The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: "The believer's shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity." - Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 604

1. Islamic Emphasis on Charity and its Importance According tothe Quran and
Hadith
Don’t Delay
The ProphetMuhammad (SAW) oncehad severalcoinsthatheasked his wife to distributein charity.But
dueto the Prophet'sillness at thetime, she did nothave an opportunity to giveoutthe coins.When the
Prophetlearned of this, he asked forthecoins, placed them in his hand,and then said:"Whatwould
God's Prophetthinkif hewere to meet God,who is Great and Glorious,while (still) possessing these?" -
Al-Tirmidhi,Hadith586
The Prophetalso said:"Give charitywithoutdelay,forit standsin the way of calamity." - Al-Tirmidhi,
Hadith589
Charityis Important
The ProphetMuhammad (SAW) said:"Thebeliever'sshadeon the Day of Resurrection will be his
charity."- Al-Tirmidhi,Hadith604
The Prophetalso said:"Every act of goodnessischarity." - SahihMuslim, Hadith496
CharityShouldbe Givenby Every Muslim
The ProphetMuhammad (peacebeupon him) said:"Every Muslimhasto give in charity."The people
then asked:"(Butwhat) if someonehasnothing to give,whatshould hedo?"The Prophetreplied:"He
should workwithhis handsand benefithimself and also give in charity (fromwhatheearns)."The
peoplefurtherasked:"If he cannotfind even that?"He replied: "He should help theneedy who appealfor
help."Then the peopleasked:"If he cannotdo (even) that?"TheProphetsaid finally: "Then he should
performgood deedsand keep away fromevil deeds,and thatwill beregarded as charitabledeeds." -
SahihAl-Bukhari,Volume2,Hadith524
Smileits Charityand a Sunnah
The ProphetMuhammad (SAW) said:"Charity isprescribed foreach descendantof Adamevery day the
sun rises." He wasthen asked:"Fromwhatdo we givecharity every day?"The Prophetanswered:"The
doorsof goodnessaremany...enjoining good,forbidding evil,removing harmfromtheroad,listening to
the deaf,leading theblind, guiding oneto theobjectof his need,hurrying with the strength of one'slegs
to onein sorrowwho is asking forhelp, and supporting thefeeblewith the strength of one'sarms--allof
these arecharity prescribed foryou."He also said:"Your smile foryourbrotheris charity." - Fiqh-us-
Sunnah,Volume 3,Number98
Best Charity
The ProphetMuhammad (SAW) said:"ShallIguideyou to the best(formof) charity?Itis to providefor
yourdaughterwhen she(returns) to you (becauseof divorceorothercircumstances) and hasno onebut
you to provideforher." - Al-Tirmidhi,Hadith1296

2. Spend inCharity
"Spend (in charity) outof thesustenancethatWe havebestowed on you beforethattime when death
will cometo someone,and heshall say:"O my Lord! If only you would grantme reprieve fora little while,
then I would give in charity,and be among therighteous." - The HolyQuran, 63:10
CharitySaves from Hellfire
The ProphetMuhammad (SAW) said:"Saveyourself fromhellfireby giving even half a date-fruitin
charity."- SahihAl-Bukhari,Volume 2,Hadith498
The Purifier
A man oncesaid to theProphetMuhammad (SAW):"Ihaveplenty of property,a largefamily,a great
deal of money,and Iam a gracioushostto my guests.Tell me how to conductmy life and how to spend
(my money)."TheProphetreplied:"Give (regularcharity) outof yourproperty,fortruly it is a purifier,
and be kind to yourrelatives and acknowledgetherightsof the poor,neighborsand (thosein need who
seek yourhelp)."- Fiqh-us-Sunnah,Volume3,Number3
GiveCharity andPay your Debts
The ProphetMuhammad (SAW) said:"If Ihad (a mountain of) gold,Iwould lovethat beforethree days
had passed,nota single (coin) thereof remained with me if I found somebody to acceptit (ascharity),
excluding someamountthatIwould keep for the paymentof my debts." - SahihAl-Bukhari,Volume9,
Hadith334
Allahis Aware of WhatyouDo
"They ask you (OMuhammad)whatthey should spend in charity.Say:'Whateveryou spend with a good
heart,give it to parents,relatives,orphans,thehelpless,and travellersin need. Whatevergood you do,
Allah is awareof it.'" - The HolyQuran, 2:215