How generous are Muslims in giving to charity?
A 2013 UK poll found Muslims among Britain's most generous givers. The Times newspaper reported that more than seven in ten Muslims give to charity, with Muslims topping the poll by giving an average of almost £371 each per year. Although there's a perception that most of this giving comes from men, given their traditional responsibility to provide for the family, women have been equally praised for their generosity throughout Islamic history.
How did Aisha (RA) give her charity?
It's said that Aisha (RA), the Mother of the Believers, would perfume her money before giving it away, explaining that the charity would reach Allah before it reached the hands of the needy, and so she wanted it given in its best, most fragrant form. On another occasion, when she had little to offer but a single grape, she gave it to a poor man. Asked what value a single grape could have as charity, she answered with these verses from the Qur'an:
“So whoever does an atom's weight of good will see it, And whoever does an atom's weight of evil will see it.”
For Aisha (RA), it was clear that it is the act of charity that is rewarded by Allah, not simply the amount given.
How did Khadijah (RA) use her wealth for Islam?
Khadijah (RA), another of the Mothers of the Believers, was one of the wealthiest and most respected businesswomen of her time, running her trading ventures successfully as a single parent. After marrying the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and witnessing his Prophethood, she supported him and his message with everything she had: spending her wealth to spread the message of Islam, free slaves who had embraced the faith, and shelter the early Muslim community when it was ostracised.
Can charity be given without money?
From these two examples, we can see a strong link between women and sadaqah throughout Islamic history. But charity isn't limited to wealth. As the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ explained:
“Your smile to your brother is a sadaqah for you. Your commanding the right and forbidding the wrong is a sadaqah. Your guiding a man in the land of misguidance is a sadaqah for you. Your seeing (showing the way) for a man with bad eyesight is a sadaqah for you. Your removing a stone or thorn or bone from the road is a sadaqah for you. Your emptying your bucket of water into your brother's (empty) bucket is a sadaqah for you.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Aisha (RA) teach about the value of charity?
She taught that charity is judged by Allah on the sincerity of the act rather than its size, illustrated when she gave a single grape and quoted the Qur'anic verses on the weight of an atom's worth of good or evil.
How did Khadijah (RA) support the early Muslim community?
She used her wealth as a successful trader to fund the spread of Islam, free enslaved people who had embraced the faith, and shelter the Muslim community during a period of persecution.
Is charity in Islam only about giving money?
No. Acts such as a smile, guiding someone who is lost, or removing harm from a road are all described as forms of sadaqah in the hadith.
