Charity Rules
Charity Rules
Learn How To Perform Charity Based on Quran Alone
In the Quran Alone, there’s valuable advice about being kind and helping others. It reminds us that life is short and unpredictable, so we should be quick to help those in need (63:10-11). Allah in The Quran also says that when we give, we should do it with honesty and without expecting anything in return (2:270). By being generous and sincere, we not only help others but also make ourselves better people.
- CHARITY FOR MUSLIMS
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CHARITY In The Quran Alone
63:10
وَأَنْفِقُوا مِنْ مَا رَزَقْنَاكُمْ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ يَأْتِيَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ فَيَقُولَ رَبِّ لَوْلَا أَخَّرْتَنِي إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ قَرِيبٍ فَأَصَّدَّقَ وَأَكُنْ مِنَ الصَّالِحِينَ
And spend from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says, “My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous.
63:11
وَلَنْ يُؤَخِّرَ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهَا ۚ وَاللَّهُ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
But never will Allah delay a soul when its time has come. And Allah is Acquainted with what you do.
2:270
وَمَا أَنْفَقْتُمْ مِنْ نَفَقَةٍ أَوْ نَذَرْتُمْ مِنْ نَذْرٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يَعْلَمُهُ ۗ وَمَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ مِنْ أَنْصَارٍ
And whatever you spent/expent of an expense or you vowed of a vow, then indeed, Allah knows of it. And for the wrongdoers, there are no helpers.
Rule 1: Show or Hide The Charities
In verse (2:271) Allah teaches that helping others quietly is better than doing it openly because it shows you truly care. Allah sees your kindness, whether it’s public or private, and rewards you for it.
2:271
إِنْ تُبْدُوا الصَّدَقَاتِ فَنِعِمَّا هِيَ ۖ
وَإِنْ تُخْفُوهَا وَتُؤْتُوهَا الْفُقَرَاءَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ ۚ وَيُكَفِّرُ عَنْكُمْ مِنْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ
بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ
If you show the Charities, then excellent they will be!
And if you hide them and you bring/give them to the needy/poor, it is better for you, and He will expiate for you from your misdeeds.
And Allah is an expert with what you are doing.
Rule 2: Reasons to Donate
In Quran 2:272, Allah mentioned that guiding others isn’t your duty, it’s up to Allah. Giving in charity benefits you, not others, and seeking Allah’s approval, not recognition, is key. Allah promises fair repayment for every good deed you do.
2:272
لَيْسَ عَلَيْكَ هُدَاهُمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشَاءُ ۗ
وَمَا تُنْفِقُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَلِأَنْفُسِكُمْ ۚ
وَمَا تُنْفِقُونَ إِلَّا ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ اللَّهِ ۚ
وَمَا تُنْفِقُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ
وَأَنْتُمْ لَا تُظْلَمُونَ
Their guidance is not upon you. However, Allah guides whoever He wills.
And whatever you spend/expend from goodness/charity is for your souls.
And you are not spending except in search of the Face of Allah.
And whatever you spend/expend from goodness/charity will be repaid in full to you (pl.), and you (pl.) will not be wronged.
Rule 3A: Charities Are For
in verse 2:273 Allah teaches that charity is for the needy, including those devoted to God’s cause and unable to seek assistance freely; some might appear wealthy but are humble. Allah sees all the good you do.
2:273
لِلْفُقَرَاءِ
الَّذِينَ أُحْصِرُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ ضَرْبًا فِي الْأَرْضِ يَحْسَبُهُمُ الْجَاهِلُ أَغْنِيَاءَ مِنَ التَّعَفُّفِ تَعْرِفُهُمْ بِسِيمَاهُمْ لَا يَسْأَلُونَ النَّاسَ إِلْحَافًا ۗ وَمَا تُنْفِقُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ
(Charities are) For the needy/poor,
those who are restricted in Allah’s cause/way and are not able to move about on the earth. The ignorant man reckons them rich because of abstinence. You recognize them by their mark; they do not ask of mankind importunately. And whatever of goodness/charity you spend/expend, then indeed, Allah is Knowledgeable of it
Rule 3B: Charities Are For
In verse (9:60) Allah mentions who deserves charity: the needy, the homeless, those who work for it, freeing slaves, helping those in debt, in the name of Allah, and travelers in need. It’s a duty from Allah, who knows everything and makes wise decisions.
