Q: Salaamu Alaikum Sheikh. Is it true that giving charity purifies the soul?
Ahmad Ali Maina, Borno
A: One cannot attain piety unless he regularly spends his wealth in good causes according to his capacity. Qur’an reminds about charity and alms giving in so many places that it won’t be an exaggeration to say that it is one of the basic elements of belief. In surah Aal Imran, Allah says, “By no means shall you attain righteousness unless you give (freely) of that which you love. And whatever you spend; indeed, Allah is Knowing of it.” (Qur’an, 3:92).
Similarly in many other verses it has been explained that charity purifies our soul, “So keep your duty to Allah as best ye can, and listen, and obey, and spend; that is better for your souls. And whoso is saved from his own greed, such are the successful.” (Qur’an, 64:16).
“He has succeeded who purifies it.” (Qur’an, 91:9)
And therefore Allah invites his servants to spend in his way, “Lo! ye are those who are called to spend in the way of Allah. (Qur’an, 47:38).
When some of the companions missed the battle of Tabuk, the Prophet (peace be upon him) was very displeased but they were forgiven upon rigorous repentance. In gratitude for forgiveness, they offered charity from their wealth but Prophet (peace be upon him) refused to accept it. In the following verse, Allah asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) to accept it to purify their soul, “Take, (O, Muhammad), 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.” (Qur’an, 9:103)
When we spend on charity we suppress our desire for wealth and give preference to reward in the Hereafter.
As our love for wealth reduces, we focus more on good deeds than the worldly things and it helps us attain a good balance between this temporary world and the permanent life in the Hereafter.
Qur’an says wealth and resources are trials of this world and if we do not spend them in good cause they could become a burden instead of a blessing in this world and in the Hereafter.
“Wealth and sons are allurements of the life of this world; but the things that endure, Good Deeds, are best in the sight of your Lord, as rewards, and best as (the foundation for) hopes.” (Qur’an, 18:46)
Allah also says that Satan frightens us with poverty in the sense that whenever we think of alms giving or charity, we feel as if this is going to reduce our bank balance and make us financially vulnerable thus stopping us from helping a real needy person.
We should keep this verse in mind. “The Satan threatens you with poverty and bids you to conduct unseemly. Allah promises you His forgiveness and bounties…” (Qur’an, 2:268)
Allah also assures us that whatever we spend in this world in good causes, there should be no doubt that we will find them in the Hereafter as a source for our salvation and atonement of our sins.
“Establish worship, and pay the poor-due; and whatever of good ye send before (you) for your souls, ye will find it with Allah. Lo! Allah is Seer of what ye do.” (Qur’an, 2:110) And Allah does not reward just one for one but the reward could go up to 700 times or more if Allah wills.
“The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed (of grain) which grows seven spikes; in each spike is a hundred grains. And Allah multiplies (His reward) for whom He wills. And Allah is all-Encompassing and Knowing.” (Qur’an, 2:261).
And Allah knows best.