Hawzah News Agency | The true essence of giving charity is something many people overlook. This is because if they experience even the slightest unpleasantness from a needy person they have helped, they swear never to assist anyone again.
The Almighty God addresses us in the Holy Qur'an as follows to preserve the dignity of the poor:
«قَوْلٌ مَعْرُوفٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ خَیْرٌ مِنْ صَدَقَةٍ یَتْبَعُهَا أَذًی وَاللَّهُ غَنِیٌّ حَلِیمٌ.»
"An honourable reply [in response to the needy] and forgiving [their annoyance] is better than a charity followed by affront. Allah is all-sufficient, most forbearing." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:263)
Explanation:
In this verse, after forbidding the giver of charity from hurting or reminding the poor of their generosity, God introduces Himself as Self-Sufficient and Independent, even though the conversation revolves around the giver and receiver of charity!
When this verse is considered alongside the verse:
«مَنْ ذَا الَّذِی یُقْرِضُ اللَّهَ قَرْضًا حَسَنًا.»
"Who is it that will lend Allah a good loan that He may multiply it for him severalfold? " (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:245)
the reality of charity becomes clearer to us. This is because the giver of charity, in reality, places their offering in the hands of God, not in the hands of the poor.
Thus, God states: "وَاللَّهُ غَنِیٌّ - Allah is Self-Sufficient" meaning that when giving charity, we should consider God as the true recipient, not the poor.
The benefit of understanding this truth is that we will never invalidate our charity by reminding the recipient of our favor or causing them pain. (1)
Furthermore, if a poor person we once helped does not treat us kindly, we will not be discouraged from continuing to help others in need. This is because, in this valuable transaction, we see God as the other party, not any individual.
Preserving the Dignity of the Poor
Another point related to the mentioned verse is that Islam places special emphasis on preserving the dignity of individuals, especially the poor.
Once, Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq, peace be upon him, said to Ishaq ibn Ammar:
«یَا إِسْحَاقُ کَیْفَ تَصْنَعُ بِزَکَاةِ مَالِکَ إِذَا حَضَرَتْ؟»
"O Ishaq! When the time to give your zakat (2) arrives, how do you handle it?"
Ishaq replied:
«یَأْتُونِّی إِلَی اَلْمَنْزِلِ فَأُعْطِیهِمْ.»
"The needy come to my door, and I give it to them."
Imam al-Sadiq, peace be upon him, said:
«مَا أَرَاکَ یَا إِسْحَاقُ إِلاَّ قَدْ أَذْلَلْتَ اَلْمُؤْمِنِینَ فَإِیَّاکَ إِیَّاکَ إِنَّ اَللَّهَ تَعَالَی یَقُولُ مَنْ أَذَلَّ لِی وَلِیّاً فَقَدْ أَرْصَدَ لِی بِالْمُحَارَبَةِ.»
"What are you doing, Ishaq? You are humiliating believers! Refrain from this! Refrain from this! For the Almighty God says: 'Whoever humiliates My friend has prepared for war against Me.'" (Wasail al-Shia, v. 9, p. 315)
It appears that Imam al-Sadiq’s statement suffices as a guiding principle for preserving the dignity of the poor.
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1. "O you who have faith! Do not render your charities void by reproaches and affronts." (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:264)
2. Zakat refers to payment of a certain amount of specific properties which has reached to specific levels.
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