9:60
إِنَّمَا الصَّدَقَاتُ
لِلْفُقَرَاءِ
وَالْمَسَاكِينِ
وَالْعَامِلِينَ عَلَيْهَا
وَالْمُؤَلَّفَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ
وَفِي الرِّقَابِ
وَالْغَارِمِينَ
وَفِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ
وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ۖ
فَرِيضَةً مِنَ اللَّهِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
Charities only are for
the needy/poor,
and the homeless,
and the workers on it,
and those who bring their hearts together,
and in freeing the slaves,
and those in debt,
and in Allah’s Sake/Way,
and the wayfarer.
An obligation from Allah. And Allah is Knowledgeable, Wise/Judicious.
Rule 4: How Much to Spend
Quran verses 2:215, 2:219, and 2:274 highlight charity recipients, warn against intoxicants and gambling, advising charity with excess wealth, and praise those who give, assuring them of reward from Allah.
2:215
يَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنْفِقُونَ ۖ
قُلْ مَا أَنْفَقْتُمْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ
فَلِلْوَالِدَيْنِ
وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ
وَالْيَتَامَىٰ
وَالْمَسَاكِينِ
وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ ۗ وَمَا تَفْعَلُوا مِنْ خَيْرٍ
فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ
They ask you, ‘What they should spend?’
Say, “Whatever you spend of goodness/charity is
For parents
and relatives
and orphans
and the poor
and the traveler. And whatever you do of goodness/charity
indeed, Allah is Knowledgeable of it.”
2:219
يَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الْخَمْرِ وَالْمَيْسِرِ
ۖ قُلْ فِيهِمَا إِثْمٌ كَبِيرٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ
وَإِثْمُهُمَا أَكْبَرُ مِنْ نَفْعِهِمَا ۗ
وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ مَاذَا يُنْفِقُونَ
قُلِ الْعَفْوَ ۗ
كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمُ الْآيَاتِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَفَكَّرُون
They ask you about wine and gambling.
Say, “In both of them is a great sin and benefits for mankind.
But their sin of both of them is greater than the benefit of the two.”
And they ask you what they should spend.
Say, “The excess/surplus [beyond needs].”
Thus Allah makes clear to you the verses that you might give thought.
2:274
الَّذِينَ يُنْفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ بِاللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ سِرًّا وَعَلَانِيَةً
فَلَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ
وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Those who spend their wealth/monies by night and day, secretly and publicly
they will then have their reward with their Lord.
And no fear is upon them, nor will they grieve.
Rule 5: When to give to charity
8:41
وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا غَنِمْتُمْ مِنْ شَيْءٍ
فَأَنَّ لِلَّهِ خُمُسَهُ
وَلِلرَّسُولِ
وَلِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ
وَالْيَتَامَىٰ
وَالْمَسَاكِينِ
وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ
إِنْ كُنْتُمْ آمَنْتُمْ بِاللَّهِ
وَمَا أَنْزَلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا يَوْمَ الْفُرْقَانِ
يَوْمَ الْتَقَى الْجَمْعَانِ ۗ
وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
And know that anything you obtain of spoils of war/pay day
then indeed, for Allah is one fifth of it
and for the Messenger
and for the near relatives
and the orphans
the needy
and the traveler
if you have faith in Allah
and what We sent down to Our Servant on the Day of the Furqan
the Day when the Two Armies Met.
And Allah Able to Anything.
6:141
وَهُوَ الَّذِي أَنْشَأَ جَنَّاتٍ مَعْرُوشَاتٍ وَغَيْرَ مَعْرُوشَاتٍ وَالنَّخْلَ وَالزَّرْعَ مُخْتَلِفًا أُكُلُهُ وَالزَّيْتُونَ وَالرُّمَّانَ مُتَشَابِهًا وَغَيْرَ مُتَشَابِهٍ ۚ كُلُوا مِنْ ثَمَرِهِ إِذَا أَثْمَرَ وَآتُوا حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِ ۖ وَلَا تُسْرِفُوا ۚ إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ
It is He who produces gardens, both cultivated and wild, and date-palms, and crops of diverse tastes, and olives and pomegranates,
similar and dissimilar. Eat of its fruit when it yields, and give
its due on the day of its harvest, and do not waste. He does not love the wasteful.
