Life and Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
10. The Concept of Social Welfare in Islam
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Judgement Day. It is, therefore, recommended to give
sadaqah
, by
night and by day, in secret and in public to seek God’s pleasure
(2:274). The constant giving of little is said to please God more
than the occasional giving of much.
Sadaqah
is also a means of
moral edification. It purifies the soul of the evil of avarice, and is a
reflection of the generosity of God the All-Giving.
We conclude with a hadith, which sums up the essence of
charity:
“Every good act is charity. Your smiling to your brother
is charity; an exhortation of your fellow men to virtuous
deeds is equal to almsgiving; your putting a wanderer
on the right road is charity; your assisting the blind is
charity; your removing stones, and thorns, and other
obstructions from the road is charity; your giving water
to the thirsty is charity. A man’s true wealth as regards
the Hereafter is the good he does in this world to his
fellowmen. When he dies people will ask, What
property has he left behind him?” But the angels will
ask: “What good deeds has he sent before him?”
