Giving charity is a virtuous and honorable act of kindness and, for some, devotion to God.
Charity can be in the form of financial payments, but it can also be simple actions of kindness and support to family, friends, neighbors, people experiencing homelessness or your local community.
Here are some reasons why you should incorporate charity into your lifestyle:
1. It makes you feel good.
Giving charity to others and helping others has been proven to increase activity in the brain that creates happy hormones, which is why you feel good after helping someone else!
So, try giving to charity and see how it makes you feel!
2. It helps to make a difference.
There are many charitable causes, some local, some national and some global, but all can make a difference in the world. By supporting charities or donating to charities, you can help them to make a difference – no matter if it’s big or small.
For example, by supporting a local soup kitchen or food bank, you could help to support the people in your local community. Although this is not on a global scale, your community and the recipients will greatly benefit from your help.
3. It sets a good example for others.
You may want to set a good example for your children, nieces, nephews, or younger cousins, and supporting others and giving to charity, will encourage them to do the same.
To set the example, it can be good to involve them, perhaps by giving them some money to put into a donation bucket, by giving out food to people experiencing homelessness with them, or by taking them along to community and charity events.
4. It creates a sense of unity.
Giving charity can help the recipients to know that they are cared for and loved by others, even if they don’t feel like they are. There are many people around the world, including orphans, who are alone and in need to support. Through orphan sponsorship or by donating to help orphans, you can help to make their life a little brighter. Children deserve to have a childhood full of fun, so by donating; you can be the means of their happiness and provide food, water, education, and other essentials.
Giving charity also creates unity between those giving to charity together, such as fundraising teams and friends and family who give charity together.
5. It helps you follow religious practices.
In most religions and cultures, giving charity by helping others is common and encouraged.
Muslims give charity on a regular basis, as is taught in Islam. Zakat consists of giving 2.5% of your wealth to charity once a year, while Sadaqah is a voluntary form of charity that can be given at any time. Sadaqah does not have to be financial cash donations but can be acts of kindness.
Examples of Sadaqah:
- Building a school
- Planting a tree
- Donating a wheelchair to a hospital
- Teaching beneficial knowledge
- Raising righteous children
- Building a water well
- Feeding a hungry child
- Buying a meal for a homeless person
- Caring for an animal
- Sponsoring an orphan
There are several hadiths and teachings about giving charity in Islam, including the following:
Muhammad said: “When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); a knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (for the deceased).” (Muslim)
He also said: “Charity does not in any way decrease the wealth and the servant who forgives, Allah adds to his respect; and the one who shows humility, Allah elevates him in the estimation (of the people).” (Muslim)
Muslims try to use these hadiths and other teachings of the Prophet Muhammad to live an honorable life. Giving charity is highly recommended in Islam and is done regularly by practicing Muslims.
Here are some more reasons to give charity.