Rule 6: Interest on Charities
Quran 2:276 denounces usury, extolling charity and cautioning against persistent sinners, a sentiment echoed in Quran 3:130, urging believers to shun interest, fear God, and pursue true prosperity in both this life and the Hereafter.
2:276
يَمْحَقُ اللَّهُ الرِّبَا وَيُرْبِي الصَّدَقَاتِ ۗ
وَاللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ أَثِيمٍ
Allah destroys usury and puts interest on charities.
And Allah does not like every sinning disbeliever.
3:130
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَأْكُلُوا الرِّبَا أَضْعَافًا مُضَاعَفَةً ۖ
وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
O you who believe! Do not feed on usury, compounded over and over,
and fear God, so that you may prosper.
Rule 7: What to Donate
2:267
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَنْفِقُوا مِنْ طَيِّبَاتِ مَا كَسَبْتُمْ وَمِمَّا أَخْرَجْنَا لَكُمْ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ ۖ وَلَا تَيَمَّمُوا الْخَبِيثَ مِنْهُ تُنْفِقُونَ وَلَسْتُمْ بِآخِذِيهِ إِلَّا أَنْ تُغْمِضُوا فِيهِ ۚ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ غَنِيٌّ حَمِيدٌ
O you who have believed, spend from the good things which you have earned and from that which We have produced for you from the earth. And do not aim toward the defective therefrom, spending [from that] while you would not take it [yourself] except with closed eyes. And know that Allah is Free of need and Praiseworthy.
3:92
لَنْ تَنَالُوا الْبِرَّ حَتَّىٰ تُنْفِقُوا مِمَّا تُحِبُّونَ ۚ وَمَا تُنْفِقُوا مِنْ شَيْءٍ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ بِهِ عَلِيمٌ
Never will you attain the good [reward] until you spend [in the way of Allah] from that which you love. And whatever you spend – indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.
76:8
وَيُطْعِمُونَ الطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِ مِسْكِينًا وَيَتِيمًا وَأَسِيرًا
And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive,
76:9
إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ اللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنْكُمْ جَزَاءً وَلَا
شُكُورًا
“We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward nor thanks.”
Rule 8A: Charity Prohibitions
Quran 2:262 emphasizes sincere charity without expectation of recognition or harm, promising divine reward, while 2:263 values kind speech and forgiveness over harmful charity, reminding of Allah’s patience. Additionally, 2:264 warns against nullifying charity through seeking recognition or causing harm, likening it to insincere spending, and notes Allah’s guidance for believers.
Not to seek favours nor follow up insults
2:262
الَّذِينَ يُنْفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ
ثُمَّ لَا يُتْبِعُونَ مَا أَنْفَقُوا مَنًّا
وَلَا أَذًى
ۙ لَهُمْ أَجْرُهُمْ عِنْدَ رَبِّهِمْ وَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ
وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
Those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah
and then do not follow up what they have spent with reminders [of it]
or [other] injury
They will have their reward with their Lord, and there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.
2:263
قَوْلٌ مَعْرُوفٌ وَمَغْفِرَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ صَدَقَةٍ يَتْبَعُهَا أَذًى ۗ وَاللَّهُ غَنِيٌّ حَلِيمٌ
Kind speech and forgiveness are better than charity followed by injury. And Allah is Free of need and Forbearing.
2:264
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تُبْطِلُوا صَدَقَاتِكُمْ بِالْمَنِّ وَالْأَذَىٰ كَالَّذِي يُنْفِقُ مَالَهُ رِئَاءَ النَّاسِ وَلَا يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۖ فَمَثَلُهُ كَمَثَلِ صَفْوَانٍ عَلَيْهِ تُرَابٌ فَأَصَابَهُ وَابِلٌ فَتَرَكَهُ صَلْدًا ۖ لَا يَقْدِرُونَ عَلَىٰ شَيْءٍ مِمَّا كَسَبُوا ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ
O you who have believed, do not invalidate your charities with reminders or injury as does one who spends his wealth [only] to be seen by the people and does not believe in Allah and the Last Day. His example is like that of a [large] smooth stone upon which is dust and is hit by a downpour that leaves it bare. They are unable [to keep] anything of what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.
