to give is to receive

ِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ

السلام عليكم

I have always believed to give willingly, to give charity, to be open handed and generous always leads to receiving. If not materialistic gains, then spiritual and character gains. I have always tried to help people out. If anyone has ever needed money I would, without thought give to them, voluntary work has also been something I would do between study or jobs. Its so fulfilling to do something not expecting anything in return. Alhamdulillah I also married a man who too is very generous MashAllah. If someone asked for help he would help out. He has taught me the beauty of sadaqah, he gives to the mosque without fail or thought, I truly believe everything we have in life is not only from Allah(swt) but also from the barakah that charity produces. I have known many people in my life who never put their hand out, or who want something in return for some good deed, these people never seem to get anywhere. They are like cats chasing their own tails, they go round and round thinking if I hold on tightly to my money I will be able to do this and this, but in fact they get nowhere.

The Prophet (saw) said in the following hadeeth:


Abu Musa narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, “Every Muslim has to give in sadaqah (charity).” The people asked, “O Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.)! If someone has nothing to give, what will he do?” He said, “He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns).” The people further asked, “If he cannot do even that?” He replied, “Then he should help the needy who appeal for help.” Then the people asked, “If he cannot do that?” He replied, “Then he should perform all that is good and keep away from all that is evil and this will be regarded as charitable deeds.” (Bukhari Vol. 2, Hadith 524)


People often forget that sadaqah or charity need not be purely financial. Charity is also time and work done for the sake of Allah for those in need. How beautiful is that. The more we give sadaqah the more we increase our eeman and thus, expect Allah’s rewards both in this world and in the life hereafter. Giving charity out of our wealth does not decrease our wealth but instead Allah (swt) increases it:


Abu Hurairah (r.a.) reported Allah’s Messenger (s.a.w.s.) as saying: “Charity does not in any way decrease the wealth and the servant who forgives, Allah adds to his respect; and the one who shows humility, Allah elevates him in the estimation (of the people).”  (Muslim Vol. 4, Hadith  6264)

Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day, in secret and in public have their reward with their Rabb (only God and Sustainer). On them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.” (Qur‘an, 2:274)

“…that which you give for charity, seeking the Countenance of Allah, (will increase); it is those who will get a recompense multiplied.” (Qur’an, 30:39)


*To be able to enjoy Allah’s tremendous rewards for every sadaqah that we give, we need to observe the following teachings:

1. Sadaqah must be done sincerely for the pleasure of Allah and not out of riya‘ (show off) to gain praise or recognition from others
2. It is better to conceal what we give or do as sadaqah
3. Sadaqah must be from halal (lawful) source
4. Begin charity with your dependents
5. Not to delay giving of sadaqah nor show lethargy or negligence in giving sadaqah
6. Do not count the sadaqah you give:
7. Seek only the desire to see Allah, which is the supreme success in Paradise. Do not expect favor or reward from any person for the sadaqah you give*

Honestly and personally for me the person that I lose the most respect for is the one who is tight with their money. The one who affords the luxuries in life but never seems to have any money on them. Who never reaches out their hand when need be.

Abu Hurairah (r.a.) narrated that the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, “Every day two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says, ‘O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your cause’, and the other (angel) says, ‘O Allah! Destroy every miser.’”   (Bukhari, Vol. 2, Hadith 522)

May Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful give us opportunities to do many ways of giving sadaqah for His pleasure and reward us, especially in the Hereafter.  May we spend our lives, time, money and efforts or everything in us to do deeds that Allah accepts as forms of sadaqah solely for His Sake.   May our Rabb save us from the Hell-Fire by protecting us from being miser.  Ameen