| Islam has moulded moderation in every aspect of a human life. With imaan on Allah and the last day, muslims fear before harming anyone. The moderation of marriage is set because of a human need to it. Similarly Allah Ta`ala has set moderation in wealth distribution. Every year rich muslim of a country give the poor muslims of their respective country. This close the gap between the rich and the poor and brings a more fluid economy. In brief moderation is healthy. Because Ramadhaan is a promotion on getting more sawaab, it has become the Islamic month that muslims discharge their obligation of Zakaat, Sadaqatul fitr, lillahs, etc. As such we need to know etiquettes around these financial responsabilities. Know that Zakaat should be given only to a poor who does not have nisaab. So one cannot discharge Zakaat to someone walking by that we do not know his financial capacity. We need to enquire before giving Zakaat and should be given to muslims only. But how should we react to the one knocking at our door? First of all know that Qur-aan instruct us to act gently to anyone, even a beggar. Allah Ta`ala says: ‘‘Kind speech and forgiveness are better than charity followed by harm.’’(2:263) So excuse yourself if you have nothing on you. You have no right to rebuke him with harsh words. Allah Ta`ala says:’’And about a beggar, so do not rebuke.’’(93:10) 2. If you have money on you, then do not let him go without giving him something, even very little. Sadaqah needs no research on the person. So one may give any amount of sadaqah to the beggar. Sadaqah is primarily for poor muslims, but permissible to give to non muslims. Do not refuse anyone because Allah Ta`ala twice said that a person asking for money or a deprived has a right in our wealth: ‘And from their properties there are rights of the one who ask(beggar) and the deprived.’(51:19) And also read the lengthy hadith in Bukhari where the beloved prophet SAW said that there was 3 poor and sick persons in the past. Allah Ta`ala sent an angel in human body to address them, cure them and enrich them. Then they were tested afterwards by an angel in the form of a beggar. The ones who refused the beggar became poor and sick again. Only the one who accepted to give the beggar got saved with health and wealth. So do give something…as this beggar in front of your door may be a test from Allah. Also, it is reported we are prescribed to give sadaqah daily. It is reported in Muslim Shareef that an angel announce daily: O Allah do provide for the one who spend. Another angel then says: O Allah finish the one who do not spend! Finally the beloved prophet SAW told us to act kindly to poor beggars because some of them are very close to Allah. Some of them are already warranted to Jannah. Know that sadaqah appease Allah Ta`ala`s anger and save oneself from brutal death.(Tirmizi) ثُمَّ لَيَقِفَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ اللَّهِ لَيْسَ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَهُ حِجَابٌ وَلَا تَرْجُمَانٌ يُتَرْجِمُ لَهُ ثُمَّ لَيَقُولَنَّ لَهُ أَلَمْ أُوتِكَ مَالًا فَلَيَقُولَنَّ بَلَى ثُمَّ لَيَقُولَنَّ أَلَمْ أُرْسِلْ إِلَيْكَ رَسُولًا فَلَيَقُولَنَّ بَلَى فَيَنْظُرُ عَنْ يَمِينِهِ فَلَا يَرَى إِلَّا النَّارَ ثُمَّ يَنْظُرُ عَنْ شِمَالِهِ فَلَا يَرَى إِلَّا النَّارَ فَلْيَتَّقِيَنَّ أَحَدُكُمْ النَّارَ وَلَوْ بِشِقِّ تَمْرَةٍ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ فَبِكَلِمَةٍ طَيِّبَةٍ بخاري The beloved prophet SAW said: ‘‘…and finally you would be standing in front of Allah without any separation in between and without any translator translating for him. Allah Ta`ala will ask: Didn`t I give you wealth. He would reply affirmative. Then Allah Ta`ala will ask: Didn`t I send to you a messenger? He would reply affirmative. Then he would look on his right and he will find only fire. Then he would look to his left and he will see only fire. So save yourself against the fire even by giving away a piece of date. And if you cannot find that also, then answer with polite words.’’(Bukhari) So when we will be alone on our ourselves in front of the inventory of our actions in front of Allah, then sadaqah will be our saviour. Nontheless, in some countries where there is no personnal safety, then opening the door to beggars may endanger the person or the family, then it is permissible not open the door so as not endanger one`s safety. So in those countries, one may daily drop some coins in a box with niyah of sadaqah. Then weekly or monthly do give a poor person in safe environment. But wherever there is no danger, then we are prescribed to give, even a little. During Ramadhaan, it is sunnah to spend more. |