9- VOLUNTARY CHARITY
VOLUNTARY CHARITY
Giving voluntary charity is recommended at all times; especially during Ramadan, before praying for something one needs, (when there is an eclipse, illness, or journey,) and at all noble times and places (e.g. times such as the first ten days of Dhul Hijja or the days of ‘Eid, and places such as Mecca or Medina).
It is superior to give charity to righteous people (meaning those who give Allah and His slaves their due), to one’s relatives (which is better than giving to the righteous), even those of them who are one’s enemies (and this is better than giving to one’s friends among them), and to give from the best of one’s wealth (meaning that which is lawful, which is better than giving what is from a doubtful source, or giving what is of poor quality, either of which are offensive to give as charity. It is unlawful to give property that has been unlawfully obtained (if one knows its rightful owner. If not, one must give it as charity (or taxes to remove it from one’s possession).
It is unlawful to give as charity money needed to support one’s dependents or needed to pay a debt that is currently due (because supporting one’s dependents or paying a current debt are obligatory, and obligatory acts take precedence over recommended ones).
It is recommended to give away in charity everything one owns that is in excess (of personal expenses and the expenses of those one is obliged to support), provided one can be patient with the resultant poverty. (But if one cannot be patient, it is offensive to give away what is in excess of one’s needs.)
It is offensive to ask for anything besides paradise with the words “For the sake [lit. “By the countenance (i.e. entity)”] of Allah,” though if someone does, it is offensive not to give to him.
It is unlawful to remind a recipient of charity that one has given him (mann), and it eliminates the reward.
(It is permissible to give charity to a person not in need, or to a relative of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace). It is offensive for a person not in need to accept charity, and preferable that he avoid it. It is unlawful for such a person to accept it if he pretends to be needy, and is unlawful for him to ask for charity.
It is permissible to give charity to a non-Muslim (but not zakat.)
(Source: The reliance of the traveller, revised edition, Edited and Translated by Nuh Ha Mim Keller)
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