Charity isn’t optional in Islam. For most Muslims, it’s a way of life.
The faith’s Third Pillar demands more than writing a check — and that story rarely makes the news.
By Imran Haider | FāVS News Column
The views expressed in this opinion column are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of FāVS News.
In 2016, I was in Karachi, Pakistan, one of the largest cities in the world, which most people may not know. This giant city is about three times the size of Los Angeles and boasts a population somewhere north of 20 million people (around 96% Muslim).
There is a lot of poverty, but there are always community members trying to help people eat, drink and find a place to sleep. I remember driving at around 1 a.m. with my cousins and they made a point to say, “Look around, there is nobody sleeping on the sidewalk.”
They were right. I did not see one single person on the sidewalk sleeping. And their point was that everyone in the community took it on themselves to find a place in their home or property for someone to sleep at night.
In Christianity, Buddhism and Judaism, religious teachings consistently emphasize caring for others — whether through love of neighbor, generosity as spiritual practice or the moral obligation to give.
In fact, charity is one of the Five Pillars of the faith but potentially the least discussed. It’s the Third Pillar and is called zakat (Arabic for “almsgiving”) — an annual obligation to give a portion of one’s wealth to those in need. Beyond zakat, Islam also encourages sadaqah, or voluntary charity, which encompasses the broader acts of giving described below.
Giving quietly, giving often
To provide clarity and set the foundation, we can acknowledge that writing a check or giving a cash amount to another person or group is probably what most people think of as an act of donation (often tax deductible). But in the religious teachings of Islam, there are many different ways that it is encouraged to provide help, support or charity to others.
Worth emphasizing in Islam is that a donation done in silence, when no one else is watching, is considered the truest act of giving and helping someone who is in need in the eyes of God and not for fame or societal gain.
What are some charitable acts required by this religion? Let’s list some below for easy consumption!
- Saying prayers for someone in need.
- Spreading knowledge among people who may not have access.
- Talking, smiling or providing positivity in your presence.
- Help those in poverty who cannot help themselves.
- Taking out time for your parents, romantic partner, immediate family.
- Advising and supporting friends and family in times of need.
- Forgiving and respecting people.
- Celebrating and supporting someone’s happiness.
- Visiting and comforting the sick.
- Providing a place for someone to sleep.
- Making meal(s) for one person or a group.
- Giving money to someone or a group in need.
This article is one perspective of one person who was born and raised Muslim in the U.S. that can hopefully start the trend of spreading the positivity of religious impact more frequently than is historically seen and heard.
Two billion Muslims, mostly invisible in the news
Accepting the Pillars of Islam in your heart and mind are at the core of practicing the religion the way it was intended to be practiced. There are roughly two billion Muslims in the world. Most of them are practicing the acts of charity every day, but it is not what we hear about in the national or international news stream.
Just like Catholics, Christians, Buddhists and Jewish communities, news coverage often skips the daily positive impacts of charity, giving, donations and kindness done every day that is created by the power of religion.
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