Abu Huraira (Radi Allah Anhu) reported Allah's Messenger (sal-allahu-alleihi-wasallam)as saying:
"He who alleviates the suffering of a brother out of the sufferings of the world, Allah would alleviate his suffering from the sufferings of the Day of Resurrection, and he who finds relief for one who is hard pressed, Allah would make things easy for him in the Hereafter, and he who conceals (the faults) of a Muslim, Allah would conceal his faults in the world and in the Hereafter. Allah is at the back of a servant so long as the servant is at the back of his brother, and he who treads the path in search of know- ledge, Allah would make that path easy, leading to Paradise for him and those persons who assemble in the house among the houses of Allah (mosques) and recite the Book of Allah and they learn and teach the Qur'an (among themselves) there would descend upon them the tranquility and mercy would cover them and the angels would surround them and Allah makes a mention of them in the presence of those near Him, and he who is slow-paced in doing good deeds, his (high) descent does not make him go ahead."
[Sahih Muslim : Book 35 Kitab Al-Dhikr, Number 6518]
From reading of the above, one gets an impression that it is to our own benefit to
1. alleviate the suffering of a brother out of the sufferings of the world
2. find relief for one who is hard pressed
3. conceal (the faults) of a Muslim
4. be at the back of his brother
5. tread the path in search of knowledge
6. assemble in the house among the houses of Allah (mosques) and recite the Book of Allah
7. learn and teach the Qur'an (among themselves)
All the above mentioned points are inter linked, however, when focused too narrowly on poverty alleviation first 4 points are of utmost importance. Dr. Mohammad Obaidullah has very rightly pointed out that
1. Charity is scarce.
2. For-profit funds are more easily available.
3. What we need is a change in mindset of people if the destitute and the poorest of the poor are to be helped out of hunger and poverty.
To my understanding of the mindset towards which he points is "The Evil One threatens you with poverty and bids you to conduct unseemly. Allah promiseth you His forgiveness and bounties and Allah careth for all and He knoweth all things." (Aya 268 Sura Al-Baqara).
This threat of poverty leads us to think in terms of everything profit oriented "Micro" even if we want to help "destitute and the poorest of the poor". Then we follow the advise of "Evil One" and forget what Allah (SWT) says "O ye who believe!
1. give of the good things which ye have (honorably) earned
2. and of the fruits of the earth which We have produced for you
3. and do not even aim at getting anything which is bad in order that out of it ye may give away something when ye yourselves would not receive it except with closed eyes.
4. And know that Allah is free of all wants and worthy of all praise." (Aya 267 Sura Al-Baqara)
There is very specific mention of the strata of population for whom the charity is
"(Charity is) for
1. those in need
2. who in Allah's cause are restricted (from travel) and cannot move about in the land seeking (for trade or work).
3. The ignorant man thinks because of their modesty that they are free from want. Thou shalt know them by their (unfailing) mark: they beg not importunately from all and sundry.
4. And whatever of good ye give be assured Allah knoweth it well." (Aya 273 Sura Al-Baqara)
In response to deeds of charity by Muslims, Allah (SWT) has declared "Those who (in charity) spend of their goods by night and by day in secret and in public have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear nor
shall they grieve." (Aya 274 Sura Al-Baqara)
What else we, the Muslims in particular, need than no fear and no grief whatsoever the nature may be here and hereafter. That tranquillity is ours, the condition is only one.
We have to believe in Allah (SWT).
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