Rule 8B: Charity Prohibitions - Not to criticize charity givers
Quran 9:58 critiques those who inconsistently criticize charity distribution, emphasizing sincerity and consistency, while 9:79 condemns critics of believers’ charity, warning of divine ridicule and punishment for mocking sincere efforts, underlining respect for all charitable endeavors.
9:58
وَمِنْهُمْ مَنْ يَلْمِزُكَ فِي الصَّدَقَاتِ فَإِنْ أُعْطُوا مِنْهَا رَضُوا وَإِنْ لَمْ يُعْطَوْا مِنْهَا
إِذَا هُمْ يَسْخَطُون
And among them (9:54) are some who criticize you concerning the [distribution of] charities. If they are given from them, they approve; but if they are not given from them, at once they become angry.
9:54
وَمَا مَنَعَهُمْ أَنْ تُقْبَلَ مِنْهُمْ نَفَقَاتُهُمْ إِلَّا أَنَّهُمْ كَفَرُوا بِاللَّهِ وَبِرَسُولِهِ وَلَا يَأْتُونَ الصَّلَاةَ إِلَّا وَهُمْ كُسَالَىٰ وَلَا يُنْفِقُونَ إِلَّا وَهُمْ كَارِهُونَ
What prevents the acceptance of their contributions is nothing but the fact that they disbelieved in God and His Messenger, and that they do not approach the prayer except lazily, and that they do not spend except grudgingly.
9:79
الَّذِينَ يَلْمِزُونَ الْمُطَّوِّعِينَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ فِي الصَّدَقَاتِ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَجِدُونَ إِلَّا جُهْدَهُمْ فَيَسْخَرُونَ مِنْهُمْ ۙ سَخِرَ اللَّهُ مِنْهُمْ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
Those who criticize the contributors among the believers concerning [their] charities and [criticize] the ones who find nothing [to spend] except their effort, so they ridicule them – Allah will ridicule them, and they will have a painful punishment.
Rule 9: Special Charity Distribution
Quran 9:103 emphasizes charity’s role in purifying wealth and invoking blessings, urging giving to the messenger for charity, highlighting Allah’s awareness and reassurance for recipients, while 9:104 reminds of Allah’s mercy and acceptance of repentance and charity, encouraging sincere engagement in both.
Take wealth Charity
9:103
خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِمْ بِهَا وَصَلِّ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ إِنَّ صَلَاتَكَ سَكَنٌ لَهُمْ ۗ
وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
Take, from their wealth a charity by which you purify them and cause them increase, and invoke [Allah ‘s blessings] upon them. Indeed, your invocations are reassurance for them. And Allah is Hearing and Knowing.
Allah Takes Charities
9:104
أَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ يَقْبَلُ التَّوْبَةَ عَنْ عِبَادِهِ وَيَأْخُذُ الصَّدَقَاتِ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ
Do they not know that it is Allah who accepts repentance from His servants and receives charities and that it is Allah who is the Accepting of repentance, the Merciful?
Rule 10: Special Messenger Rule
Quran 58:12 urges charity before seeking guidance, highlighting generosity and sincerity, with Allah’s forgiveness available regardless of one’s ability. Quran 2:265 illustrates spending for Allah’s approval, promising abundant rewards akin to a flourishing garden, emphasizing Allah’s awareness and just rewards for actions and intentions.
58:12
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نَاجَيْتُمُ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ نَجْوَاكُمْ صَدَقَةً ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ وَأَطْهَرُ ۚ فَإِنْ لَمْ تَجِدُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ
O you who have believed, when you [wish to] privately consult the Messenger, present before your consultation a charity. That is better for you and purer. But if you find not [the means] – then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
2:265
وَمَثَلُ الَّذِينَ يُنْفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمُ ابْتِغَاءَ مَرْضَاتِ اللَّهِ وَتَثْبِيتًا مِنْ أَنْفُسِهِمْ كَمَثَلِ جَنَّةٍ بِرَبْوَةٍ أَصَابَهَا وَابِلٌ فَآتَتْ أُكُلَهَا ضِعْفَيْنِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يُصِبْهَا وَابِلٌ فَطَلٌّ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
And the example of those who spend their wealth seeking means to the approval of Allah and assuring [reward for] themselves is like a garden on high ground which is hit by a downpour – so it yields its fruits in double. And [even] if it is not hit by a downpour, then a drizzle [is sufficient]. And Allah, of what you do, is Seeing