Junaid M Wani
Every Country is in quagmire, struggling hard and doing all the preventive measures contra to the noxious Corona Virus which has proven to be cataclysmic in all parts of the world.This wave has swayed towards the Kashmir also and every day we are noticing a huge surge in the positive cases of corona virus and it is adding more miseries, excruciation, stress and agony to the folks of all ages. This disease has placed a full stop and halted the life, schools, business establishments etc. Markets are seen deserted everywhere and there is an atmosphere of panic and perturbation. This disease is mostly affecting the poor families whose daily earning is the only source to fulfill the family needs and feed them as they can’t get any work anywhere in such crisis. Everyone of us will at some point in our lives experience some type of hardship or predicament that leaves us in distress. In our Islam helping those in need and supporting those in distress is the best way to thank Allah for His blessings and is a trait that is encouraged by Islam and a noble character that is implication of sincere brotherhood and chivalry. Moreover, there is a clear reward for a person who aids another,both in this world and in Jannah. Helping each other is a way to overcome grief that we may experience and it can empower us in the worship of Allah. The act of charity is deemed to be one of the most favourable acts in Islam. Allah and his Prophet Muhammad (SAW) mentioned time and time again that the act of charity is great and should be perfomed on regular basis. “Protect yourself from hell-fire even by giving a piece of date as charity.” (Al Bukhari & Muslim).“The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) also said, “We (Muslims) are the last (to come) but will be the foremost on the Day of Resurrection.” The narrators of this hadith said (to man),’Spend (in charity), for then I will compensate you (generously).” (Bukhari Shareef).
To me, witnessing people bashing others for what they choose to do with thir money was hypocritical
What is happening nowadays is that some imbecile folks are trying to become heroes on the social media in the name of this charity to poor and helpless and have ended up doing it with wrong intentions. They are taking wrong advantage of their poorness and this charity is mere for publicity purposes which is indubitably an anathematizing act. Some have thirst for political gains and some for other greedy things but in all this they are forgetting that they are defaming the one whom they are contributing and helping. If this can be called as charity and helping the poor & deserving then I will surely like to say “SHAME’ to such commiseration. But on other hand the poor are helpless and they can’t deny the fake sympathy. Real charity does not come with a name tag. Those who want to truly help, do so anonymously, without putting their name and pictures on social media. A man who gives charity and hides it, so that his left hand does not know what his right hand is doing, is quintessentially a person who cares more about helping other people with good deeds than what other people think of his good deeds. Don’t be always ready to share it on the various social media platforms. Do it for the sake and in the name of Allah. In today’s era (Corona lockdown) there are lot of families who are getting affected because of this lockdown and lack food and other essential materials needed for day-to-day life, but cannot come in open. It is onus responsibility of all of us to come forward in this pandemic and help such families without keeping in mind any political or other advantage and do it in the name of Allah because Allah loves the one who gives charity but still remains obscure and uncelebrated. Let me mention here that one can give charity via publicly also as long as one is aware of their intentions and behavior.
A man should fear when he enjoys only the good he does publicly.Is it not,publicity rather than charity, which he loves ? Is it not vanity, rather than benevolence, that gives such charities? ~Henry Ward Beecher
This article should inspire to reflect on our footprint in the world and how much we are doing for others for the sake of Allah. When we serve the creation, we are serving Allah. May Allah allow us all to be forthcoming in helping others and being leaders in kindness, compassion and empathy? Aameen!
(The author is an amateur columnist. Views are his own, [email protected])
