What is the etiquette of spending for Allah’s sake?
ماهي آداب الإنفاق في سبيل الله؟
In Islam, the manner in which you give charity is just as important as the charity itself. Proper etiquette protects the reward of the donor and the dignity of the receiver.
في الإسلام، الطريقة التي تتصدق بها لا تقل أهمية عن الصدقة ذاتها. فالآداب السليمة تحمي أجر المتصدق وتحفظ كرامة المتلقي.
The Four Rules of Charitable Etiquette | القواعد الأربع لآداب الصدقة
1. Absolute Sincerity
To do it with sincerity seeking Allah’s pleasure.
1. الإخلاص التام
الإخلاص لله تعالى، يبتغي وجه الله.
2. Avoiding Reminders and Harm
To avoid talking about one’s own generosity and charity given to that person lest those words reach the one who has been given a charity, and becomes hurt. Harm: is to speak down to the person who received charity, and to treat him with disrespect.
2. ترك المن والأذى
ترك المن والأذى. والمن هو أن يتحدث المعطي بما أعطى إلى أن يبلغ ذلك المعطى فيؤذيه. أما الأذى: فهو التطاول على من أعطاه بالتطاول والسب.
3. Lawful and Pure Wealth
To make sure that the money given in charity is legal money.
3. المال الحلال الطيب
تحري الإنفاق من المال الطيب.
4. Moderation in Spending
Spending in moderation: so one should not be miserly, nor should he be spendthrift.
4. الاعتدال في الإنفاق
الاعتدال في الإنفاق، فلا يقتر ولا يبخل في النفقة ولا يسرف ويتجاوز الاعتدال.
Frequently Asked Questions | الأسئلة الشائعة
Why is sincerity (Ikhlas) the first rule of charity?
Sincerity is the foundation of all worship in Islam. If a person gives charity to show off, gain political favor, or be praised by people, the spiritual reward is nullified because the act was not done exclusively for the sake of Allah.
What does it mean to ensure the money is "legal"?
It means the wealth must be Halal (lawful). Money earned from theft, fraud, interest (Riba), or selling prohibited items cannot be used for charity. Allah only accepts charity that comes from pure and honest earnings.
How can a person practice moderation in charity?
Moderation means giving generously without becoming destitute. A person should not be so miserly that they ignore the needy, nor should they give away so much that they cannot feed their own family or pay their debts.