By G .M. Shakir  (Advocate)

Islam has its own economical policy in which great emphasis is on spending the wealth not only for one’s own but for others especially poor and needy. Those who spend their wealth for poor and needy have not only been promised of a great reward but it has been declared an important quality of a Muslim for a successful life hereafter. The Quran declares “and in there wealth the beggars and the outcast has due share”. Quran represents itself book of guidance, without any doubt “for those who ward of (evil). Hence it is necessary for obtaining the guidance from this book one must be Mutaqi.At the same time the Mutaqi has been defined having the quality of spending their wealth for others among other qualities. Quran define Mutaqi “… and spend of that what we have bestowed on them”.

The same definition has been given in detail in the Chapter 2 nd . For getting the guidance from this book one must have this quality. Taqwa is what is object and aim of a Muslim throughout his life, and in order to attain it, he must not only spend but also spend that which is dare to him. Not that which is rejected and if the same is offered to him he will not accept it. Quran says so “and seek not the bad (with intent) to spend that of (in charity) when ye would not take it for yourself but with disdain”. This verse lays down a clear-cut formula regarding what to spend for the poor.what is loved for accepting is to be given and not what is disliked for taking. To get good one is supposed to spend good for poor and needy. Quran provides “and what ever good things ye spend it will be repaid to you in full and ye will not be wronged”.a great reward has been promised to those who spend their wealth for the deserving persons .This reward is not confined in the next world but they will be rewarded here also “if ye lend to Allah a good loan , he will double for you and forgive you”. Hence doing of the act shows that the person is fortunate who spend his wealth for others and there is no doubt regarding his success .His success is guaranteed by the Allah is Quran. “Successful are believers … and who are payers of poor due “. Spending for the poor has been promised of a reward and if it is not done punishment is sure.

This is the reason of declaring the wealth as a temptation. Quran declares “your wealth and children are only temptation, with Allah is an immense reward.” In the Quran the Arabic word “fitna”has been used which means something used for testing a person. Wealth is also test like children, if spend properly leads to success, is not spent as per the dictates of Allah, total failure.the Quran has declared the punishment of not spending the wealth properly in the following words.”and let not those who hoard up that which Allah hath be stowed upon them of his bounty that is better for them .Nay it is worse for them,that which they hoard will be their collar on the day of resurrection ”.and again the dire consequences are for those “Who hath gathered wealth (for this world)and counted. He thinketh his wealth will make him immortal. Nay, but he will be flung in consuming one.” Spending the wealth for others is very difficult job but it is desired act. Spending of health has been made obligatory in some cases.for instance Zakat which is to be paid when a specific amount of cash /gold or silver or other things equal to its price is with a person, surplus for one year.

Similarly payment of alms at the end of Ramdhan technically called Sadqa Fiter has been made obligatory. Sadqa Fitter is an obligation to give a certain measure of grains or its value to needy and poor. So that the have nots shall be able to feed themselves on the day of Eid and society as a whole may be enjoying the Eid without the worry, to poor, of provisions of this day of pleasure.This is to be given without any consideration/reproach or injury.The Quran says” O ye who believe, render not vain your alms given with reproach and injury, like him who spend his wealth only to be seen by men.”.Accordng to this verse not only consideration makes alms giving vain but reproach and injury also, not only, diminish the benefit, but also make the alms in vain. Similarly in order to get the benefit from Allah, of alms, one must not make show of it. This deviation is caused with the intention to get oneself called generous in society. Another deviation is reproach which means getting some favor or respect from poor and needy, or at least the person shall not be opposed by poor man by remembering the favor done to him.

The injury is caused when the poverty and financial strains of a person are exposed in public, at the same time generosity is known to society by the word like “this man is living on my alms etc”. Such statements as lowers a person’s economical prestige is injurious.these vices are to be completely eradicated in order to get something from Allah.The Quran has declared “those who spend their wealth for the cause of Allah and afterwards make no reproach to follow that which they have spent their reward is with their lord and there shall come no fear upon them, nither shall they grieve”. It has been also held that a kind word with forgiveness is better than alms given, followed by injury. The kind word is to be spoken when one has no means to help the needy and beggars and forgiveness comes into picture when the beggar harasses and sticks to his demand in the result one gets irritated by the behaviour of the beggar. These directions apply to all kinds of alms including sadqa-fiter.

The payment of the alms at the end Ramdhan is very essential, as can not be delayed or stopped. It is an obligatory duty as per Abu-Dagwood “prophet (S.A.W) has made payment of alms at the end of the Ramadan obligatory which washes away the stains of vain and sex related discussions from the fasts and food is provided to the poor and needy.”Besides there is almost no exception and all young and old, male and female, rich and poor have to pay it as has got announced by the Prophet (SAW) by sending a man in lanes and streets “be aware the Sadqa-fiter is enjoined upon every Muslim male and female, slave or free,young and old”Tthis is to paid when a person is having provision for more than a day.This is not only payable by who observe the fasts but who do not observe the fasts due to some valid excuse has to pay this. Even in some cases they have to pay more. Payment of the sadqa-fiter is to be made by a person himself but the elder and guardian has to pay it on the behalf of children and slave also. Ibni Omar (R.a) used to pay it on behalf of his slaves and his sons (major and minor). Giving of sadqa-fitar becomes due after the sunset of last day of the fasts and may be given before leaving for the prayers of Eid. One who gives it before Eid prayers, pays Sadqa Fitter and who gives after Allah will reward payers but the Sadqa-fitar shall not be deemed have been paid.

Similarly it can be given one or two days before the Eid. Who is entitled to receive poor due. Quran declares “the alms are for the poor and needy and those who collect them and those who are to be reconciled and to free the captives and the debtors and for the cause of Allah and the way farer, a duty imposed by Allah, allah is knower, wise”.this verse gives an idea as to how and for whom the alms are to be spend. At the same time chapter 2 ND of the Quran says “(alms are) for the poor who are straitened for the cause of Allah, who cannot travel in the land (for trade).the unthinking man accounteth them wealthy because of the restrain.thou shalt know them by there mark they don’t beg of men with importunity. And what so ever good thing ye spend. Lo! Allah knowth it”.