The Beauty of Charity

Introduction

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Aalamiin. Thumma As-Salaatu wassalaamu Alaa Ashrafil Khalqi Ajmaeen, Muhammadin Wa Aalihi at-Tayyibeen at-Taahireen, Wa As-haabihil Muntajabeen.

Allah (S.w.T.) says in the Holy Qur’an that:

“in their histories, there is certainly a lesson for men of understanding. it is not a narrative which could be forged, but a verification of what is before it, and a distinct explanation of all things, and a guide and a mercy to a people who believe”. (Sura Yusuf, 12:111)

The style of story telling, that the Holy Qur’an adopts is considered to be one of its miracles. In addition, this style has a tremendous effect on making the reader interested in reading. A story is better understood and not easily forgotten while mere words are easily forgotten. Stories are easily absorbed without taxing the brain. This is the reason that made us to adopt the same style in this book, which is filled with real life events in the past and present, concerning the Ahlul Bait, great scholars of Islam and ordinary people, in order to convey the message without any changes, with perfection and in a summarized fashion to the brain.

Why stories of people who sacrifice?

When the people who sacrifice and the charitable, answer the call of the Qur’an which says:

“and spend out of which He has made you to be successors of …. (Sura Al-Hadid , 57:7)”,

and the call of the Holy Masum’in (a.s.) who said that:

“On the day of judgment the act of charity will provide a shade for the people who sacrifice”[^1],

they are trying in their own fashion to find a solution to an age old problem of poverty. Luqman the wise was true in saying to his son that:

“He had tasted patience, but there was nothing worse than poverty ”.[^2]

How many fathers return back to their families after a hard day of finding sustenance only to find that they have failed to fulfill the needs of their families? How many mothers feel so hurt and pained to see the poor condition of their children compared to other children? How many celebrations of Eid and other happy occasions pass with orphans who don’t have good food and new clothes? How many capable youths have had their dreams and hopes crashed because of not having enough funds for their education. How many parents have not been able to save their children from the pangs of death simply because they didn’t have funds for the medicine to cure them?

The people who are generous and charitable inspire hope in hard times. The people who secretly give charity, in such a way that if they give by their right hand, the left hand doesn’t know, are saviours for the milliards of poor people who roam around the streets and are on the increase daily.

Such people are finding a gradual and partial solution for thousands and millions of people; and at the same time are reaping rewards from Allah in the world and Hereafter. It is for this reason that we have tried to site real life events throughout the ages, so that others are motivated to follow suit. Shall we then not answer the call of the Holy Qur’an which says:

“they shall be rewarded with high places because they were patient, and shall be met there in with greetings and salutations” (Sura al-Furqan, 25:75-76)

The course of the book in hand deals with six chapters:

The first chapter of this book deals with people who sowed the seeds of charity in this world, in order to form a bridge to benefit from, in the hereafter.

The second chapter deals with events and stories related by various sources, which show the connection between the people who are alive and dead, and how we can perform certain acts which can directly benefit the dead people.

The third chapter deals with the deep connection between charity and protection from problems, mishaps and misfortunes.

The fourth chapter deals with the unseen or spiritual connection between the giving of charity and increase in sustenance.

The fifth chapter deals with the efforts exerted by our great Islamic Scholars to serve others and sacrifice their wealth and possessions in order to encourage and motivate others to do the same.

The sixth chapter deals with people who have done service to the family of the Prophet Muhammad (S) and how they have got worldly and spiritual returns.

[^1]: Wasaail Al-Shia, 206/6

[^2]: Al Wasail, Vol. 6