet said: “Give Sadaqah without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.” (Tirmidhi). 

   3. Success and Wealth 

 

Allah promises Muslims who give to charity increased wealth and success in this life. 

“Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity and [they who] have loaned Allah a goodly loan - it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward.” (Al Hadeed 57:18)

If you want to help others and get the benefits of helping others and doing charity work, continue reading to learn more about Tkiyet Um Ali, its programs, and how to donate and volunteer with it. 

 

What is Tkiyet Um Ali (TUA)? 

 

Tkiyet Um Ali is an organization that aims at eradicating hunger in Jordan through its varying feeding programs, such as: 

 

  1. The Sustainable Food Aid Program (Monthly Aid Parcels). 
  2. The Wayfarer Program (Daily Hot Meals). 
  3. Mawaed Al Rahman Program, serving Iftar meals throughout Ramadan. 
  4. Adahi Program, which works on storing Adahi meat in TUA’s refrigerated warehouses to be distributed monthly to endorsed families. 

 

Not only can you donate to these programs and more by Tkiyet Um Ali’s various donation tools, but you can also become part of its volunteering programs. 

As a volunteer, you can participate and be part of the following processes: 

 

  • Serving daily hot meals to 350 - 400 people in need at TUA’s headquarters. 
  • Packaging monthly food parcels at TUA’s warehouses. 
  • Distributing food parcels to the endorsed families. 
  • Planting the unprivileged areas. 
  • Renovating or repairing houses of TUA’s endorsed families to improve the living conditions. 

Check Tkiyet Um Ali to learn more about its feeding programs, eradicating hunger project, volunteering opportunities, and more.