God says
…. And spend on others out of what We have provided for you as sustenance,* ere there come a time when death approaches any of you, and he then says, “O my Sustainer! If only Thou wouldst grant me a delay for a short while so that I could give in charity and be among the righteous!” But never does God grant a delay to a human being when his term has come; and God is fully aware of all that you do.- Q.63:10-11
*Ar-rizq (“provision of sustenance”) applies to all that may be of benefit to
man whether it be concrete (like food, property, offspring, etc.) or abstract (like
knowledge, piety etc.). It is precisely in selfless acts of spending that true piety
comes in its full fruition.
The context of the verse lays emphasis on helping now, now that we can.
Let him who has ample means spend in accordance with his amplitude; and let him whose means of subsistence are scanty spend in accordance with what God has given him: God does not burden any human being with more than He has given him -- [and it may well be that] God will grant, after hardship, ease. -- Q.65:7
Prophet said
1. “Do not regard any good deed too humble even if it be (as small as) meeting a brother(i.e, any Muslim) with cheerful countenance’ – H: Muslim. N: Abu Zarr.
2. Sa`ad-b-Ubaidah enquired: O Messenger of God! The mother of Sa`ad has died; so which charity is best? The Prophet replied, “Water”. Then Sa`ad excavated a well and said: this is for the mother of Sa`ad.’ – H: Abu Daud and Nisai. N: Sa`ad-b-Ubaidah.
3. “A man whom God did not provide wealth or knowledge but whose (sincere)
intention is to have done the (charitable) work of such and such (benevolent rich) had he the riches (then) rewards of both are equal.” – H: Tirmizi. N: Kabshah al-Anmariy.
Quite obviously, without wealth or knowledge it was beyond him to do what he desired even if he had tried very hard for it. On the other hand if one had the ability to try; tried but could not succeed, even then the rewards will be equal.
4. Bibi Ayeshah reported that people sacrificed a goat. The Messenger of God asked, “Is there anything left (after giving away in charity).” She said: Nothing remained except the shoulder. He said, “Everything remains except the shoulder.”-- H: Tirmizi.
1. “Do not regard any good deed too humble even if it be (as small as) meeting a brother(i.e, any Muslim) with cheerful countenance’ – H: Muslim. N: Abu Zarr.
2. Sa`ad-b-Ubaidah enquired: O Messenger of God! The mother of Sa`ad has died; so which charity is best? The Prophet replied, “Water”. Then Sa`ad excavated a well and said: this is for the mother of Sa`ad.’ – H: Abu Daud and Nisai. N: Sa`ad-b-Ubaidah.
3. “A man whom God did not provide wealth or knowledge but whose (sincere)
intention is to have done the (charitable) work of such and such (benevolent rich) had he the riches (then) rewards of both are equal.” – H: Tirmizi. N: Kabshah al-Anmariy.
Quite obviously, without wealth or knowledge it was beyond him to do what he desired even if he had tried very hard for it. On the other hand if one had the ability to try; tried but could not succeed, even then the rewards will be equal.
4. Bibi Ayeshah reported that people sacrificed a goat. The Messenger of God asked, “Is there anything left (after giving away in charity).” She said: Nothing remained except the shoulder. He said, “Everything remains except the shoulder.”-- H: Tirmizi.
(The above reminds one of an old saying: What you gave, you have; what you spent, you had; what you saved, you lost.)
