Article appeared Friday, November 4th, 2016 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (449)

yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Do we give charity, or donate to a charity organization? Why do we give charity is there a

reason or a purpose? Is it important to think about or ask about this, the art of giving? Is money
the only thing one can give? To help understand what one can give Erich Fromm is quoted {1}
to have said,
Give others all that is alive in usour interest, understanding, our knowledge, our
humor, everything in us thats good. In doing so, we enhance the sense of aliveness in
others while enhancing our own. When we give, we get a heightened vitality of what it
means to be human. {1}
The ability to give is innately human. If one is rich, he/she has the option to give to someone
who has a need. If someone has more knowledge, he/she can share it with another. As each
person is different, one always has something that he/she can give to others. This realization
that we have more, and have the power to give, gives us the heightened vitality. The question
is, however, is one motivated to give? One may have a variety of reasons for giving. Among
these as given in the website, Master the Art of Giving {1},
There are as many reasons to give as there are ways to give. Some people give for
recognition. They want their names in programs, on park benches and in hospital
lobbies. Others give expecting to be paid back or thanked, they give to get. Some people
want a hands-on-experience and are generous with their time. Some like to give
anonymously and dont want any recognition at all. People who truly master the art of
giving give out of the goodness of their hearts with no self-serving motives. Giving
becomes a blessing for the giver and receiver. {1}
When we give, can we possibly hide the reason for giving from our Creator? In the Holy Quran,
Allah says,
Your Lord knows best what is in your hearts: if you do deeds of righteousness verily He
is Most Forgiving to those who turn to Him again and again. [17.25]
In the sight of the Creator what would be the most appropriate attitude behind giving? To answer
this question, let us ask some more questions. Who has made us unique? Who has given us
whatever blessing or skill we have? When we give, we are in fact, simply sharing a blessing that
Allah has given with our fellow creation. So should we turn to the Master Giver and thank Him?
It is appropriate that we be grateful for having the blessing or skill itself; for the ability to give and
also for the good feeling inside us when we share His blessings.
By giving, if we feel that we would lose something, Allah says,
The Evil One threatens you with poverty and bids you to a conduct unseemly. Allah
promises you His forgiveness and bounties and Allah cares for all and He knows all
things (going on). [2.268]
On the contrary, blessings and skills provide us an opportunity to do good things with an
intention to please Allah. We can also do things directly for Allah. For example, share knowledge
about Allah with others, help others get rid of false/imagined powers/gods, spend money to help
educate others about Allah, etc. Regarding doing things for Allah, He says,
The parable of those who spend their substance in the way of Allah is that of a grain of
corn: it grows seven ears and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold
increase to whom He pleases; and Allah cares for all and He knows all things. [2.261]

And the likeness of those who spend their substance seeking to please Allah to
strengthen their souls is as a garden high and fertile: heavy rain falls on it but makes it
yield a double increase of harvest and if it receives not heavy rain light moisture suffices
it. Allah sees well whatever you do. [2.265]
In fact, the purpose of our temporary sojourn on earth is to provide an opportunity to
demonstrate our preferences towards Allah, the Giver.
He Who created Death and Life that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is
the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving. [67.2]
The system of death with subsequent life is to reward those who please Allah, the Creator, and
do good things. During our sojourn, in addition, Allah also commands giving to relatives, those in
need and the traveler who may be in need.

17.26 And render to the kindred their due rights as (also) to those in want and to
the wayfarer: but squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift.
Allah gives the following eight categories for sharing from the resources we are blessed with.
Alms are for the poor and the needy; and those employed to administer the (funds); for
those whose hearts have been (recently) reconciled (to the truth about Allah); for those
in bondage and in debt; in the cause of Allah; and for the wayfarer: (thus is it) ordained
by Allah and Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom. [9.60]
However, Allah strongly recommends a wise and balanced approach to giving of wealth. We
should not squander Allahs blessings.

17.27 Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones; and the Evil One is to his
Lord (himself) ungrateful.
Satan not only threatens poverty when we spend, he also encourages overspending as a virtue.
We must be aware that it may not be possible to serve all those who are in need.

17.28 And even if you have to turn away from them; in pursuit of the mercy from
your Lord which you yourself expect, speak to them a word of easy kindness.
And hoarding of wealth and stinginess is discouraged. A clear balance is recommended.

17.29 Make not your hand tied (like a niggard's) to your neck nor stretch it forth
to its utmost reach so that you become blameworthy and destitute.
Remember, all blessings are given by Allah. He only wants to see what we individually do with
what He has given.

17.30 Verily your Lord provides sustenance in abundance for whom He pleases
and He provides in a just measure: for He knows and looks after all His servants.
Children are given as a blessing. Allah also cares and looks after them.

17.31 Kill not your children for fear of want: We shall provide sustenance for
them as well as for you: verily the killing of them is a great sin.
---------{Notes}:
{1} http://www.unwrapyourmind.com/master-the-art-of-giving-master-the-art-of-giving/