Obligatory Charity –
In the second year after the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, migrated to Medina, the obligatory charity was commanded. Muslims would give charity prior to this but the exact quantity and finer details were not revealed and commanded until this year. This has been discussed in Imam Muhammad As Sallaabee’s, The Noble Life of the Prophet (PBUH), Volume 1, Pages 933-934.
The obligatory charity constitutes only a small portion of one’s overall wealth, and it is only required when a person possesses a fixed minimum amount. One of its central aims is to remind the believer that the wealth in their possession does not truly belong to them. If it were entirely theirs, they would be free to spend it however they wished. Rather, wealth is created and granted by none other than Allah, the Exalted, and therefore must be used in accordance with His pleasure. In reality, every blessing a person enjoys—whether wealth, health, knowledge, or status—is but a loan entrusted to them, which must ultimately be repaid to its rightful Owner, Allah, the Exalted. This repayment is not through returning the blessing itself, but by utilising it in ways that are pleasing to Him, as outlined in the Holy Quran and the noble traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. When a believer fulfils this trust, their wealth becomes a means of purification, protection, and reward. The one who fails to grasp this truth, and instead behaves as though the blessings they have been granted belong solely to them, will inevitably misuse them. In particular, the one who withholds the obligatory charity, treating their wealth as if it were theirs alone, will face a penalty—just as one who fails to repay a worldly loan is held accountable. The severity of this accountability is illustrated in a Hadith found in Sahih Bukhari, number 1403, which warns that the person who neglects their obligatory charity will be confronted on the Day of Judgement by a large poisonous snake that will coil around them and continuously bite them as a form of punishment. This stark imagery serves as a reminder that wealth is both a blessing and a test. When used correctly, it elevates a person spiritually, strengthens the bonds of community, and secures reward in the Hereafter. But when hoarded or misused, it becomes a source of regret, torment, and loss in both worlds. Thus, the believer must always remember that every coin spent in the way of Allah, the Exalted, is not a loss but an investment—one that yields returns far greater than anything this world can offer. Chapter 3 Alee Imran, verse 180:
“And let not those who [greedily] withhold what Allah has given them of His bounty ever think that it is better for them. Rather, it is worse for them. Their necks will be encircled by what they withheld on the Day of Resurrection…”
In this world, the very wealth upon which they withhold the obligatory charity will itself become a source of stress and misery. Instead of bringing comfort and security, it will drive them towards misuse of the blessings they have been granted. As a result, they will fall into an unbalanced state—mentally and physically—misplacing priorities, misjudging relationships, and failing to prepare adequately for their accountability on the Day of Judgement. Such negligence leads to confusion in this life and ruin in the next. Even if they outwardly enjoy certain worldly luxuries, inwardly they will remain restless, burdened by anxiety, and deprived of true contentment. Their wealth, which could have been a means of purification and reward, instead becomes a cause of hardship, stress, and regret. Ultimately, by neglecting their duty to Allah, the Exalted, they exchange eternal peace for fleeting comfort, and lasting success for temporary illusion. Chapter 20 Taha, verses 124-126:
“And whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed, he will have a depressed [i.e., difficult] life, and We will gather [i.e., raise] him on the Day of Resurrection blind.” He will say, “My Lord, why have you raised me blind while I was [once] seeing?” [Allāh] will say, “Thus did Our signs come to you, and you forgot [i.e., disregarded] them; and thus will you this Day be forgotten.””
Life of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) Complete Free eBook & Backup Link: READ & READ
Complete AudioBook – Life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH): LISTEN
حضرت محمد صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم کی زندگی: READ
Kehidupan Nabi Muhammad SAW: READ & READ
SAW حياة النبي محمد: READ & READ
নবী মুহাম্মদ ( সাঃ) এর জীবনী: READ & READ
Vida Del Profeta Muhammad (PBUH): READ & READ
500+ FREE English Books & Audiobooks / اردو کتب / كتب عربية / Buku Melayu / বাংলা বই / Libros En Español / Livres En Français / Libri Italiani / Deutsche Bücher / Livros Portugueses:
https://shaykhpod.com/books/
Backup Sites for eBooks: https://shaykhpod.wordpress.com
https://shaykhpodbooks.wordpress.com/books
https://shaykhpodbooks.wixsite.com/books
https://archive.org/details/@shaykhpod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShaykhPod/playlists
AudioBooks, Blogs, Infographics & Podcasts: https://shaykhpod.com/
Anonymously Follow WhatsApp Channel for Daily Blogs, eBooks, Pics and Podcasts: FOLLOW
Subscribe to Receive Daily Blogs & Updates Via Email: https://shaykhpod.com/subscribe
#Allah #ShaykhPod #Islam #Quran #Hadith #ProphetMuhammad #Sunnah #Piety #Taqwa #Seerahith #ProphetMuhammad #Sunnah #Piety #Taqwa #Seerah
ShaykhPod 