Abdul Muqit Chowdhury :
Charity is of great virtue in Islam as humanistic ideal and humanitarian activity is the core of its message. The Holy Quran and Sunnah praise it and describe reward of those who spend in the way of Allah.
The Holy Quran reveals : “The parable of those/Who spend their substance/In the way of God is that/Of a grain of corn ; it growth/Seven ears, and each ear/Hath a hundred grains./God giveth manifold increase/To whom He pleaseth:/And God careth for all/And He knoweth all things.” (Sura Baqara : 261, The Holy Quran : Translation and Commentary by A. Yusuf Ali)
“Those who spend/Their substance in the cause/Of God, and follow not up /Their gifts with reminders/Of their generosity /Or with injury-for them/Their reward is with their Lord:/On them shall be no fear,/Nor shall they grieve.” (Sura Baqara : 262 , Do)
“Kind words/And the covering of faults/ Are better than charity/Followed by injury./God is free of all wants,/And He is most Forbearing.” (Sura Baqara : 263 , Do)
Allama Yusuf Ali comments on this verse : “A very high standard is set for charity. (1) It must be in the way of God. (2) It must expect no reward in this world. (3) It must not be followed by references and reminders to the act of charity. (4) Still less should any annoyance or injury be caused to the recipient. e.g. boasting that the giver relieved the person in the hour of need. Indeed, the kindness and the spirit which turns a blind eye to other people’s faults or shortcomings is the essence of charity ; these things are better than charity if charity is spoilt by tricks that do harm. At the same time, while no reward is to be expected, there is abundant reward from God – material, moral and spiritual – according to His own good pleasure and plan. If we spend in the way of God, it is not as if God was in need of our charity. On the contrary our shortcomings are so great that we require His utmost forbearance before any good that we can do can merit His praise or reward. Our motives are so mixed that our best may really be very poor if judged by a very strict standard.” (Do)
The reward for any virtuous dead in the Holy Ramzan is far greater than in other months. Charity in Ramzan has the same acceptance to Allah. The wealthy persons in the society may avail this golden opportunity by extending helping hands to the needy, distressed and have-nots.
