Imaam Ibn Qudaamah Al-Maqdisi -rahimahullaah-
Said:
Virtues and Ethics of optional charity.
The virtues of optional charity are numerous. Below are some of the common virtues.
1. It is reported from Abdullahi Ibn Mashud radiyallaahu anhu-who said-The Messenger of Allah salallaahu alayhi wasallam said:
“Who among you the wealth of his heirs are more dearer to him than his own wealth? They said: oh Messenger of Allah salallaahu alayhi wasallam, there is none among us except his own wealth is more dearer to him.” The Messenger salallaahu alayhi wasallam then said:
” so his wealth is whatever he spends ( in the cause of Allah) while the wealth of his heirs is whatever he leaves after his death.”
Transmitted and Recorded by Imaam Bukhaari in his ‘Sahih’#6442.
2. It is reported from Abu Hurairah radiyallaahu anhu who said- The Messenger of Allah salallaahu alayhi wasallam said:
“Whosoever gives out charity something equal to a date from his lawfully gained money- for nothing ascends to Allah except that which is good- then Allah will take it with His Right Hand, and bring it up for its owner as anyone of you brings up a baby horse until it becomes like a mountain.”
Transmitted by Imaam Bukhaari in his ‘Sahih’#7430 and Imaam Muslim in his ‘sahih’#1014.
3. In another Hadith, it is also reported from Abu Hurairah- who said-The Messenger of Allah salallaahu alayhi wasallam said:
“Charity does not in any way decrease one’s wealth”
Transmitted and recorded by Imaam Muslim in his ‘Sahih’#2588.
It is reported from Aisha radiyallaahu anha that they slaughtered a sheep. Then the Messenger of Allah salallaahu alayhi wasallam asked her by saying;
” what is remained of it (I.e after giving charity)?”
She then said: “Nothing has remained except its shoulder.”
The Messenger of Allah salallaahu alayhi wasallam now said:
“All of it has remained except its shoulder ( meaning that what is given as charity will remain for them in the Hereafter.)”
Transmitted and recorded by Imaam At-Timidhi in ‘Sunan’#2087. Shaykh Al-Albaani declared it as sahih in ‘Sahihu At-targheeb wat-tarheeb’#849.
Lastly, the ethics of optional charity are the same as the ethics of obligatory zakah.
However, the ulamaa have differed on deciding which is better for the poor either to take from zakah or from optional charity.
Some ulamaa have preferred the former while others have given precedence to the latter.
As for the best charity, it is explained in the Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah radiyallaahu anhu who said- The Messenger of Allah salallaahu alayhi wasallam was asked that which of the charity is the best?
The Messenger of Allah salallaahu alayhi wasallam said:
“To give in charity while you are healthy and greedy, you are afraid of becoming poor and hoping to become wealthy. Do not delay giving out charity until the time you will be on the deathbed when you say, ‘ Give so so amount to so and so ‘ and at that time the property is not yours but it belongs to so and so ( I.e your inheritor).”
Transmitted and recorded by Imaam Bukhaari in ‘sahih’#1419 and Imaam Muslim in his ‘sahih’#1032.
Allaahu A’alam! Baarakallaahu feekum!
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