GIVING TO THOSE IN NEED:
Alongside the yearly zakat (obligatory charity giving for those who have a certain amount of savings and assets), giving to needy people is of great importance in Islam. Allah says in the Qur’an: ”(Prophet (SAWS)) Have you considered the person who denies the Judgement? It is he who pushes aside the orphan and does not urge others to feed the needy…”
(Qur’an 107:1-3)
“Give to the near of kin his due, and also to the needy and the wayfarers. Do not squander your wealth wastefully; for those who squander wastefully are Satan’s brothers, and Satan is ever ungrateful to his Lord.”
(Qur’an 17:26-27)
The Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“Every Muslim has to give in charity.”
The people asked:
‘O Allah’s Prophet! If someone has nothing to give, what will he do?’
He (SAWS) said:
“He should work with his hands and benefit himself and also give in charity (from what he earns).”
The people further asked:
‘If he cannot find even that?’
He (SAWS) replied:
“He should help the needy who appeal for help.”
Then the people asked:
‘If he cannot do that?’
He (SAWS) replied:
“Then he should perform good deeds and keep away from evil deeds and this will be regarded as charitable deeds.”
[Bukhari]
Narrated Abû Sa’id Al-Khudri (RadiyAllahu Anhu): ‘Certain people of the Ansâr begged of Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) and he gave them; then they again begged of him and he gave them until all of what he possessed was exhausted. Then the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“Whatever wealth I have, I will not withhold from you. Whosoever would be chaste and modest; Allah will keep him chaste and modest and whosoever would seek self-sufficiency, Allah will make him self-sufficient; and whosoever would be patient, Allah will give him patience, and no one is granted a gift better and more comprehensive than patience.”
[Bukhâri and Muslim]
HAVING A GOOD CHARACTER:
Allah (s.w.t.) says in the Qur’an:
“The slaves of the All Merciful are those who walk with humility on the earth, and who, when the ignorant speak to them, say, ‘Peace’.”
(Qur’an 25:63)
“Do not avert your face from people out of pride and do not strut about arrogantly on the earth. Allah does not love anyone who is vain and boastful. Be moderate in your walking and lower your voice. The most hateful of voices is the braying of asses.”
(Qur’an 31:18-19)
“Be kind and humble to the believers that follow you.”
(Qur’an 26:125)
“Nor walk on the earth with insolence: for thou can not rend the earth asunder, nor reach the mountains in height.”
(Qur’an 17:37)
“And swell not thy cheek (for pride) at men, nor walk in insolence through the earth; for God loveth not any arrogant boaster.”
(Qur’an, 31:18)
Anas b. Malik (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported that Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) was the best amongst people in disposition and behaviour.
[Muslim]
Abdullah ibn Masud (RadiyAllahu Anhu) related that the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said:
“Whoever has a grain of pride in his heart will not enter Paradise.”
A man stood up and asked:
‘what about the person who likes to wear good clothes and fine shoes?.’
The Prophet (SAWS) replied:
“Allah is beautiful and loves beauty. Pride means to deny the truth and to look down upon others.”
[Muslim]