As commanded by the Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon Him that even giving a single date to charity is rewarding [1]. It is a common hadith used in non-profitable organizations’ campaigns when it comes to charity and then there are people who don’t even know how much rewarding it is.
In fact, this phrase of enlightenment is completely ignored by ita its meaning when it comes to the actual purpose of charity in the real world. Charity is an act of worship where people assume that they are getting into a contract with Allah where Allah himself is evident and no one other than him deserves to be the truth evident in that deal. Upon that deal, the person doing charity conveys, delivers, or contributes to supporting the other party with his part (most of the times considered as money) anonymously or publicly (which in fact is the lowest of all forms if not farz i.e. Zakat).
A charity done with the purpose of Allah’s mercy is one of the best dead sealers asking for nothing more than his mercy is the ultimate thing a person can ask in this world and hereafter. Narrated by the wife of (Aisha R.A) of Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon Him that no one is able to enter paradise without Allah’s mercy. Upon this Aisha, R.A. asked “Not even you, O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet said, “Not even me unless Allah grants me His mercy…” and he continues with one of the ways of getting Allah’s mercy, he mentioned “Know that the most beloved deed to Allah is that which is done regularly, even if it is small” [2]
For Muslims, there are plenty of forms of charity even giving a single date to charity is rewarding. If they know them all, and if they literally do it with a good niyyah will be able to get the reward for it. An intent (Niyyah) is fundamental in worship because this is what segregates your knowledge upon the commandments of Allah, not just that by considering your act for Allah and being watched by Allah directly. It is even a heart-warming procedure that also enhances the whole action of doing it.
With that story in mind always seek to grow your garden in the best way possible. As we know that giving a Single Date to Charity is Rewarding therefore, always try to keep it private rather than putting quotes over it for any kind of fame. Because the moment you begin to value it more in someone else’s eyes other than Allah it is the moment you lose all of it. You will find that person in his/her complete attitude of leadership, even if you are his/her friend you may not recognize that this person is the one whom you know for years. This behavior allows the person to be conscious of the truth that he is under the gaze so there is no room for lacking. Likewise, when a person thinks in his day-to-day routine that Allah is watching him or her this alert will also be enough for them to stay in superconscious mode.
Now back to the charity part if you are helping your friend by buying a pen it is okay, normally, but the intent of getting favor from Allah in return will stop you from ruining the moment by making conditions over this favor to your friend. Also, it will stop you from being proud at that particular time with your wealth and your spending decision which in all, decreases the love for the wealth of your hand or pocket, which is usually known as hard-earned money, as the mercy of Allah will become enough for you to feed yourself. This way you rather open yourself to contribute more to such small charities. So, now you know it, you will not be waiting for your friend next time to ask for a pen because in reality with niyyah you are getting this done with more agility and the pure purpose of getting a passport for Allah’s favors.
This is the beauty of Islam. Allah Subhan wa Tallah has completed his favor upon us and has approved for us Islam as only Deen (Practices)[3]. When you see the depth of this verse the vibes are different from words. Considering you are a married woman, a mother of a cute infant now considers feeding it for just feeding because you have to, and now reimage it for the reward from Allah. You get it right! That’s the difference. Even your single act becomes the ultimate reward and the number gets keeps on multiplying as it goes higher.
Maybe a married brother got late from his office and has a wife waiting to visit in-laws. The first and only thing is a trial he has to go through from his half-deen partner. Of course, he will get through it but if he is smart enough and on his way back he makes sure that he would be able to take ice cream, chocolate, or some jewelry she likes or a new abaya for the surprise as she will be visiting home. This will defiantly improve her mood also will make Allah happy for both of them and will shower his ultimate mercy upon them also mentioned in a hadith narrated by Abu Huraira “Verily, Allah will say on the Day of Resurrection: Where are those who love each other for the sake of My majesty? Today, I will shelter them in My shade on a day when there is no shade but Mine” [4] clearly this hadith not only fits this situation but also opens its authenticity more widely spread into our different phases and positions of life. But a clear indication is absolute for those who seek Hadiyah.
So, with that purpose in mind, we need to make our life like a gardener here in this world. Small charities will help us sow seeds every day until the garden of our dreams is grown and we are ready to enter as mentioned in the Quran ( يُدْخِلْهُ جَنَّـٰتٍۢ ), then water is poured by Allah in beneath them and around them (تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَـٰرُ) since that garden is growing because of our efforts and charities in this world so will Allah allow us to see that and live there ( خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيهَا ۚ ) forever and this it will be the greatest success ( وَذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ) as Allah mentioned in many parts of Quran[5]
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s start by today let’s build our Jannah with our efforts, let’s start sowing seeds even with a small date or maybe with the percentage of wealth you own or monthly salary, pocket money it doesn’t matter; free time out of breaks, part-time in student life, dedicating weekends, or how about dedicating a day in a week with niyyah to work on your garden, decorating it with a different form of deeds following Allah and Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon him? We encourage you to make a plan and start doing it because we do not know when our time will be over.
Remember not to be like that person as mentioned in Surah Kahaf who entered his property, while wronging his soul, saying, “I do not think this will ever perish ( قَالَ مَآ أَظُنُّ أَن تَبِيدَ هَـٰذِهِۦٓ أَبَدًۭا ) Never think this way you know it what happened to him right? ( وَأُحِيطَ بِثَمَرِهِۦ ) All his well grown fruits and garden was gone and there was no one to help him at all ( وَلَمْ تَكُن لَّهُۥ فِئَةٌۭ يَنصُرُونَهُۥ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَمَا كَانَ مُنتَصِرًا) [6]
With that story in mind always seek to grow your garden in the best way possible and try to keep it private. Rather than putting quotes over it for any kind of fame, the moment you begin to value it more in someone else’s eyes other than Allah is the moment you lose all of it. For that reason keep on working hard in silence and lets Allah reward you on the day of resurrection.
Giving a Single Date to Charity is Rewarding is part of an amazing series of content. For more, you are very much encouraged to follow our whole series Time to Revive where we discuss the forgotten sunnah or Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon Him, and try to revive them by considering most of the perspectives of the modern world. Reading them and making them a habit is now your choice.
By Muhammad Nadeem Jahangir
References
- Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 1410
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6467, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2818
- Surah Al-Maidah, ayat 3 (5:3)
- Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2566
- Surah Al-Nisa ayat 13 (4:13)
- Surah Al-Kahaf ayat 35,42,43 (18:35,42,43)
